I was at the Reserve on Wednesday at 9 a.m. to check the small mammal traps as described in the previous post. It was another beautiful morning and I again stayed on to watch the wildlife. Here is what I saw:
Birds:
SC209694 Blue Tit; 2 x Chiffchaff again near the new pond; 2 Ravens flying over croaking; 2 pairs of Mallard on pond + solitary Mallard Duck in the weed. No ducklings today; Willow Warbler or Chiffchaff; Woodpigeon; Heron flying over; Goldfinch; Robin; Sedge Warbler heard from reed bed but not seen; Magpie; male Reed Bunting; Wren. 2 x Long Tailed Tit; male Blackcap.
SC209693 male Blackbird.
SC208694 2 x Willow Warbler; male Blackbird; Great Tit; Buzzard flew up and circled.
SC209695 Wren; Goldfinch; Blue Tit; Chaffinch.
SC208695 Chiffchaff; Sparrowhawk flew through at speed.
Butterflies:
SC209694 Red Admiral.
SC209694 2 x Peacock ( courting mode - they flew off together without mating)
SC209695 Small Tortoiseshell.
SC208694 Speckled Wood.
SC210694 Peacock.
Other:
SC208694 3 x Hare's foot Inkcap fungi ( very pleased to see these appear through new slate chippings)
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| 4 Mallards on the pond |
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| this female made no move to join them |
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| Chiffchaff |
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| singing its heart out |
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| Chiffchaff |
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| Buzzard circling above reserve |
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| a few more photos of the same bird |
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| Goldfinch |
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| and another elsewhere |
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| Reed Bunting |
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| they are handsome birds |
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| he obligingly stayed long enough for several photos |
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| two chirps and a trill! |
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| Red Admiral warming up in the sunshine |
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| Speckled Wood |
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| Small Tortoiseshell |
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| Two Peacocks courting |
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| I watched for sometime |
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| I thought they were about to mate |
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| beautiful butterflies |
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| but then at the last minute |
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| they left the dandelions and flew off up into the trees |
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| the fungi are very camouflaged on the chippings |
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| Inkcaps |
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| they are delicate and don't last many days |
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| Marsh Marigolds in all their glory |
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| Progress from the day before |
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| the concrete now set |
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| back to reality! |
