Monday, 25 April 2011
Ashdown Forest Fire
We visited Ashdown Forest this afternoon to get some wildlife photographs and early this evening went for a walk in The Old Lodge Nature Reserve. At about 7:00pm it was apparent that there was a fire quite nearby. The most likely cause of fires on Ashdown Forest is either carelessness or arson, which in either case is very sad as it destroys the habitat of many wild animals, and may also cost the lives of many as well. The flames of the fire could be seen rising higher than some tall conifers.
Dunnock
Dunnock
Prunella modularis
A beautiful Dunnock seen at Pulborough Brooks yesterday.
Prunella modularis
A beautiful Dunnock seen at Pulborough Brooks yesterday.
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| Dunnock - Nikon 200-400 f4, 1/500th ISO 200 |
Friday, 22 April 2011
Lesser Whitethroat
Lesser Whitethroat
Sylvia curruca
On our visit to Pulborough Brooks this week we managed to get a fairly good view of a Lesser Whitethroat and a few glimpses of Whitethroats who are back!
Sylvia curruca
On our visit to Pulborough Brooks this week we managed to get a fairly good view of a Lesser Whitethroat and a few glimpses of Whitethroats who are back!
Peregrine Falcon
Peregrine Falcon
(Falco peregrinus)
Visited Pulborough Brooks this week and while looking for somewhat smaller birs including warblers to photograph, my saw this Peregrine Falcon flying by with its prey tightly gripped. Not the best of photographs technically but my first photograph of a Peregrine of any note.
(Falco peregrinus)
Visited Pulborough Brooks this week and while looking for somewhat smaller birs including warblers to photograph, my saw this Peregrine Falcon flying by with its prey tightly gripped. Not the best of photographs technically but my first photograph of a Peregrine of any note.
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| Peregrine Falcon at Pulborough Brooks April 2011 |
Wednesday, 6 April 2011
Firecrest
Firecrest
Latin name
Regulus ignicapillus
Family
Warblers and allies (Sylviidae)
Overview
This tiny, restless jewel of a bird vies with the goldcrest for the title of the UK's smallest bird. It is now an established breeding species, although only in very small numbers. It differs from a goldcrest in having brighter green upperparts, whiter underparts and a fiery orange crown stripe with broad whitish eyebrow stripe, and below that a short black stripe through the eye. Its small breeding population makes it an Amber List species.
Where to see them
Breeds mainly in south-east England and passage birds are seen largely on the east and south coasts. Best looked for in bushes and trees, especially conifers, often in the company of goldcrests.
When to see them
All year round, but passage birds arrive in September and October, with a return movement in March and April.
What they eat
Insects and spiders
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| Firecrest at Arundel 8th February 2011 |
Latin name
Regulus ignicapillus
Family
Warblers and allies (Sylviidae)
Overview
This tiny, restless jewel of a bird vies with the goldcrest for the title of the UK's smallest bird. It is now an established breeding species, although only in very small numbers. It differs from a goldcrest in having brighter green upperparts, whiter underparts and a fiery orange crown stripe with broad whitish eyebrow stripe, and below that a short black stripe through the eye. Its small breeding population makes it an Amber List species.
Where to see them
Breeds mainly in south-east England and passage birds are seen largely on the east and south coasts. Best looked for in bushes and trees, especially conifers, often in the company of goldcrests.
When to see them
All year round, but passage birds arrive in September and October, with a return movement in March and April.
What they eat
Insects and spiders
Marsh Tit
Marsh Tit
Latin name
Poecile palustris
Family
Tits (Paridae)
Overview
Not distinguished from the willow tit as a separate species until 1897, the marsh tit is smart, clean looking bird with a small, well defined black bib and glossy black cap. As with so many woodland birds, its call is the best way of locating it. It feeds acrobatically and will hoard food if it finds a good supply. Recent population declines make this a Red List species.
Where to see them
Occurs across England and Wales, with a few in southern Scotland. It is most abundant in S Wales and southern and eastern England. Found largely in deciduous woodland, also copses, parks and gardens, but it is quite scarce in urban areas. When feeding it ranges from between the upper canopy to lower undergrowth.
When to see them
All year round.
What they eat
Insects and seeds
Poecile palustris
Family
Tits (Paridae)
Overview
Not distinguished from the willow tit as a separate species until 1897, the marsh tit is smart, clean looking bird with a small, well defined black bib and glossy black cap. As with so many woodland birds, its call is the best way of locating it. It feeds acrobatically and will hoard food if it finds a good supply. Recent population declines make this a Red List species.
Where to see them
Occurs across England and Wales, with a few in southern Scotland. It is most abundant in S Wales and southern and eastern England. Found largely in deciduous woodland, also copses, parks and gardens, but it is quite scarce in urban areas. When feeding it ranges from between the upper canopy to lower undergrowth.
When to see them
All year round.
What they eat
Insects and seeds
Dunlin
Dunlin
Latin name
Calidris alpina
Family
Sandpipers and allies (Scolopacidae)
Overview
The commonest small wader found along the coast. It has a slightly down-curved bill and a distinctive black belly patch in breeding plumage. It feeds in flocks in winter, sometimes numbering thousands, roosting on nearby fields, saltmarshes and shore when the tide is high.
Where to see them
Breeds in the uplands of Scotland, Wales and England. Greatest numbers found on the Western and Northern Isles and the Flow Country of Caithness and Sutherland in scotland, in the Pennines in England. Found on all UK estuaries with largest numbers in winter.
When to see them
All year round on the coast. On breeding grounds from April to July.
What they eat
Insects, snails and worms.
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| Dunlin - Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve 19th March 2011 |
Latin name
Calidris alpina
Family
Sandpipers and allies (Scolopacidae)
Overview
The commonest small wader found along the coast. It has a slightly down-curved bill and a distinctive black belly patch in breeding plumage. It feeds in flocks in winter, sometimes numbering thousands, roosting on nearby fields, saltmarshes and shore when the tide is high.
Where to see them
Breeds in the uplands of Scotland, Wales and England. Greatest numbers found on the Western and Northern Isles and the Flow Country of Caithness and Sutherland in scotland, in the Pennines in England. Found on all UK estuaries with largest numbers in winter.
When to see them
All year round on the coast. On breeding grounds from April to July.
What they eat
Insects, snails and worms.
Lesser Redpoll
Lesser Redpoll
Latin name
Carduelis cabaret
Family
Finches (Fringillidae)
Overview
The lesser redpoll is a small brown streaked finch with a distinctive red forehead, small black bib and, in breeding males, red upper chests. This contrasts with largely pale under parts (streaked on the flanks). Its UK breeding population has declined and it is on the Red List. They are often found in flocks, occasionally with siskins. It has recently been split from the common or mealy redpoll, a larger and paler species.
Where to see them
A widespread breeding species in Scotland, northern and eastern England and Wales. It is less common in central, southern and south-west England as a breeding species, but does occur in these places in winter. Look in birch and alder woods.
When to see them
All year round, but commoner in the north in summer and in the south in winter.
What they eat
Seeds, especially birch and alder
Carduelis cabaret
Family
Finches (Fringillidae)
Overview
The lesser redpoll is a small brown streaked finch with a distinctive red forehead, small black bib and, in breeding males, red upper chests. This contrasts with largely pale under parts (streaked on the flanks). Its UK breeding population has declined and it is on the Red List. They are often found in flocks, occasionally with siskins. It has recently been split from the common or mealy redpoll, a larger and paler species.
Where to see them
A widespread breeding species in Scotland, northern and eastern England and Wales. It is less common in central, southern and south-west England as a breeding species, but does occur in these places in winter. Look in birch and alder woods.
When to see them
All year round, but commoner in the north in summer and in the south in winter.
What they eat
Seeds, especially birch and alder
Great black-backed Gull
Great black-backed Gull
Latin name
Larus marinus
Family
Gulls (Laridae)
Overview
A very large, thick-set black-backed gull, with a powerful beak. Adults are blacker than the smaller lesser black-backed gull. It has a heavy flight and can look quite hunched when perched. It will fight off other gulls and chase them to snatch food.
Where to see them
Found around the coasts in the breeding season. At other times of year it can be found wherever gulls congregate - at reservoir roosts, rubbish tips inland, and bays and harbours.
When to see them
All year round - found inland most in winter.
What they eat
Omnivorous - shellfish, birds and carrion.
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| Great black-backed Gull 2nd April 2011 - Pagham Harbour West Sussex |
Latin name
Larus marinus
Family
Gulls (Laridae)
Overview
A very large, thick-set black-backed gull, with a powerful beak. Adults are blacker than the smaller lesser black-backed gull. It has a heavy flight and can look quite hunched when perched. It will fight off other gulls and chase them to snatch food.
Where to see them
Found around the coasts in the breeding season. At other times of year it can be found wherever gulls congregate - at reservoir roosts, rubbish tips inland, and bays and harbours.
When to see them
All year round - found inland most in winter.
What they eat
Omnivorous - shellfish, birds and carrion.
Mute Swan
Mute Swan
Latin name
Cygnus olor
Family
Swans, ducks and geese (Anatidae)
Overview
The mute swan is a very large white waterbird. It has a long S-shaped neck, and an orange bill with black at the base of it. Flies with its neck extended and regular slow wingbeats. The population in the UK has increased recently, perhaps due to better protection of this species. The problem of lead poisoning on lowland rivers has also largely been solved by a ban on the sale of lead fishing weights. Some birds stay in their territories all year, while others move short distances and form winter flocks. In cold weather, some birds arrive from Europe into eastern England.
Where to see them
Breeds across most of the UK, other than in northern Scotland, mid-Wales and the moors of south-west England. Possible to see anywhere there is a shallow lake, or a slow-flowing rivers, even in urban areas and parks.
When to see them
All year round
What they eat
Water plants, insects and snails.
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| Two Mute Swans at Pagham Harbour 3rd April 2011 |
Latin name
Cygnus olor
Family
Swans, ducks and geese (Anatidae)
Overview
The mute swan is a very large white waterbird. It has a long S-shaped neck, and an orange bill with black at the base of it. Flies with its neck extended and regular slow wingbeats. The population in the UK has increased recently, perhaps due to better protection of this species. The problem of lead poisoning on lowland rivers has also largely been solved by a ban on the sale of lead fishing weights. Some birds stay in their territories all year, while others move short distances and form winter flocks. In cold weather, some birds arrive from Europe into eastern England.
Where to see them
Breeds across most of the UK, other than in northern Scotland, mid-Wales and the moors of south-west England. Possible to see anywhere there is a shallow lake, or a slow-flowing rivers, even in urban areas and parks.
When to see them
All year round
What they eat
Water plants, insects and snails.
Linnet
Linnet
We had a successful walk along Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve and saw Wheatears, a Cetti's Warbler, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and numerous waders! We then drove to the Nature Reserve at Sidlesham where we went for a walk and saw a couple of male Linnets and below is one of them.
Latin name
Carduelis cannabina
Family
Finches (Fringillidae)
Overview
A small, slim finch, widely distributed, and once very popular as a cage bird because of its melodious song. Males are attractively marked with crimson foreheads and breasts, females much browner. It can be flighty and has an undulating flight, usually twittering as it flies. Now it is declining, in common with many other birds which use farmland, and is a Red List species.
Where to see them
While widespread across the UK, there are concentrations along the east coast from Kent to Aberdeenshire but they are scarce in upland regions and north west Scotland. Look for it on commons, heathland, rough ground, farmland hedges, saltmarshes and in parks and gardens.
When to see them
All year round.
What they eat
Seeds and insects.
We had a successful walk along Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve and saw Wheatears, a Cetti's Warbler, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and numerous waders! We then drove to the Nature Reserve at Sidlesham where we went for a walk and saw a couple of male Linnets and below is one of them.
Latin name
Carduelis cannabina
Family
Finches (Fringillidae)
Overview
A small, slim finch, widely distributed, and once very popular as a cage bird because of its melodious song. Males are attractively marked with crimson foreheads and breasts, females much browner. It can be flighty and has an undulating flight, usually twittering as it flies. Now it is declining, in common with many other birds which use farmland, and is a Red List species.
Where to see them
While widespread across the UK, there are concentrations along the east coast from Kent to Aberdeenshire but they are scarce in upland regions and north west Scotland. Look for it on commons, heathland, rough ground, farmland hedges, saltmarshes and in parks and gardens.
When to see them
All year round.
What they eat
Seeds and insects.
Mallard
Mallard
Latin name
Anas platyrhynchos
Family
Swans, ducks and geese (Anatidae)
Overview
The mallard is a large and heavy looking duck. It has a long body and a long and broad bill. The male has a dark green head, a yellow bill, is mainly purple-brown on the breast and grey on the body. The female is mainly brown with an orange bill. It breeds in all parts of the UK in summer and winter, wherever there are suitable wetland habitats, although it is scarcer in upland areas. Mallards in the UK may be resident breeders or migrants - many of the birds that breed in Iceland and northern Europe spend the winter here.
Where to see them
It is the commonest duck and most widespread so you have a chance of seeing it just about anywhere where there is suitable wetland habitat, even in urban areas.
When to see them
All year round.
What they eat
Seeds, acorns and berries, plants, insects and shellfish.
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| Mallard Duck at Arundel March 2010 |
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| Mallard Duck at Arundel March 2010 |
Latin name
Anas platyrhynchos
Family
Swans, ducks and geese (Anatidae)
Overview
The mallard is a large and heavy looking duck. It has a long body and a long and broad bill. The male has a dark green head, a yellow bill, is mainly purple-brown on the breast and grey on the body. The female is mainly brown with an orange bill. It breeds in all parts of the UK in summer and winter, wherever there are suitable wetland habitats, although it is scarcer in upland areas. Mallards in the UK may be resident breeders or migrants - many of the birds that breed in Iceland and northern Europe spend the winter here.
Where to see them
It is the commonest duck and most widespread so you have a chance of seeing it just about anywhere where there is suitable wetland habitat, even in urban areas.
When to see them
All year round.
What they eat
Seeds, acorns and berries, plants, insects and shellfish.
Chaffinch
Chaffinch
Lovely Spring day walking around Pulborough Brooks and on the way back to the centre this lovely female chaffinch posed nicely.
Latin nameFringilla coelebs
Family
Finches (Fringillidae)
Overview:
The chaffinch is the UK's second commonest breeding bird, and is arguably the most colourful of the UK's finches. Its patterned plumage helps it to blend in when feeding on the ground and it becomes most obvious when it flies, revealing a flash of white on the wings and white outer tail feathers. It does not feed openly on bird feeders - it prefers to hop about under the bird table or under the hedge. You'll usually hear chaffinches before you see them, with their loud song and varied calls.
Where to see them
Around the UK in woodlands, hedgerows, fields, parks and gardens anywhere.
When to see them
All year round.
What they eat
Insects and seeds.
Lovely Spring day walking around Pulborough Brooks and on the way back to the centre this lovely female chaffinch posed nicely.
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| Male Chaffinch at the picnic area Pulborough Brooks 2010 |
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| Male Chaffinch - Arundel Wetland Centre July 2010 |
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| Female Chaffinch at Warnham Nature Reserve |
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| Female Chaffinch - Pulborough Brooks 5th April 2011 |
Latin nameFringilla coelebs
Family
Finches (Fringillidae)
Overview:
The chaffinch is the UK's second commonest breeding bird, and is arguably the most colourful of the UK's finches. Its patterned plumage helps it to blend in when feeding on the ground and it becomes most obvious when it flies, revealing a flash of white on the wings and white outer tail feathers. It does not feed openly on bird feeders - it prefers to hop about under the bird table or under the hedge. You'll usually hear chaffinches before you see them, with their loud song and varied calls.
Where to see them
Around the UK in woodlands, hedgerows, fields, parks and gardens anywhere.
When to see them
All year round.
What they eat
Insects and seeds.
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