Totally Unrelated

Saturday, May 9th 2015

As spring moves forward slowly there are more and more and even more species and views to be photographed, so choosing what to put on the blog can be tricky.  After deliberation the field was narrowed down, but with little to make a cohesive story, so hence the blog title 'Totally Unrelated'.

This time of year is extremely busy for the bird ringers, as on many evenings they are out checking bird boxes on the training area.  If the chicks are old enough then they are ringed but often the larger chicks can have their ring fitted, but a return to the box is needed, to ring the smaller chicks.  There is a narrow window of time when the Tawny Owl adult can be caught at the box.  This requires stealth and skill, but if caught then a great deal of data can be gained, as has already been reported on the blog.  Once the chicks are old enough to keep themselves warm the adult owls only return with food.

The welfare of the birds is always paramount, but whilst the chicks are returned to the nest there is time for a photograph of the adult and the amazing beauty of the Tawny Owl can be appreciated.

Tawny Owls are usually the first birds to have their young, followed by the Jackdaws and Kestrels.  A nest of Kestrel chicks has been found. One egg was still to hatch and as they were so young the box will be returned to in a few days time.

Whilst out on the training area this morning the ringers were lucky to see a Green Hairstreak Butterfly.  Although this is a widespread species, it often occurs in small colonies and has undergone local losses in several regions.

Early Purple Orchids have been reported on other sites but so far none had been recorded at Foxglove, but success, they have not disappeared, they have just been shy!

On leaving the reserve, just after the wooden sign, lift your eyes from the road, probably best to stop the car first!  You will be rewarded with an Apple tree in full blossom.

Whilst some flowers are in full bloom and some still in bud, those that flowered early in the spring are now setting seed.  This is a  Coltsfoot seed head.

First - 'And finally'.  Walking around the reserve a Roe Deer Buck was observed. Looking carefully at the shape of his antlers, there is a possibilty that this is a yearling buck. He was very co-operative and stayed still to have his photograph taken before melting away into the undergrowth.

Second 'And finally'.  As can be imagined after the heavy rain last night most plants were covered in water droplets.  This droplet opens up another little world.

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