a few regulars

at the Mere, last Saturday, 07.04.2007

they may seem a little dull, but they all please the eye.
look closely, look at the subtle colours and patterns in the plumage.
































top to bottom: Wren, Long Tailed Tit, Dunnock.

I don't believe it!

Someone has stolen the fritillaries! Ah, a short but beautiful life.......

Luckily Steve managed to capture them on camera before their rapid demise. Pictured here are photos taken recently by Keith: Wren, Blue Tit and Canada Goose.

Sunday 8th April

more visitors than usual for a Sunday.... probably because the local DIY stores were closed!

marsh marigold

and fritillary in abundance (at least six)

it must be spring

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

nightsight

using a bit of artistic licence, this is what could be seen at about 11.00pm on Saturday.

If only someone had reminded me that the moon (and adjacent star) are moving targets!

first contribution!

First a view of the site from the old railway route footpath/cycleway.

I hope anyone familiar with this view is able to cope with the lack of seating!

Experienced spotters will be able to identify the Sandy Glover amongst this flock of resident species seen on site mid January..............

... and patience is rewarded with a closer view...

A few members of the Wicket Brood Morris have also been seen performing early spring rituals ...

and they are not just pointing

out each other's inadequacies...

This rare breed is generally migratory and only seen briefly on site in January. Watch this space for the more unusual sightings.

Entertaining birdwatching book

Although strictly this is not a sighting, it is sightings related. Simon Barnes' book is entertaining and informative. Here is a bit I like:

He talks about jizz recognition (this is something I can do with herons) - 'But looking and absorbing the shapes and sizes and movements of a bird is how you begin to get the hang of them. From the chaos of biodiversity comes a pattern and from the pattern comes the beginning of an understanding. You acquire the skill of jizz recognition simply by looking at birds you have already identified; because you see, identification is the beginning not the end of the process, and that is why birdwatching, good and bad, is the exact opposite of trainspotting'