Birds

29/11/15

A bit more excitement today in Area's 4 & 5 a Cormorrant was battling the strong winds heading W. In with the feeding Goldfinch flock were at least 3 Siskin. Between Ripplestream Bridge and Kingfisher Bridge, was a mixed flock of Blue Tit, Great Tit & Long tailed Tit . The best bird of the morning however was a Lesser Redpoll sitting in the trees to the rear of Arthur Road.

28/11/15

In Area 5 a pair of Mallard were on the pond before being flushed by a dog who jumped in for a swim. A Grey Heron was also seen feeding on the Emm between Ripplestream Bridge and Dragonfly Bridge.

22/11/15

Not a lot to report today in Area 5 a female Blackcap was feeding on Rowan berries in a neighbours garden and a flock of approx 70 Wood Pigeons were heading S.

21/11/15

Highlights of my wanderings in Area 4 & 5 on a windy morning were a Grey Heron flying from the Emm followed by 2 Mallard that had been flushed by a dog walker. A Grey Wagtail feeding by Kingfisher Bridge,2 Red Kite and a Buzzard struggling in the wind.

20/11/15

Paul Bright-Thomas was in his Area 4 garden watching the skies this morning and saw a Lesser Redpoll , 2 singing Song Thrush,2 Siskin high heading SE, 2 Linnet going NW and a Brambling high moving SE.

13/11/15

A visit to Area 10 at lunchtime, produced 20 Fieldfare, a solitary Siskin with Goldfinch. A Magpie was filling itself up on berries from the Spindleberry bush.

12/11/15

On the pond in Area 5 today a pair of Mallard were seen by Pat Taylor.

09/11/15

In another morning spent "eyes to the skies" in his Area 4 garden, Paul Bright-Thomas had a Cormorant flying SW, a Stock Dove in a display flight, 5 Siskin heading W, 11 Fieldfare over in several small groups,13 Herring Gull and 50 Wood Pigeon heading SE. the first significant flock of the autumn.

08/11/15

A Mistle Thrush was enjoying the view from a neighbours TV aerial this morning.

07/11/15

Todays very wet start to the day meant birds were confined to those in the garden on my feeders were Great Tit, Blue Tit, Chaffinch and Goldfinch flying over were Wood Pigeon, Carrion Crow and a soggy lookingRed Kite .

07/11/15

Over his Area 4 garden this morning Paul Bright-Thomas had a Song Thrush, 2 Goldcrest, 3 Fieldfare, 10 Redwing and a Moorhen on the Emm Brook.

03/11/15

A Bullfinch was seen in Area 4 by Paul Bright-Thomas .

Insects

21/11/15

In Area 4 this morning a Flesh Fly Sarcophaga sp was sunning itself on a Lombardy Poplar near Kingfisher Bridge. Known as Flesh Flies, these are large flies, usually with a chequered grey and white abdomen and often with large red eyes. It is almost impossible to tell the species apart from their outward appearance and many can only be reliably identified by microscopic examination of the male's genitalia. This is not a job for me. Attracted to light later in the day was the Plume moth Amblyptilia acanthadactyla .Their thin body and 'T' shape make the Plume Moth unique. Their wings have the appearance of a bird's plume (feathers) and when at rest, the moth rolls both wings into a rod shape. The result is an unusual profile for a moth. When perched they resemble a vintage propellor airplane There are two generations, with moths on the wing in July and again from September onwards, flying after hibernation until May.

03/11/15

In Area 5 Common Wasp Vespula vulgaris can still be seen hunting for nectar, from the few remaining flowers.

Other Wildlife

Mammals

13/11/15

In Area 10, at about lunch time a Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus was seen to the rear of the junior Rangers Area at Dinton Pastures.

08/11/15

With the leaves dropping off the trees in Area 5 Grey squirrel Sciurus carolinensis are becoming more visible.

Fungi

13/11/15

In Area 10, a fairly fresh looking Sulphur Tuft Hypholoma fasciculare was seen growing from an Ash tree.

Molluscs

Fish/ Crustacean

Plant/Trees

18/11/15

In Area 5 in a Maple tree, is Mistletoe Viscum album , all mistletoes are, of course, parasitic on trees. Despite needing trees mistletoe is not generally a woodland or forest plant, preferring its hosts in open situations with plenty of light around the tree

Why do leaves change colour in the Autumn click here Autumn leaves