blue green algal blooms

01.07.09

sounds pleasant, but is a foul smelling algae.

We seem to get it every year, but this year it is turning nasty.
What else can you expect when temperatures reach the thirties?

I was prompted to include this as there was a BBC report on it's dangers just today.
Basically, don't go near it.
Jack and myself were wondering if some sort of analysis could be done, good old BBC.

It starts off green, then turns black and nasty (and smelly), the flies love it.
Also there seem to be purple bits too.

hardy aren't they?

snowdrops that is.

27.01.09
here is a picture taken before the recent snowfall.

I looked at the spot where the snowdrops stood during the snow, and all there was to see, was . .
. . snow, indeed, they must have been squashed by the weight.

12.02.09
Once the snow had cleared, what do we see?
You guessed it, snowdrops, seemingly little troubled by the conditions.

12.02.09
caught the song thrush again, so nice to see, and hear of course.

12.02.09
recently blue tits have been showing signs of interest in the nestboxes, I backed away from them to avoid interrupting them at this critical point in their year.

12.02.09
showing well, a blackbird

12.02.09
a robin, always charming, picking up seeds under the feeders.

butterflies are go

Sunday 30.03.08
the newly planted butterfly meadow area next to the hide,
has proved itself a success, so early in the year too.



comma perched on "honesty"

comma perched on a perenniel wallflower

peacock sunbathing on a stone

fritillaries appear again.
how long will they last this year??

Reserve Manager's report

Walking around the Reserve today in the glorious February sunshine, I counted 23 species of bird. I won't name them all, but the more interesting sightings were as follows.

Water Rail feeding at the water's edge
Kingfisher
Grey Wagtail - on main bridge
Heron
Pair of Coots in 'courting' mode
Small flock of Siskins in the Alder trees in the 'Sanctuary'
Jay
Long-tailed tits on birdfeeder

Woodpeckers were heard but not seen.

Several small fish were seen in the main lake.

On the flora side:
Snowdrops, Sweet Violets, Marsh Marigolds and Daffodils are in bloom
Hazel and Alder trees have catkins

Blossom

The blossom is out. Notice the tiny orange caterpillar eggs on the leaf at the bottom.

Today - had first sighting of a Brimstone butterfly.

There are also three Grey Wagtails on the Reserve.

Violets, Primroses, Marsh Marigolds, Daffodils and Forsythia are all in flower

Spring?

Spring thinks it has sprung I reckon.
Yesterday two Grey Wagtail were chasing

each other all over the site.

Today I saw only one.

Hope this does not mean none tomorrow!

Also, Snowdrops on the banks of the Ver

and a Wren near the Shady Place.

First snowdrops

Sunny and windy today. Saw first snowdrops near toolshed. Also a marsh marigold near the far end of the bridge. Took photos of wintry teasels and our Green Man sculpture. Returned home covered in burrs, looking as if I had been sleeping in a ditch.

Howard's report for Nov / Dec

Wildlife report
There is not much noticeable at this time of year but the bats were still in evidence in November but are probably hibernating now. The Mallard population seems to be staying at the same level (between 15 -20 birds). A Sparrowhawk is sighted regularly, along with Great Spotted Woodpeckers (who are doing a great deal of damage to one of the old pollarded willow trees). Sheila has seen a Redpoll twice but no Redwings at all this year. Still, it is early days yet. There seem to be quite a lot of cats in the area which, unfortunately will take out the bank voles, etc, but they may also help keep down the rat population, so they are a mixed blessing!

Flora
A single Marsh Marigold flowered on Xmas Eve (or was first noticed then!). This must be a record. Some of the trees are in bud – it seems as if they have only just lost their leaves.

View from 222

The view from my window today includes a bush of Hazel catkins, just north of the Shady Area, which almost glow in the dull drizzly daylight. Is this an early sighting?