Large Red Damselfly

My first encounter with Damselflies this year. It was sadly in Wales and not around the doors but fantastic nontheless. Pictured is a female Large Red taken at Cors Caron which has 16 species of Dragonfly and Damselfly that inhabit the bog.

Dont forget to double click

Snake in the grass

While away on holiday in Wales i bumped into this fella while visiting Cors Caron a raised bog just outside Tregaron, Ceredigion.

(Double click does the trick)
Absolutely stunning. Laying in the sunshine for a few minutes before slithering off under the boardwalk.

 

Come on you Reds

Stood watching and listening to a couple of brace of Red Grouse on Bulbeck Common a couple of miles out of Blanchland while out walking with Mr. Cheviot on Thursday. They came out with some amazing sounds and just look at those wattles gorged with blood!   Double click does the trick

I had read somewhere that the males were more approachable in spring while defending their breeding patch from other males. This proved to be the case.

Here is an image of a common fungi we sat beside while having our bait on the edge of Slaley Forest.

Trametes Versicolour looking rather dapper in the spring sun.

Prestwick Tawny.

A visit to Prestwick Carr has been long overdue and what a brill visit it was.
The light wasn't too bad early on, much better than the forecast had predicted and the 5 Wheatears standing equidistant in the horses field looked quite simply superb. Just behind in the next field, close to the fence 30 odd Golden Plover, most in breeding plumage were nothing short of stunning. A fantastic start. I had only been here some 10 minutes. In that short time i had already heard 3 Willow Warblers and many more were to follow on the track leading up to the sentry boxes. I reckon i heard over 30 while heading up and only 10 on the way back, possibly due to the deterioration in the weather. Loads of Chaffinches were seen and heard also.
I arrived opposite the horizontal tree in front of the derelict building and clocked the Tawny Owl immediately. I was very surprised as i saw the bird last year and it took me ages to locate. It was roosting so there wasn't too much action but i stood and admired it for over an hour. Trying to capture it on my camera proved difficult due to the branches and foliage but i ended up with 2 images i was reasonably happy with. I headed up to sentry box number 2 but it was quite quiet. The cloud cover was thickening and there was light drizzle falling intermittently. A pair of Yellowhammers appeared overhead in a tree nearby and brightened up what was slowly becoming a drab morning.
Although it was bright early on there was a chill in the air and no butterflies were seen.

      Tawny Owl

      Chaffinch

      Cowslips.

Don't forget to double click on images.

  

 

Cuts bite in Gateshead

While visiting Gateshead Birders website to see what's been going on "down south" i noticed that due to the current financial situation the team at Thornley Woods are unable to purchase bird food.
Hows about the councillors cutting back on the nosh they get through at their functions/ meetings and directing some of the cash savings in the direction of Thornley. I see two positives.
Fatter birds and thinner counsellors.
A win win situation..............do i have YOUR vote.

Talk about ROBIN the poor to feed the rich!

If you happen to be heading to Thornley Woods don't forget your donation / fatballs.

Just chillin'