Tuesday, 15 November 2016

Sheep - Pink Floyd

With 8 oktas of cloud up until midnight there was never going to be
a chance of seeing the Full Moon, and even after 3 short sorties
through the early morning cloud cover remained the same.
It was only at 06:00 that we managed this rather poor record shot,
but never mind we'll certainly do better on the same pass next time!!!! 

SHEEP - Link
Hopelessly passing your time in the grassland away
Only dimly aware of a certain unease in the air
You better watch out
There may be dogs about
I've looked over Jordan, and I have seen
Things are not what they seem

Looks like the mild patch might be over as it starts getting gradually colder overnight,
so we think this may be one of the last
cluster shots of the Year. However, on the 'up side' there are a few Waterfowl
returning to the winter fold, but where are all the Northern Thrushes??
A trio of Merveille du Jour, a brace of Black Rustic
and singles of Large Wainscot (right) and ditto Dark Chestnut.
Also clinging to the outside of one of the traps was this tiny
WHITE-LIPPED SNAIL
with an even smaller
LEAFHOPPER
riding pillion.
A most interesting and informative event at one of the
Solar Panel Compounds
as Jack Street, the Shepherd, and his Crew set about 'scanning'
the pregnant Ewes. Driven singularly into the 'crush' the images are instantly
viewable with a squirt of red dye being applied to the fleece to denote the number
of foetus being carried. At my time of leaving there were several sets of 'twins' recorded
plus c3 sets of 'triplets' due at lambing next year?
With a 'blank' behind us at the Irrigation Pond things were a little
more lively at the Gravel Pit with first to show being this single
GREY WAGTAIL
while the ripples below its perch were to reveal another story.
The first returning
LITTLE GREBE
seemed to busy diving to be concerned about our presence.
A very good number of a considered dozen
COAL TIT
at the Sewerage Works Hedge which over time we have discovered,
 with a little patience,
come to feed along the chain-link fencing.
This also applies to most other small Birds.
Contrasting with the grass and looking splendid in the bright sunshine the
CHAROLAIS HEARD
next door were considered worthy of a shot or two.
A few
RED ADMIRAL
also still on the wing and the 'thousands' of dew soaked
SPIDER'S WEBS
also glistened in the Sun.
A very welcome change on the Heath as well when shortly after arrival a
DARTFORD WARBLER
was first of all heard and then
decided to poke its head above the parapet.
There were certainly 4 individuals counted but who knows how many more?
These certainly being the first photographed in many a month.
Not to be outdone,
STONECHAT
too started to show themselves
and outnumbered the Dartford's
by 5 to 1.
A second visit to the Ponds on our return threw up this female
TEAL,
with a Chiffchaff also 'calling' on this clip,

and a male
not far behind.
EntryPageviews
France
470
United States
370
United Kingdom
338
Germany
106
China
21
Estonia
20
Ireland
18
Spain
9
Poland
7
Malaysia
6