The Bagsy Blog: 03/29/15

Sunday, 29 March 2015

Pictures at an Exhibition - Emerson, Lake and Palmer

Well not quiet, but more a chance to share my experiences
of yesterday via this 'extra' Post which is by way of a

PICTORIAL.

Out on the wiley, windy moors
We'd roll and fall in green.
but first of all an amendment

I can very much live with my cock-ups and foibles, but when one presents itself just moments after a Master Class on a particular subject it is a little less easy to swallow! It was only a matter of days ago an excellent image of a Tawny Pinion Moth was received which was studied gleefully. So why then when one was caught just 2 days later was it identified and published as PALE Pinion? Answers on a Post card. Anyway, this is not a Pale Pinion but a

TAWNY PINION

with the appropriate amendment having been made to that Post.

"Must Try Harder"!

It wasn't inspiration that set me off (there's never any shortage of that in Wildlife) but stood there watching and listening to 'roding' Woodcock at dusk on Thursday it was decided to confine my wandering of the following day to the nearby Heathland Habitat. Just to dwell on those enigmatic, nocturnal Waders for a moment, at that time of day their presence is firstly betrayed by a high pitched, Sonar like 'ping' followed by a prolonged quiet growl which sets their throat and flank feathers vibrating. With bills pointing ground-wards and at breakneck speed they occasionally 'fan' tail feathers and trail their legs. Good job there was no invitation to dinner that evening - I would have been Absent From Place of Duty, and we all know what that means!

WOODCOCK

image for illustration purposes without permission from Wikipedia.

Prior to that, and as announced in the Stop Press of the Last Post, there was also an afternoon highlight during a short break between wanders. Sat comfortable in Slight Return II a flash past the window had me jumping to my feet, grabbing the camera and once again heading for the Great Outdoors. There, for no more than one minute was our first

HOUSE MARTIN
of the year. It remained in flight throughout and disappeared as quickly
as it had arrived with the archive photograph again just for illustration.
Regardless of the temptations ahead, we cannot forsake the Moth Traps
even though they only contained species which have been caught previously.

COMMON QUAKER

HEBREW CHARACTER

SMALL QUAKER

EARLY GREY

YELLOW HORNED
and delayed even further at Parley Pond.
It would seem that Lightning had struck Twice as a further c2

GREYLAG GEESE

where in one of the Horse Paddocks close by.

Anyroad, we got there in the end and while the camera

doesn't do the terrain much justice, this was to be my workshop
for at least the rest of the morning.

My 4 Mates, the
GALLOWAY COWS
were already chewing their way through more Heather and Bristle Bent
Grass as the first gentle 'scratching' call of a

DARTFORD WARBLER

was heard and quickly located.

A male 'displaying' (note the slightly outstretched wings) this being
the only one of about 2 dozen shots to show this.

Calls and song were coming from all directions so what was needed

was to station the Best Bird Hide in the World strategically.
The ST'RANGE ROVER
is a perfect hide as mobile, comfortable and no annoying 'bird watchers'
waxing lyrical about the last sodding Starling they saw in Aberystwyth.
Much beneficial clearance work has been done here over the winter
period, rooting out invasive Trees and Gorse, so it was very easy to find a car park.

Having set up stall, another Dartford, then another and another.

During the full morning there were considered to have been c15
distinct and different individuals seen.

Enter the
GREENFINCH

What a large bird they look in 'display flight'.

Again just about 'puffing' its wings but the main action was missed.

MEADOW PIPIT

are now well into their display flights here.

Rising to altitude

before descending 'directly' back to earth

while extending their breasts.

Would seem the 'flocks' of

LONG-TAILED TIT

once ranging widely and numerous across the Farm

have now dispersed,

with just c2 (pair?) found here on the Heath

where previously there were a dozen or more.

Distracted momentarily, there is now a need to keep an eye on these
Aircraft Hanger Roofs
since Dave Foot pointed out the build up of Gulls there on his recent last visit.

HERRING GULL
are most numerous, but there have also been c4 Lesser Black-backed
and a single Greater Black-backed Gull showing interest.
Anecdotal evidence shows that Herring at least have bred here in the past.

During the distraction this Passenger Jet was preparing for take-off,
so we are able to bring you a
2006 - DASSAULT FALCON 2000EX

You don't go far here, even on the Heath, without a

ROBIN

being in attendance - MAGIC!

Without the foot on the accelerator there is enough motion to

get close'ish to the next bird

STONECHAT
but not as close as the Dartfords had been,

oh look, there's another!

and another
Stonechat

and another

Dartford

and another, OK that'll do!

Exiting the Heath and heading for the Sewerage Works

this was just one of c8
COMMON BUZZARD
on the wing together and at great height.
First to be heard at the new site was a very vocal, but not at all trusting