Wow! Everything has grown 2 feet, even the rabbits! The marsh is just a mass of wild flowers, with butterflys and other flying insects everywhere. I'll have to stay on the 'well-trodden' path due to the grass seeds, that seem to be attracted to Holly.
The Canada Geese family seem to have moved on, hope they all survived. The 'single parent' family of mallards are all hatched and growing fast, the female makes an excellent parent.
The marsh water levels are now back to normal and have a covering of algae and weed in places. The damselflies are all out and can be seen around the marginal ponds and water ways.
Have only covered the north end of the marsh today, will venture further afield tomorrow. Enjoyed my holiday but I must confess to wondering about what I was missing on the marsh. Good to be back.
Friday's walk.
This will be the last update for a few days. Need to sort out my IT system etc!
Got up at 0400hrs, Dawn Corus, sun just rising, stepped out of our drive and tripped over two foxes walking down the middle of the road, fortunately Holly was on her lead. They were only small so I am presuming that they were this years offspring. They looked in good condition.
Got to the Marsh and the Swifts and Swallows were already up and about. You don't realise how loud the Dawn Corus can be, especially when there is no background noise.
Was watching a group of Canada Geese, four adults and five goslings. I assume that the adults are related. The swan families were still in tact, hope it lasts. Pochard, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe on the main lake.
Watched a Kestral hovering over the railway line until it was attacked by a Swallow, not seen that before.
Lapwings still on the Scrub land, no sign of fledglings. Have watched this pair right through from courtship, I hope they are successful.
There was further signs of delinquent behavour on the marsh. Damage to a fence and 'Life Belts' removed from there posts. Fear that this behavour is only going to get worse. It needs some sort of intervention from Corus Security at the relevant times.
Got up at 0400hrs, Dawn Corus, sun just rising, stepped out of our drive and tripped over two foxes walking down the middle of the road, fortunately Holly was on her lead. They were only small so I am presuming that they were this years offspring. They looked in good condition.
Got to the Marsh and the Swifts and Swallows were already up and about. You don't realise how loud the Dawn Corus can be, especially when there is no background noise.
Was watching a group of Canada Geese, four adults and five goslings. I assume that the adults are related. The swan families were still in tact, hope it lasts. Pochard, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe on the main lake.
Watched a Kestral hovering over the railway line until it was attacked by a Swallow, not seen that before.
Lapwings still on the Scrub land, no sign of fledglings. Have watched this pair right through from courtship, I hope they are successful.
There was further signs of delinquent behavour on the marsh. Damage to a fence and 'Life Belts' removed from there posts. Fear that this behavour is only going to get worse. It needs some sort of intervention from Corus Security at the relevant times.
Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus)
I quick mention for our friendly Woodpigeon, who kindly posed for my camera.
Safe place for a nest!
This building is on the Marsh and owned by the 'Wildlife Trust', so it must be a good nest site.
Nice of them to put in an entrance for the swallows.
A Good Day!
It really was a good day. Got up to find it raining, so waited till 8:30 am when it had stopped, still overcast but no wind. It would appear to be a good time to go looking at nature. All the birds seemed to be active and vocal. The swifts and swallows were flying low and there was lots of 'miggies' for them to catch. In fact at one point, near the Fleet, the Swifts were frighteningly close, once, I actually closed my eyes waiting for a collision.
On the scrub land near the Fleet I was watching through my binoculars, the Lapwings mobbing a couple of Magpies when into my view stepped a Fox, it saw the birds but just watched for a couple of minutes. It then carried on walking across the scrub, as I followed it a Brown Hare came bounding into view, stopped and froze, I thought it was going to be lunch for the fox, but no it kept on walking. I was amazed. Had he just eaten? He disappeared only to reappear three minutes later from cover and speed heading straight for the Hare. Fortunately the Hare had enough of a start to get away, the Fox gave up quickly. Drama on the Marsh.
On the scrub land near the Fleet I was watching through my binoculars, the Lapwings mobbing a couple of Magpies when into my view stepped a Fox, it saw the birds but just watched for a couple of minutes. It then carried on walking across the scrub, as I followed it a Brown Hare came bounding into view, stopped and froze, I thought it was going to be lunch for the fox, but no it kept on walking. I was amazed. Had he just eaten? He disappeared only to reappear three minutes later from cover and speed heading straight for the Hare. Fortunately the Hare had enough of a start to get away, the Fox gave up quickly. Drama on the Marsh.
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