Tuesday 7 April 2020

The Young Ones - Cliff

The day started on the right note as for the second time within
half a dozen days an overflying
RAVEN
kicked off proceedings while keeping things in the 'black' the first
 COOT
had arrived on the main pond to join something just a little more
Black & White
 BLACK-HEADED GULL
Having taken over as 
Chief Chicken Wrangler
in recent weeks on the day we found amoung the usual crop a
Runt Egg
so will be able to enjoy an omelette and a half this evening!
Before heading north there was a 'pass' of the
 COASTGUARD RESCUE HELICOPTER
with it and the Police Helicopter about the only flights out of
Bournemouth International
on arrival at the 
Irrigation Pond
we immediately clapped eyes on the
New Arrivals
as the
COOT
became the first to produce young across the 
Recording Area
but stand advised,
"those being fed can very quickly become the food"
with this hungry fella
lurking in the margins
GREY HERON
On turning to leave, that is when the first Butterfly of the year showed up, a
BRIMSTONE
but not the last as 2 to 3 dozen must have been noted during the rest of the wander.
Next door at the Gravel Pit you were just about able to set your
timepiece by the arrival of the none-ringed male
MUTE SWAN
no doubt waiting for his parter to continue what they have done here for a number of years now.
Apart from that there were only the usual Moorhens, Tufted Ducks and Little Grebes
before heading off for the Solar Panel Compounds
 outside of which this
 CARRION CROW
 was finishing off the 'lining' with a combination of
Sallow Fluff and Lamb's Wool
There is lamb's wool under my naked feet
the wool is soft and warm gives off somr kind of heat
A Salamander scurries into flame to be destroyd
imaginary creatures are locked in birth by celluloid
 The Carpet Crawlers - Genasis

From the Album - The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway

A bit misty on the Heath where you could hardly see the Virgins in front of you
but this didn't appear to be detering the
Butterflies
with firstly a few
PEACOCK
 a host of 
LINNETs
 both preening and vocal, 

and yes we know we have fielded them time and time again
but just do not have the will to pass these beautifully marked birds by once in the viewfinder.
 
RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE
 Seen far, far more often than the above but the
 JAY
is far less forthcoming with a pose!
 Along with the other c2 above
SMALL TORTOISESHELL
wasadded to the 'year list' 
as was
 WILLOW WARBLER
yes the Migrants are coming slowly but surely.
A totally relaxed
ROE DEER
was not for moving as can be seen via this
clip
and finally, as if there was any more room they shipped another brace of
JUMBO JETS
into
Bournemouth International Airport