tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45587114567557539032024-03-13T12:19:40.542+00:00Wolvobirder's Nature BlogJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153815927738135757noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558711456755753903.post-13219674610054027412013-04-17T11:55:00.002+01:002013-07-28T11:19:26.196+01:00Highgate Common, Belvide and garden birds<u><b>7th to 14th April 2013</b></u><br />
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Apologies for the long absence.<br />
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I managed to get out and about a bit last week to do a spot of bird watching and grabbed some photos along the way.<br />
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WARNING! A lot of the photos you are about to see are poor quality record shots so if you were hoping to see magazine quality photos look away now (I'm talking to you Chris Packham).<br />
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However, most of the photos are still interesting despite the poor quality and are of some interesting species or interesting features on otherwise common birds. [I would normally pull out the thesaurus at this point but as you can tell I didn't bother].<br />
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Our first stop on this digital tour of last week's activities brings us to Highgate Common. Many of you should by now hopefully be familiar with this wonderful piece of Heathland (and woodland) tucked away in the south of Staffordshire.<br />
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<u>Highgate Common 7th April</u><br />
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We went for a late afternoon stroll around the northern part of Highgate Common on Sunday hoping to see some solitary bees but the weather was getting a little chilly by late afternoon and we didn't manage to see any. So we took to watching the birds instead and were attracted to the sounds of a Song Thrush (<i>Turdus philomelos</i>) singing in the tree tops.<br />
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Trying to photograph a bird from below, through twigs and branches, handheld and against an overcast sky with fading light does not a good picture make. However, given my very low expectations I was pleased with how these photos turned out. They show some good ID features and show exactly what one might see in field conditions.<br />
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Despite being underexposed (too dark), the following photo does show the contrasting buff upper breast and pale belly on Song Thrush, which might otherwise be less obvious with the correct exposure.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yPOuxZrbVR4/UW5SfOWS2TI/AAAAAAAAAr0/enYw4W5Im2Q/s1600/song-thrush-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yPOuxZrbVR4/UW5SfOWS2TI/AAAAAAAAAr0/enYw4W5Im2Q/s640/song-thrush-1.JPG" width="427" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Song Thrush (<i>Turdus Philomelos</i>)</td></tr>
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This next photo also shows off the dark ear-coverts (cheeks) as well as the same features as the above image.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bp1uACtAEq4/UW5UG2UX_RI/AAAAAAAAAr8/2gmQVs8OrS0/s1600/song-thrush-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bp1uACtAEq4/UW5UG2UX_RI/AAAAAAAAAr8/2gmQVs8OrS0/s400/song-thrush-2.JPG" width="333" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Song Thrush (<i>Turdus Philomelos</i>)</td></tr>
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You will not find these features on a Mistle Thrush, but light does play a key role in how visible these features are on Song Thrush.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GiPooNB_KYM/UW5VMTJUjRI/AAAAAAAAAsE/6t8Z9ZxSbAs/s1600/song-thrush-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GiPooNB_KYM/UW5VMTJUjRI/AAAAAAAAAsE/6t8Z9ZxSbAs/s400/song-thrush-3.JPG" width="386" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Song Thrush (<i>Turdus Philomelos</i>)</td></tr>
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Here the exposure is much better but the ear coverts look less dark and the yellow-buff breast is a little harder to see. However, if you look closely enough you can see the buff running down onto the flanks of the bird as well.</div>
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All of the above images show the typical shape of Song Thrush which is fairly short, compact and dumpy, but the next image shows a very different structure to the bird.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WveuOtsclio/UW5WynG2EnI/AAAAAAAAAsM/vcZye6p5pV8/s1600/song-thrush-4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WveuOtsclio/UW5WynG2EnI/AAAAAAAAAsM/vcZye6p5pV8/s320/song-thrush-4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Song Thrush (<i>Turdus Philomelos</i>)</td></tr>
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This is the exact same bird in exactly the same tree but notice how it's posture has changed. This more narrow, stretched out and streamlined shape is much more reminiscent of Mistle Thrush but if the birds were next to each other then Mistle Thrush would be bigger, paler and heavier chested (oooh er).</div>
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As well as Song Thrush we also saw a (Eurasian) Treecreeper (<i>Certhia familiaris</i>). I love these little birds and always enjoy catching glimpses of them in woodland.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XuYnwH1ykyg/UW5aVkDA0RI/AAAAAAAAAsU/7LyHgOJYNYU/s1600/treecreeper-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="338" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XuYnwH1ykyg/UW5aVkDA0RI/AAAAAAAAAsU/7LyHgOJYNYU/s400/treecreeper-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eurasian Treecreeper (<i>Certhia familiaris</i>)</td></tr>
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Again it is not the best photo in the world but it is the first time I have been able to photograph Treecreeper and clearly shows the slender down curved bill, small size and two tone colour. It doesn't show the characteristics that enable you to separate this from Short-toed Treecreeper but seeing as how short-toed is a rare visitor to the UK and I heard it make the distinctive calls of Eurasian Treecreeper I'm quite happy with my ID. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6TrLnLSv8t4/UW5jaB531GI/AAAAAAAAAsk/fsu9jHQ90-s/s1600/treecreeper-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="327" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6TrLnLSv8t4/UW5jaB531GI/AAAAAAAAAsk/fsu9jHQ90-s/s400/treecreeper-2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eurasian Treecreeper (<i>Certhia familiaris</i>)</td></tr>
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Rebecca found a large number of feathers in the leaf litter but I don't know what bird they came from. Any suggested ID's are most welcome (someone has already suggested pheasant as a possibility).</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2ePg8hB6Z-0/UW5fGQ-90ZI/AAAAAAAAAsc/TvtudW8tiKI/s1600/mystery-feathers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2ePg8hB6Z-0/UW5fGQ-90ZI/AAAAAAAAAsc/TvtudW8tiKI/s400/mystery-feathers.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mystery feathers found in woodland on Highgate Common</td></tr>
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<u>Belvide Reservoir 11th April</u></div>
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A friend of mine who has recently taken up bird watching had returned to the West Midlands to visit friends and family last week. We had planned to do some bird watching on Thursday but the weather wasn't great with misty conditions and the threat of rain.</div>
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Despite the weather it was my only opportunity to go bird watching while my friend was visiting that week so we took our chances and went to Belvide.</div>
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And very glad we were that we went too.</div>
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Things got off to a very good start with Nuthatch in the woods and both Brambling and Great Spotted Woodpecker showing well at the woodland feeding station.</div>
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However, wouldn't you know it, I didn't take my camera out of my rucksack until after the Great Spotted Woodpecker had gone!</div>
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I soon got my act together though and managed to get some decent photos of Brambling (<i>Fringilla montifringilla</i>).</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ob3RqUXMeHo/UW5lZ-qIjDI/AAAAAAAAAss/tf0yUhZsUXM/s1600/brambling-fem-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="538" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ob3RqUXMeHo/UW5lZ-qIjDI/AAAAAAAAAss/tf0yUhZsUXM/s640/brambling-fem-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Brambling (<i>Fringilla montifringilla</i>)</td></tr>
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I genuinely love the way that this female brambling is framed by the green branches and tree stump in the photo above. Unfortunately it can only really be appreciated as a much larger image, which is currently set as my desktop wallpaper!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qXpnId8MRq4/UW5nBSSN3fI/AAAAAAAAAs0/nkT7TY2INIU/s1600/brambling-fem-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="513" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qXpnId8MRq4/UW5nBSSN3fI/AAAAAAAAAs0/nkT7TY2INIU/s640/brambling-fem-2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Brambling (<i>Fringilla montifringilla</i>)</td></tr>
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The dark markings on the face of the bird below, coupled with the more extensive orange on the breast and make the below bird a male that is still in winter plumage and maybe a young male at that (1st winter)? My knowledge of Brambling is not great.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IuykWl198Is/UW5oEBhoT0I/AAAAAAAAAs8/WLfBVGRwD1E/s1600/brambling-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="317" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IuykWl198Is/UW5oEBhoT0I/AAAAAAAAAs8/WLfBVGRwD1E/s400/brambling-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Brambling (<i>Fringilla montifringilla</i>)</td></tr>
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The following photo is not the sharpest/most in focus you will ever see but it does show off the wing markings and white rump rather well! I also love the way that the greenish-yellow alula show up on the front of the wings like little horns.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oQAnVMb48CU/UW5rvoO5DzI/AAAAAAAAAtE/Yblcp3XoDXI/s1600/brambling-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oQAnVMb48CU/UW5rvoO5DzI/AAAAAAAAAtE/Yblcp3XoDXI/s400/brambling-2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brambling (<i>Fringilla montifringilla</i>)</td></tr>
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I don't know quite why but this male Brambling strikes me as looking rather sad. Maybe it is getting fed up of eating nothing but seeds or maybe it is tired of the long winter we have endured.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YUbbKS2xc-A/UW5sxVRN9uI/AAAAAAAAAtM/t738JfZ3aHQ/s1600/brambling-male-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="328" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YUbbKS2xc-A/UW5sxVRN9uI/AAAAAAAAAtM/t738JfZ3aHQ/s400/brambling-male-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Brambling (<i>Fringilla montifringilla</i>)</td></tr>
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In the summer months the head of the male is a lovely black in colour. Notice how this individual has more extensive black markings around the head than the other male.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2FvJCHbBRpg/UW5uSohP0-I/AAAAAAAAAtc/xdZhueClatc/s1600/brambling-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="419" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2FvJCHbBRpg/UW5uSohP0-I/AAAAAAAAAtc/xdZhueClatc/s640/brambling-3.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male and female Brambling (<i>Fringilla montifringilla</i>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pfYlhsmPuWk/UW5uScE44VI/AAAAAAAAAtU/-PWCPEHbwc0/s1600/brambling-fem-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="343" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pfYlhsmPuWk/UW5uScE44VI/AAAAAAAAAtU/-PWCPEHbwc0/s400/brambling-fem-3.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Brambling (<i>Fringilla montifringilla</i>)</td></tr>
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People often get confused between Brambling, which is a winter visitor, and Chaffinch <span style="text-align: center;"> (</span><i style="text-align: center;">Fringilla coelebs</i><span style="text-align: center;">)</span> which is present all year round but can have its population increase in winter due to visitors from other countries. </div>
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Confusion is most likely with the females, although both sexes of each species are quite distinctively different. That old saying of bird watching holds true, "you will know it when you see it". </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ksKQ9-1QXR0/UW50nm4jjCI/AAAAAAAAAt0/dB8Wje6zTnI/s1600/Chaffinch-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ksKQ9-1QXR0/UW50nm4jjCI/AAAAAAAAAt0/dB8Wje6zTnI/s400/Chaffinch-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Chaffinch (<i>Fringilla coelebs</i>)</td></tr>
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Note the completely different head colouration, bill colour and more uniform peachy orange breast/belly of the Chaffinch and the lack of any orange in the wings.</div>
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Unfortunately this individual seems to be in the early stages of suffering from that all too common problem for Chaffinches, scaly legs. According to the BTO there are a number of things that can cause scaly legs. The most likely causes here are either mites of the genus <i>Knemidocoptes</i> or the <i>Fringilla papillimavirus </i>which can also afflict Brambling (although there was no sign of infection on the Brambling I photographed). For more information on Scaly legs see <a href="http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/gbw/gardens-wildlife/garden-birds/disease/warts">BTO website</a>.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hL3-b3pqHkE/UW53ei4YeNI/AAAAAAAAAuE/JrkTBxZdx-4/s1600/Chaffinch-in-flight.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="352" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hL3-b3pqHkE/UW53ei4YeNI/AAAAAAAAAuE/JrkTBxZdx-4/s400/Chaffinch-in-flight.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chaffinch (<i>Fringilla coelebs</i>) in flight</td></tr>
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This is another poor flight photo of the same Chaffinch but it does show the green rump to good effect. As noted earlier the rump of Brambling is white not green.</div>
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Aside from all the Brambling madness, there was also a male Reed Bunting present.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jC9Qv6IrTTo/UW5v9OYTb5I/AAAAAAAAAtk/pcqDCFe9pas/s1600/male-reed-bunting.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="370" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jC9Qv6IrTTo/UW5v9OYTb5I/AAAAAAAAAtk/pcqDCFe9pas/s400/male-reed-bunting.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Reed Bunting (<i>Emberiza schoeniclus</i>)</td></tr>
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Notice the white outer tail feathers and black inner tail in this very blurry flight photo.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-va8WqbWc5NE/UW5y7OKNOmI/AAAAAAAAAts/hFyniX8DHPk/s1600/reed-bunting-in-flight.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-va8WqbWc5NE/UW5y7OKNOmI/AAAAAAAAAts/hFyniX8DHPk/s320/reed-bunting-in-flight.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Reed Bunting (<i>Emberiza schoeniclus</i>)</td></tr>
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Highlight of the visit was undoubtedly a female Common Kingfisher (<i>Alcedo atthis</i>) that came very close to the side of the Scott Hide and proceeded to catch and eat several fish. It was wonderful to see such a pretty bird so close but despite the close views I didn't manage to get any good photos as the bird moved by the time I managed to grab my camera and I was shooting through a dirty window (excuses, excuses).<br />
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You can tell that this Kingfisher is a female by the orange lower mandible. ["Hey man give us d' bill... HEY MAN, D' BILL". Probably a line never said to a waiter in the history of people saying things to waiters]. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dORKIkY7ee0/UW56NpK0SlI/AAAAAAAAAuY/dBq61QY8dn8/s1600/Kingfisher-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dORKIkY7ee0/UW56NpK0SlI/AAAAAAAAAuY/dBq61QY8dn8/s400/Kingfisher-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">Female Common Kingfisher (</span><i style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Alcedo atthis</i><span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">) note the orange lower mandible.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kUIwlc3ik1I/UW56NFlqoUI/AAAAAAAAAuM/tNeFqYEsKSA/s1600/Kingfisher-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kUIwlc3ik1I/UW56NFlqoUI/AAAAAAAAAuM/tNeFqYEsKSA/s400/Kingfisher-2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">Female Common Kingfisher (</span><i style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Alcedo atthis</i><span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">) note the orange lower mandible.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3ey2Kvkl7tI/UW56WxqjuyI/AAAAAAAAAuk/pLz58vuWox4/s1600/Kingfisher-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="317" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3ey2Kvkl7tI/UW56WxqjuyI/AAAAAAAAAuk/pLz58vuWox4/s400/Kingfisher-3.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">Common Kingfisher (</span><i style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Alcedo atthis</i><span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
There were a number of birds at the Gazebo feeding station including some lovely looking Goldfinches.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dCSAx_OVAwo/UW57-z3TsfI/AAAAAAAAAu0/9nDzb9Q1s-M/s1600/Goldfinch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="391" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dCSAx_OVAwo/UW57-z3TsfI/AAAAAAAAAu0/9nDzb9Q1s-M/s400/Goldfinch.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">European Goldfinch (<i>Carduelis carduelis</i>) </td></tr>
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We didn't stay to look for the Corn Bunting as we were feeling the cold by this point and decided to leave for a nice pub lunch instead.</div>
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<u>Garden 14th April</u></div>
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To finish off, I leave you with some photos that Rebecca took of the Siskins we have recently seen in the garden. They have been around for about a week now and are the first Siskins I have ever had in my garden! There are two males here and at least one female (top left). I can't tell what bird is bottom right but it might just be another female Siskin.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W9_zIb6tPaU/UW59LEUk_fI/AAAAAAAAAu8/ZajwV-xEd40/s1600/siskins-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="341" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W9_zIb6tPaU/UW59LEUk_fI/AAAAAAAAAu8/ZajwV-xEd40/s400/siskins-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eurasian Siskin (<i>Carduelis spinus</i>)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--u2LTa9gyBg/UW59LE0n6OI/AAAAAAAAAvA/sVsa-2k6jc4/s1600/siskins-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="392" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--u2LTa9gyBg/UW59LE0n6OI/AAAAAAAAAvA/sVsa-2k6jc4/s400/siskins-2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eurasian Siskin (<i>Carduelis spinus</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153815927738135757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558711456755753903.post-75117662875326718052012-06-25T09:17:00.002+01:002012-06-25T09:17:22.692+01:00Severn Valley Country Park 20 May 2012On Sunday the 20th of May we decided to visit the Severn Valley Country Park at Alveley in Shropshire. This is a great place to visit and I'd love to go again.<br />
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We took a steep path down from the Visitors Centre to the River Severn to where a bridge crosses the River and carries on towards Park Halt, a small halt (station) on the Severn Valley Railway.<br />
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We didn't cross the river, instead deciding to take a left turn and follow the river for a while. This takes you past a picnicking area and then into some woods called Hallclose Coppice.<br />
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The Coppice is full of old Oak trees and interesting plants associated with ancient woodland and there is at least one waterfall.<br />
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There were lots of ferns but I'm not quite there yet with my plants to take a stab at these. I'd love to go back and spend more time looking at them as I really didn't get to stop for long enough! Although if the weather stays like it is the whole place could end up under several feet of water and we'll all be getting around by boat a la Kevin Costner's Waterworld.<br />
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On some well drained gravel waste ground I found some Herb Robert and also some Common Stork's-bill.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1AhHo6p0MX4/T-gZsYEpw6I/AAAAAAAAAk4/dHItF4R3N9Q/s1600/herb-robert-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="234" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1AhHo6p0MX4/T-gZsYEpw6I/AAAAAAAAAk4/dHItF4R3N9Q/s320/herb-robert-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Herb Robert (<i>Geranium robertianum</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zyuMgvSJj7Q/T-gZwWo6VdI/AAAAAAAAAlA/RyfMBT3ttYo/s1600/unkown-pink-flower.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zyuMgvSJj7Q/T-gZwWo6VdI/AAAAAAAAAlA/RyfMBT3ttYo/s320/unkown-pink-flower.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Stork's-bill (<i>Erodicum cicutarium</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Herb Robert is quite a common weed of waste ground and I have some growing in my front garden.<br />
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Along the river bank there was some pretty Red Campion which also looked decidedly pink (I can see a theme developing here)!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rhO4LGSV0_E/T-ga0ZL0LxI/AAAAAAAAAlI/EpMzQFVI-0k/s1600/pink-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rhO4LGSV0_E/T-ga0ZL0LxI/AAAAAAAAAlI/EpMzQFVI-0k/s320/pink-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Campion (<i>Silene dioica</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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For those of you that don't like the colour pink we also found some Ramsons/wild garlic and Bugle in the coppice.<br />
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Ramsons are apparently very nice in salads and various over dishes but I can't say that I've tried them myself. I'd rather leave them in place for others to enjoy.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gOhytDosZTo/T-gcc-VQPYI/AAAAAAAAAlo/brTTlVOQJUU/s1600/ramsons-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gOhytDosZTo/T-gcc-VQPYI/AAAAAAAAAlo/brTTlVOQJUU/s320/ramsons-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ramsons (<i>Allium ursinum</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JpDbG0I5Cuo/T-gcbFfN1yI/AAAAAAAAAlg/8aJsJgpYG6o/s1600/purple.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JpDbG0I5Cuo/T-gcbFfN1yI/AAAAAAAAAlg/8aJsJgpYG6o/s320/purple.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bugle (<i>Ajuga reptans</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One curious thing we spotted which I forgot to take a photo of was either a wishing tree or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clootie_well">Celtic Clootie well</a>. This was a tree near a waterfall that had strips of cloth tied to the branches.<br />
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<br />Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153815927738135757noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558711456755753903.post-74755601349749116102012-06-05T16:11:00.001+01:002012-06-05T16:11:27.285+01:00Back to old layoutAlthough I liked the look of the new Blogger "Dynamic layout" for blogs, it didn't display a lot of the extra information I have in the sidebar of the blog and other information was hidden in a "pop-out" menu so I decided to revert to a traditional style of layout.<div>
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For example, I licence all of my photos using a Creative Commons licence but you would not know that by using the dynamical layout because that information was not displayed.</div>
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I hope you all agree with me that this format is better but any comments on preference are most welcome.</div>
</div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153815927738135757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558711456755753903.post-14566588824356513662012-05-31T15:12:00.001+01:002012-05-31T15:12:56.219+01:00May 2012 so far part II<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Going through my photos I see that I have things slightly out of order but never mind.<br />
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On the 5th of May I paid a quick visit to Kinver Edge and found some Garlic Mustard in the woodland near the Rock Houses.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cg2hq0OT6WU/T8dvmRwnPuI/AAAAAAAAAfs/CWz7wK_lZg8/s1600/flower-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cg2hq0OT6WU/T8dvmRwnPuI/AAAAAAAAAfs/CWz7wK_lZg8/s320/flower-1.JPG" width="221" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garlic mustard (<i>Alliaria petiolata</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4A5m8DE1nV8/T8dvqAJRYrI/AAAAAAAAAfw/kMOskqh_0iA/s1600/garlic-mustard.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4A5m8DE1nV8/T8dvqAJRYrI/AAAAAAAAAfw/kMOskqh_0iA/s320/garlic-mustard.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garlic mustard (<i>Alliaria petiolata</i>)<br /><br /><br />
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</tbody></table>
Then on the 12th of May I found some Sulphur Tuft and Herb Robert while doing some gardening around the front of my house.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-upemmVlYG-I/T8dwnE_yxDI/AAAAAAAAAf8/4tjP_YFspaw/s1600/mushroom-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-upemmVlYG-I/T8dwnE_yxDI/AAAAAAAAAf8/4tjP_YFspaw/s320/mushroom-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sulphur Tuft (<i>Hypholoma fasciculare var. fasciculare</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6mURxLo5YO8/T8dwo-OsLrI/AAAAAAAAAgE/z9fq_nUZ_wk/s1600/mushroom-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6mURxLo5YO8/T8dwo-OsLrI/AAAAAAAAAgE/z9fq_nUZ_wk/s320/mushroom-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sulphur Tuft (<i>Hypholoma fasciculare var. fasciculare</i>)
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5AkLqNLDk8U/T8dwqrr3pXI/AAAAAAAAAgM/AUodHTU7-j8/s1600/mushroom-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5AkLqNLDk8U/T8dwqrr3pXI/AAAAAAAAAgM/AUodHTU7-j8/s320/mushroom-3.JPG" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sulphur Tuft (<i>Hypholoma fasciculare var. fasciculare</i>)
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jPKhLZEs7iw/T8dwsT0x5QI/AAAAAAAAAgU/25TQW_Lgyq4/s1600/mushroom-4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="304" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jPKhLZEs7iw/T8dwsT0x5QI/AAAAAAAAAgU/25TQW_Lgyq4/s320/mushroom-4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sulphur Tuft (<i>Hypholoma fasciculare var. fasciculare</i>)
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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On the 13th of May we visited Highgate Common with one of my parents dogs and I found quite a few different plants as well as a pair of micro moths mating on my car when we arrived.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e5CaOuFb7Qw/T8dxzWVB6pI/AAAAAAAAAgc/LJl9KEFZKOo/s1600/Adela_reaumurella.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e5CaOuFb7Qw/T8dxzWVB6pI/AAAAAAAAAgc/LJl9KEFZKOo/s320/Adela_reaumurella.JPG" width="287" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Longhorn moths (<i>Adela reaumurella</i>)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KHT6TGjo77E/T8d7aQqwY3I/AAAAAAAAAiE/i6Tzq9s5N_I/s1600/Frankie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KHT6TGjo77E/T8d7aQqwY3I/AAAAAAAAAiE/i6Tzq9s5N_I/s320/Frankie.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frankie (<i>Canis lupus familiaris</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Field Wood-rush is quite a common plant on Highgate Common and can be seen growing amongst the various species of grass. I had found some a few weeks earlier and I went back to get some photos for confirmation.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XaqfwBaVuuA/T8dy3Zs4qcI/AAAAAAAAAgk/oq_jYB6gkK4/s1600/Luzula_campestris-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XaqfwBaVuuA/T8dy3Zs4qcI/AAAAAAAAAgk/oq_jYB6gkK4/s320/Luzula_campestris-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Field Wood-rush (<i>Luzula campestris</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sJn-dIwJGBM/T8dy5RGCekI/AAAAAAAAAgs/-6Ts5mBLEhI/s1600/Luzula_campestris-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sJn-dIwJGBM/T8dy5RGCekI/AAAAAAAAAgs/-6Ts5mBLEhI/s320/Luzula_campestris-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Field Wood-rush (<i>Luzula campestris</i>)
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fdnGnIhGcPg/T8dy7lNy6KI/AAAAAAAAAg0/hr6k-OTrlV4/s1600/Luzula_campestris-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="170" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fdnGnIhGcPg/T8dy7lNy6KI/AAAAAAAAAg0/hr6k-OTrlV4/s320/Luzula_campestris-3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Field Wood-rush (<i>Luzula campestris</i>)
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This species is rhizomatous, meaning that it can spread itself by extending a network of rhizomes (a horizontal underground root like stem) underground, with new shoots then appearing from the rhizomes. You can see this at work in the first picture with several plants within a tightly grouped area. An example of another common rhizomatous plant is bracken.<br />
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The Bluebells were still out in force in the wooded areas and formed a nice blanket of blue and white with some Greater Stitchwort.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fFjb_F4y0u0/T8d1pRrKjXI/AAAAAAAAAhA/4K7E2VD-GVc/s1600/bluebell-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fFjb_F4y0u0/T8d1pRrKjXI/AAAAAAAAAhA/4K7E2VD-GVc/s320/bluebell-1.JPG" width="279" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bluebell (<i>Hyacinthoides non-scripta</i>)<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vWWcKTuwe_s/T8d6ocXTAiI/AAAAAAAAAh8/zKb6x8M23TQ/s1600/bluebell-and-greater-stitchwort.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vWWcKTuwe_s/T8d6ocXTAiI/AAAAAAAAAh8/zKb6x8M23TQ/s320/bluebell-and-greater-stitchwort.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nzpmp7jNZQY/T8d5CF97TMI/AAAAAAAAAhs/rp_8pTyoIRE/s1600/greater-stitchwort.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nzpmp7jNZQY/T8d5CF97TMI/AAAAAAAAAhs/rp_8pTyoIRE/s320/greater-stitchwort.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greater Stitchwort (<i>Stellaria holostea</i>)</td></tr>
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These are native Bluebells and not the Spanish or hybrid Bluebells that are often found in gardens. A member of the public has gone around planting Spanish Bluebells along some of the main footpaths but this should be discouraged as it readily hybridises with our native Bluebell!<br />
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Talking of introduced species we also found a large Rhododendron in the woods. It prefers shaded areas on acidic soil and can be a pest if allowed to spread.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5wrZpSpsob0/T8d3_nPHlUI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/xd08D2-gpnI/s1600/rhododendron-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="129" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5wrZpSpsob0/T8d3_nPHlUI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/xd08D2-gpnI/s320/rhododendron-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhododendron (<i>Rhododendron ponticum</i>) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7KHXMsGDB_E/T8d4BhVKXxI/AAAAAAAAAhY/g20FYOBisY0/s1600/rhododendron-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7KHXMsGDB_E/T8d4BhVKXxI/AAAAAAAAAhY/g20FYOBisY0/s320/rhododendron-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhododendron (<i>Rhododendron ponticum</i>)
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OaV-kPmww7Q/T8d4EK8MYqI/AAAAAAAAAhg/Vx31YNNY13A/s1600/rhododendron-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OaV-kPmww7Q/T8d4EK8MYqI/AAAAAAAAAhg/Vx31YNNY13A/s320/rhododendron-3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhododendron (<i>Rhododendron ponticum</i>)
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On the woodland edge there were also some Red Campion (pink flower) in flower.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tzgYqutuRlI/T8d5E4DkwtI/AAAAAAAAAh0/dPdCAzHg8rI/s1600/red-campion.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tzgYqutuRlI/T8d5E4DkwtI/AAAAAAAAAh0/dPdCAzHg8rI/s320/red-campion.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Campion (<i>Silene dioica</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153815927738135757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558711456755753903.post-42287992966441477042012-05-18T20:26:00.002+01:002012-05-18T20:26:32.648+01:00May 2012 so far part IAfter the almost complete washout that was April 2012 I have been keen to get out in the field as often as possible in May and document as much as I can. The result so far?.. about three trips to Highgate Common (including a work party), a very short visit to Kinver Edge and a spot of gardening.<br />
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Still this was enough time for me to see some interesting looking plants and the occasional insect.<br />
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On the 8th of May I went to the regular Tuesday work party at Highgate Common. Despite the awful weather of recent weeks it just about managed to stay dry for the whole day.<br />
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The Tree Pipits were obviously ill informed about the recent weather in the UK and have arrived back en masse from Africa to sing their little hearts out from the tops of the scattered trees on the main heathland area. They were also doing their song flight display using any post, tree or tall bush as a launching platform. This behaviour is a good way to tell them apart from the Meadow Pipit and Skylark as they both begin their song flights at ground level.<br />
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Other warblers were apparent too with a large number of Willow Warblers, a few Chiffchaff, some Blackcaps and a suspected Whitethroat but no sign of the elusive Cuckoo.<br />
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The work party was tasked with clearing away any re-growth of trees that we had cut down over the winter. It was during the course of this work when I noticed this little critter, almost chopped down with the branch it was sitting on.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQObgWgMezw/T7aXpr1OUfI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/8fUEY9vVMec/s1600/caterpillar-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQObgWgMezw/T7aXpr1OUfI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/8fUEY9vVMec/s320/caterpillar-1.JPG" width="259" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drinker (<i>Euthrix potatoria</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RPox9Nkwe2A/T7aXqpTSqPI/AAAAAAAAAfY/C-TqqneS-Hk/s1600/caterpillar-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RPox9Nkwe2A/T7aXqpTSqPI/AAAAAAAAAfY/C-TqqneS-Hk/s320/caterpillar-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drinker (<i>Euthrix potatoria</i>)
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The adult is quite a distinctive looking moth and you can see it by going to the following site <a href="http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?id=2149">ukmoths.org.uk</a>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153815927738135757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558711456755753903.post-18815990490710308982012-04-15T13:16:00.000+01:002012-04-15T13:16:00.466+01:00Highgate Common 03 April 2012Whilst the rest of the Highgate volunteer work party were building some Dormouse nest boxes for the reserve, myself and another volunteer went out onto the reserve in search of some <a href="http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?bf=1643">Emperor Moths</a> (<i>Saturnia pavonia</i>). The males fly in the daytime in search of the females which fly at night. (click on link for photo).<div>
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<div>
Unfortunately we didn't find any as the weather wasn't on our side. The warm and sunny weather we had been enjoying only the week before had gone and instead we were greeted with a much cooler and greyer day which threatened rain.</div>
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It wasn't all doom and gloom though as we did find a total of four Bloody-nosed Beetles (<i>Timarcha tenebricosa</i>)! Pretty good going for the start of April and just rewards for getting absolutely drenched by a torrential downpour just moments late.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FU2wQDAtUfE/T4mTp9w5IrI/AAAAAAAAAe0/M59KxX3l6BE/s1600/bloody-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FU2wQDAtUfE/T4mTp9w5IrI/AAAAAAAAAe0/M59KxX3l6BE/s320/bloody-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Timarcha tenebricosa</span></i>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UFUN_8FXBvc/T4mTrqzJSQI/AAAAAAAAAe8/DgnYFLTLQ10/s1600/bloody-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UFUN_8FXBvc/T4mTrqzJSQI/AAAAAAAAAe8/DgnYFLTLQ10/s320/bloody-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Timarcha tenebricosa</span></i>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FxramQ7CAww/T4mTv0okwLI/AAAAAAAAAfE/qpmHWkDuJg0/s1600/bloody-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FxramQ7CAww/T4mTv0okwLI/AAAAAAAAAfE/qpmHWkDuJg0/s320/bloody-3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Timarcha tenebricosa</span></i>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153815927738135757noreply@blogger.com0White House Ln, Staffordshire, UK52.508228773920862 -2.237176895141601652.503396273920863 -2.2470473951416015 52.513061273920862 -2.2273063951416017tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558711456755753903.post-84023985539269903612012-04-14T15:58:00.000+01:002012-04-14T15:58:51.308+01:00Baggeridge Country Park 25 March 2012I went for a quick walk at Baggeridge Country Park one Sunday as something to do. I headed over to the Toposcope and found some mining bees popping in and out of their holes. These were <i>Andrena clarkella</i> and are some of the earliest mining bees to emerge in the spring.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8jJpYZoQA_E/T4mPRt25qWI/AAAAAAAAAec/w8FoTu369Bg/s1600/bee-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8jJpYZoQA_E/T4mPRt25qWI/AAAAAAAAAec/w8FoTu369Bg/s320/bee-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><i style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Andrena clarkella</i></span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a7U4tupQmA0/T4mPTrcwpVI/AAAAAAAAAek/I17gfX13pwM/s1600/bee-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a7U4tupQmA0/T4mPTrcwpVI/AAAAAAAAAek/I17gfX13pwM/s320/bee-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><i style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Andrena clarkella</i></span>
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</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GgQ6I5zHb_4/T4mPVCUVdUI/AAAAAAAAAes/9rjyBe7_H7I/s1600/bee-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GgQ6I5zHb_4/T4mPVCUVdUI/AAAAAAAAAes/9rjyBe7_H7I/s320/bee-3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><i style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Andrena clarkella</i></span>
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This species of Andrena is best separated from others in its genera by the rusty red rear legs.Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153815927738135757noreply@blogger.com0319 Sandyfields Rd, Dudley, West Midlands DY3 3DJ, UK52.532579220124873 -2.147333621978759852.531371720124874 -2.1498011219787596 52.533786720124873 -2.14486612197876tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558711456755753903.post-49286575769466099012012-03-12T08:57:00.002+00:002012-03-12T08:57:44.905+00:00Highgate Common 28th February 2012I had a stroke of luck a couple of weeks ago as I was leaving a work party on Highgate Common. I spotted a bug crawling on the trainee warden's bag (Phillip Playford) and managed to grab a few photos. I was excited because I recognised the bug as something I had seen recently on iSpot but I also thought that it probably wasn't that rare.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iKX70iSzM8k/T12wsnlyvJI/AAAAAAAAAdw/PR3LWeOhn64/s1600/dock_bug-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iKX70iSzM8k/T12wsnlyvJI/AAAAAAAAAdw/PR3LWeOhn64/s320/dock_bug-1.JPG" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Coreus marginatus</span></i>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The bug in question was a Dock bug (<i>Coreus marginatus</i>) and <a href="http://www.britishbugs.org.uk/heteroptera/Coreidae/coreus_marginatus.html">British bugs</a> describes it as "common and widespread in southern Britain, including Ireland, where it may be found in a variety of dry and damp habitats". The big clue here is that it is widespread in "southern Britain". As far as Staffordshire is concerned the county is on the far NW edge of the Dock bug's normal range here in the UK, with only sporadic reports further north and west.<br />
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My sighting turned out to be a first for Highgate Common and only the second ever county record, the other being from Penn Common which is only just down the road from me.<br />
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This just goes to prove that if you keep looking you will eventually be rewarded with something exciting. Also if I hadn't taken the trouble to report my sighting to the county recorder it would not have been nearly as interesting to me as I wouldn't have found out how uncommon these things are in Staffordshire.<br />
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There is tremendous value in reporting sightings to your county recorder because without them we would have a poorer understanding of what flora and fauna are located in the county and we cannot hope to protect something if we don't know where it lives.<br />
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For many things you don't have to be an expert either. Simply take a photo of a specimen and then put it on somewhere like <a href="http://www.ispot.org.uk/">iSpot</a> where a community of knowledgeable people may be able to help you identify what it is. Once you have a firm idea of what it is you have photographed you can then contact your county recording centre with your sighting.<br />
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The county recording centre for Staffordshire is the "<a href="http://www.staffs-ecology.org.uk/html2010/index.php5?title=Main_Page">Staffordshire Ecological Record</a>".<br />
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Some things will be unidentifiable from a photograph, either because there are similar species which look the same and can only be identified through dissection or because you didn't capture all of the identifying features in the photograph.<br />
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When recording plants it is a good idea to take a notebook and ruler/tape measure with you. Some plants look very similar to each other in colour and shape but one species might be very tall and the other very short so a sense of scale can be a useful identification aid. A selection of photos can also help, especially with plants. Remember to take photos of not just the flower but also the leaves, stem and a photo of the whole plant.<br />
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Other sightings that day included Turkeytail bracket fungi (<i>Trametes versicolor</i>) and an Angle Shades caterpillar (<i>Phologophora meticulosa</i>).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RKL6zajQUqk/T123cAtDcDI/AAAAAAAAAeA/txn4SzKoTmc/s1600/bracket.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RKL6zajQUqk/T123cAtDcDI/AAAAAAAAAeA/txn4SzKoTmc/s320/bracket.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Trametes versicolor</span></i>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qvTMSYgguvM/T123dm2wEYI/AAAAAAAAAeI/srSF3lHQ-mo/s1600/grub-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qvTMSYgguvM/T123dm2wEYI/AAAAAAAAAeI/srSF3lHQ-mo/s320/grub-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Phologophora meticulosa</span></i>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c0WRtVE_Buo/T123fYcKOaI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/oAl59c1rEMg/s1600/grub-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c0WRtVE_Buo/T123fYcKOaI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/oAl59c1rEMg/s320/grub-2.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Phologophora meticulosa</span></i>
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</tbody></table>
Angle shades caterpillars are interesting in that as well as this brown form they can also be bright green.<br />
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For what ever reason the insects seemed particularly interested in bags that day as this caterpillar was found on my bag as I got to the car, hence the metallic grey background in the photos.<br />
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This gives me an idea for an experiment with rucksacks :-)<br />
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In other news the Redpoll have finally found my nyjer seed feeder so hopefully I will be able to get some better photos in due course.Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153815927738135757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558711456755753903.post-28128828069991372892012-02-27T11:50:00.000+00:002012-02-27T11:50:42.208+00:00Bits and bobs February 2012I've managed a few trips out this month which bucks the trend of recent months. The truth is that a lot of my time recently has been spent planing a move down to Devon but for reasons that I won't go into here I have decided against a move down south.<br />
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In my opinion South Staffs is just as good for wildlife as any other county as long as you take the time to look.<br />
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For instance, by keeping my eyes peeled for even the smallest of creatures I managed to find this moth taking shelter on a Silver Birch tree on Highgate Common:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S9Kr86hxjGc/T0UnQWNb1zI/AAAAAAAAAak/_RD7cWrNVsw/s1600/Spring_usher.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S9Kr86hxjGc/T0UnQWNb1zI/AAAAAAAAAak/_RD7cWrNVsw/s320/Spring_usher.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spring Usher (<i>Agriopis leucophaearia</i>)</td></tr>
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I particularly like the name Spring Usher as it aptly describes when this species emerges as an adult, which is anywhere between February and March. The female moth is wingless and the larvae feed mainly on Oak.<br />
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Despite early signs of spring there were still plenty of signs of winter.<br />
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The work party at Highgate Common could hear a large number of birds causing a very loud commotion just the other side of some trees. They were that loud (the birds not the work party) that the common consensus was that they were probably Starlings.<br />
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On closer inspection it turned out to be a flock of Linnet! Although there were probably less than 100 birds it was still the largest group of Linnet I remember seeing.<br />
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Although Linnet are known to form large flocks in winter they are rather gregarious birds all year round and will often breed in small colonies of up to 20 individuals.<br />
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Talking of birds, a few weekends ago I was lucky enough to take part in some ringing at an orchard in Worcestershire. The cold weather had driven large numbers of Fieldfare to the orchards where there were plenty of apples for them to eat.<br />
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Apparently Fieldfare don't actually like eating apples when they have a choice, they only turn to them when more desirable food sources run out.<br />
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This is the same for a lot of animal species, even us humans. If you are anything like me, when you have done your weekly shop you will eat your favourite things first and leave less desirable foods until last. Birds are no different.<br />
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This is why a lot of the time you will see a bush full of berries until very late in the winter. It is not that the birds are deliberately saving these berries for harder times, it is just that there are other things around that they would rather eat.<br />
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As it turned out a lot of the apples had already been decimated by the Fieldfare in preceding weeks and there weren't a lot left so we only managed to catch roughly 60 birds.<br />
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For whatever reason I didn't think to take any photos of the Fieldfare but I did take some photos of some personal highlights for me a Jay (ringing tick) and a Sparrowhawk.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V3TRo2VeuA0/T0tlwMlZG7I/AAAAAAAAAas/tDGtyqCXb4U/s1600/jay-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V3TRo2VeuA0/T0tlwMlZG7I/AAAAAAAAAas/tDGtyqCXb4U/s320/jay-1.JPG" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jay (<i>Garrulus glandarius</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--blU1wX5sFc/T0tlyCBLpXI/AAAAAAAAAa0/sCNqQvA-6iw/s1600/jay-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--blU1wX5sFc/T0tlyCBLpXI/AAAAAAAAAa0/sCNqQvA-6iw/s320/jay-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jay (<i>Garrulus glandarius</i>)
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9HJce-mID6s/T0tl0BEv_FI/AAAAAAAAAa8/JgVzZ1bO-E8/s1600/sparky-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9HJce-mID6s/T0tl0BEv_FI/AAAAAAAAAa8/JgVzZ1bO-E8/s320/sparky-1.JPG" width="230" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sparrowhawk (<i>Accipiter nisus</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KtG5I7pRYBY/T0tl1T0B2NI/AAAAAAAAAbE/1LvpO1t5xas/s1600/sparky-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KtG5I7pRYBY/T0tl1T0B2NI/AAAAAAAAAbE/1LvpO1t5xas/s320/sparky-3.JPG" width="221" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sparrowhawk (<i>Accipiter nisus</i>)
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I was also shown an old Dormouse nest which was another personal first.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sd1wphCPVYw/T0tnQ3txyrI/AAAAAAAAAbM/h3-EWfYE6-o/s1600/door-mouse-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sd1wphCPVYw/T0tnQ3txyrI/AAAAAAAAAbM/h3-EWfYE6-o/s320/door-mouse-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dormouse (<i>Muscardinus avellanarius</i>) nest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AMppwbzZrvE/T0tnVRLWFmI/AAAAAAAAAbU/25jDAXAyR-s/s1600/doormouse-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AMppwbzZrvE/T0tnVRLWFmI/AAAAAAAAAbU/25jDAXAyR-s/s320/doormouse-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dormouse (<i>Muscardinus avellanarius</i>) nest
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Dormice are one of only a select few British mammals that truly hibernate during winter. However it is highly unlikely that one would be hibernating in this nest, they would have found a warmer spot to spend the winter.<br />
<br />
February truly has been a month of firsts as just yesterday I had my first garden sighting of Lesser Redpoll (<i>Carduelis cabaret</i>).<br />
<br />
I only managed to get some record shots as I couldn't get very close to them, the light was appalling and my hands were shaking from the excitement! I mainly focused on a rather pale individual that I was hoping was a Mealy Redpoll (<i>Carduelis flammea</i>) but the general consensus is that it was just probably a rather pale Lesser Redpoll.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kk0IcB_evME/T0tqEbINBcI/AAAAAAAAAbk/JAQcMDjCx0Y/s1600/lesser.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kk0IcB_evME/T0tqEbINBcI/AAAAAAAAAbk/JAQcMDjCx0Y/s320/lesser.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"normal British" Lesser Redpoll </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wzsu1y816rY/T0tqG93uGnI/AAAAAAAAAbs/uy5zLJjd534/s1600/mealy-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wzsu1y816rY/T0tqG93uGnI/AAAAAAAAAbs/uy5zLJjd534/s320/mealy-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pale Lesser Redpoll</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TD46J9RCues/T0tqJeg-P7I/AAAAAAAAAb0/K0d7a7pDlNk/s1600/mealy-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TD46J9RCues/T0tqJeg-P7I/AAAAAAAAAb0/K0d7a7pDlNk/s320/mealy-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pale Lesser Redpoll on left with slightly darker bird on right</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vqECOK_P9GQ/T0tqNpwBGCI/AAAAAAAAAcE/h1fGd393Nsk/s1600/mealy-4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vqECOK_P9GQ/T0tqNpwBGCI/AAAAAAAAAcE/h1fGd393Nsk/s320/mealy-4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pale Lesser Redpoll, the pink on the breast makes this a male</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zuBmzN7dbIg/T0tqPRpEYMI/AAAAAAAAAcM/1W8CwdzboGg/s1600/mealy-5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zuBmzN7dbIg/T0tqPRpEYMI/AAAAAAAAAcM/1W8CwdzboGg/s320/mealy-5.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pale Lesser Redpoll
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IU68SSC8iBs/T0tqbsTwlkI/AAAAAAAAAcs/es_GIuFiFMM/s1600/mealy-lesser-5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="164" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IU68SSC8iBs/T0tqbsTwlkI/AAAAAAAAAcs/es_GIuFiFMM/s320/mealy-lesser-5.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pale Lesser Redpoll on left with much darker bird on right</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BM86UQiNUPA/T0tqLj-89BI/AAAAAAAAAb8/BaPjU2ObKHQ/s1600/mealy-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BM86UQiNUPA/T0tqLj-89BI/AAAAAAAAAb8/BaPjU2ObKHQ/s320/mealy-3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pale Lesser Redpoll on left with slightly darker bird on right</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The Redpoll were feeding with a flock of the loosely related Goldfinch (<i>Carduelis carduelis</i>). I am hoping that the Goldfinch will show the Redpoll where my nyjer seed feeder is, then I will be able to get some better photos!<br />
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<br />Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153815927738135757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558711456755753903.post-742430461966292182012-02-08T19:28:00.000+00:002012-02-08T19:28:06.212+00:00RSPB Arne 3rd February 2012I paid a visit to a very cold Dorset last Friday and thought that I would drop into<a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/a/arne/"> RSPB Arne</a> for a couple of hours whilst I was down there.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately due to restricted time I didn't get to see all that RSPB Arne has to offer but I was very impressed with the limited amount that I saw.<br />
<br />
Things got off to a good start when I saw some Sika Deer off the track to the main car park.<br />
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From the Car Park I had the choice of taking either the Shipstal Point trail which eventually leads to views over Poole Harbour or the Coombe Heath trail to Middlebere Lake (which is more like a tidal creek than a lake).<br />
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Middlebere Lake normally holds good numbers of Avocet so I thought I would take the Coombe Heath trail. I saw little of note over the heath other than a small party of Meadow Pipit and a Kestrel. I expected little else given the intensely cold weather, with most of the small birds preferring to feed in the car park, woodland and probably in the farm area.<br />
<br />
However Coombe Heath did offer expansive views of the area which was very beautiful and picturesque. I didn't get many shots of the scenery as I was only sporting my telephoto lens but I did get some less picturesque photos of scrub/forest clearance and burning to the west of the reserve.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L2V1hrcY0lY/TzLEULcCUEI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/q2HWMQ7V6-8/s1600/RSPB+Arne-burning-web.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L2V1hrcY0lY/TzLEULcCUEI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/q2HWMQ7V6-8/s400/RSPB+Arne-burning-web.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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There is one hide and a viewing screen looking over Middlemere Lake. In some gorse close to the hide I heard a Dartford Warbler singing quietly away. I also got to see it fleetingly before it turned and flew off to sing from another song post further off. Unfortunately I didn't get any photos. I also didn't get any photos of what greeted me once in the hide - a stunning female Sika Deer very close to the hide. I was making too much noise and it scarpered as quick as a flash.<br />
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I was promised by regular visitors to the reserve that Middlemere Lake was normally full of wading birds, but this wasn't to be on my visit as it was almost completely frozen over! Overnight temperatures had approached about -10 degrees Celsius so it is hardly surprising but still ever so slightly disappointing.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BGFaShC7ums/TzLESLFIRJI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/I3V-iOTZJ70/s1600/ice-web.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BGFaShC7ums/TzLESLFIRJI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/I3V-iOTZJ70/s400/ice-web.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The local Brent Geese had a quick wander over the frozen creek...<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a4XyfSf982M/TzLETNBvvcI/AAAAAAAAAaA/iPBwzLGhqWk/s1600/brent_and_ice-web.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a4XyfSf982M/TzLETNBvvcI/AAAAAAAAAaA/iPBwzLGhqWk/s400/brent_and_ice-web.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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...but soon took to grazing on a field nearby.
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bE6qOn7FvoE/TzLETcVDvpI/AAAAAAAAAaI/NSO8c_MAD_8/s1600/brent_geese-1-web.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bE6qOn7FvoE/TzLETcVDvpI/AAAAAAAAAaI/NSO8c_MAD_8/s400/brent_geese-1-web.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Whilst in the hide I also saw a superb male Marsh Harrier quartering over the reed bed in front of the Brent Geese and a Common Buzzard in the trees behind the Brent Geese.<br />
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On my way back to the car park I encountered a mixed flock of winter thrushes in the overflow car park.<br />
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So overall a very enjoyable couple of hours spent on a lovely reserve. I dearly hope to visit it again sometime so that I can properly explore all it has to offer.Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153815927738135757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558711456755753903.post-82384693781652565902012-01-10T16:59:00.003+00:002012-01-10T16:59:44.329+00:00Highgate Common 10th January 2012It was ladybird central at the volunteer work party today at Highgate Common.<br />
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We saw at least a dozen 7 spot ladybirds (<i>Coccinella septempunctata</i>), one 14 spot ladybird (<i>Propylea 14-punctata</i>) and one eyed ladybird (<i>Anatis ocellata</i>) .<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yjRSbM6svxg/TwxtDJjx-0I/AAAAAAAAAZM/Ww_2zO0QMI8/s1600/7spot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yjRSbM6svxg/TwxtDJjx-0I/AAAAAAAAAZM/Ww_2zO0QMI8/s320/7spot.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Coccinella septempunctata</span></i>
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</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eYA_dcFTY8k/TwxtFPkK4OI/AAAAAAAAAZU/duRI1msxbUU/s1600/eyed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eYA_dcFTY8k/TwxtFPkK4OI/AAAAAAAAAZU/duRI1msxbUU/s320/eyed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Anatis ocellata</span></i>
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</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jtbXUak2jH8/TwxtHdjWNKI/AAAAAAAAAZc/KqXYFk37YXo/s1600/web_Propylea_14-punctata.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="309" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jtbXUak2jH8/TwxtHdjWNKI/AAAAAAAAAZc/KqXYFk37YXo/s320/web_Propylea_14-punctata.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Propylea 14-punctata - photo taken last year</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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No doubt the unseasonably mild weather has brought them all out of hibernation. We also found a shield bug and a hoverfly but I didn't manage to photograph any of these for identification.<br />
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Late news from 2011... Richard Southwell of the Butterfly Conservation group found some Vapourer moth (<i>Orgyia antiqua</i>) eggs during a work party in December and I was able to photograph them. We also found a Satellite moth (<i>Eupsilia transversa</i>).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G1i_H-I1a4s/Twxto1bYqAI/AAAAAAAAAZk/tQ-mhibLMyM/s1600/Orgyia_antiqua.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G1i_H-I1a4s/Twxto1bYqAI/AAAAAAAAAZk/tQ-mhibLMyM/s320/Orgyia_antiqua.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Orgyia antiqua</span></i>
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</tbody></table>
<br />
Vapourer moth was only discovered on Highgate in 2011 but now we have breeding evidence too! It is not that uncommon a moth but it is exciting to get a first for you local patch. Satellite moth is also new to Highgate so two firsts in one day!Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153815927738135757noreply@blogger.com0White House Ln, Staffordshire, UK52.50655704189176 -2.242755889892578152.504141041891764 -2.2476913898925783 52.508973041891757 -2.2378203898925779tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558711456755753903.post-21710613039728195162011-12-06T16:52:00.001+00:002011-12-06T17:36:36.027+00:00Highgate Common 6th December 2011<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QojjYrG4YoA/Tt5G5OF7YqI/AAAAAAAAAYE/-g214O3_Kzs/s1600/web-Highate+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QojjYrG4YoA/Tt5G5OF7YqI/AAAAAAAAAYE/-g214O3_Kzs/s400/web-Highate+013.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Highgate Common</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Today was my first free Tuesday for quite some time and so I took the opportunity to go down to Highgate Common and join their volunteer work party.<br />
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It was a chilly day with plenty of frost around first thing but that didn't put me off as I had about 5 layers on to counteract the cold!<br />
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We were asked to cut down some Silver Birch (<i>Betula pendula</i>) saplings which were encroaching onto the main heathland area of the Common.<br />
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We donned our gloves and hard hats and used both tree loppers and bow saws to remove the saplings and small trees.<br />
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I put together a few before and after shots so you can see the progress we made. (as always you can click on the photos to get a bigger picture).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u_1Oqshm-xI/Tt5G5p-AzUI/AAAAAAAAAYI/1l0tHX8uWB4/s1600/web-before-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u_1Oqshm-xI/Tt5G5p-AzUI/AAAAAAAAAYI/1l0tHX8uWB4/s400/web-before-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4-9P5CQmhL4/Tt5Ggf7ewLI/AAAAAAAAAXs/ulZzSK3gLSg/s1600/web-after-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4-9P5CQmhL4/Tt5Ggf7ewLI/AAAAAAAAAXs/ulZzSK3gLSg/s400/web-after-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">after</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IauF3tRIWnw/Tt5G8QfuZhI/AAAAAAAAAYU/IWSE05pKbno/s1600/web-before-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IauF3tRIWnw/Tt5G8QfuZhI/AAAAAAAAAYU/IWSE05pKbno/s400/web-before-2.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">before</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-26i9eQScV0E/Tt5GhkG_q8I/AAAAAAAAAX0/AsqWMned2Ik/s1600/web-after-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-26i9eQScV0E/Tt5GhkG_q8I/AAAAAAAAAX0/AsqWMned2Ik/s400/web-after-2.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">after</td></tr>
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As you can see we kept the big trees and only removed the small ones. As well as temporarily halting the encroachment of Silver Birch in this area it also improved the view from the picnic table.<br />
<br />
We didn't see a lot of wildlife while we were working. I did find a Harlequin Ladybird (<i>Harmonia axyridis</i>) on one of the trees we had cut down. When I picked it up to have a closer look it started to excrete a yellow substance from its body. This liquid supposedly has a foul odour, a bit like old leaves (I didn't think to smell it), and is a self-defence mechanism called "reflex-bleeding". Most ladybird species reflex-bleed if agitated to deter predators. It obviously didn't like me disturbing it and soon took flight.<br />
<br />
There was a Fly Agaric (<i>Amanita muscaria</i>) mushroom in the area that we were working but unfortunately it was not in a photographic state as it had been stood on and looked rather beaten up.<br />
<br />
Cutting down the saplings and then cutting them up into smaller pieces was hot work and I soon had to remove some of my layers. We also had a fire going and this helped to keep us warm.<br />
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<br />
I played around a little with the colours in the last photo to try and highlight the flames in the fire.<br />
<br />
Not all of the wood was burnt; we did set some aside to make a wood pile. The wood pile will provide shelter for a number of animals and invertebrates and as it rots down it will provide food for various invertebrates and their larvae, helping to improve the biodiversity on the site.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood set aside for habitat pile</td></tr>
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<br />Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153815927738135757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558711456755753903.post-41066154413356471322011-11-12T20:18:00.001+00:002011-11-12T20:56:51.138+00:00Apologies, thanks and ringing 12/11/2011Hello all,<br />
<br />
Sorry it has been a long time since I have posted anything to this blog but truth be told I haven't had much time or motivation to get out and about over the last few months.<br />
<br />
Autumn is a busy time for a Meteorologist as we gear up towards the winter season and I find myself becoming slightly more lethargic as the nights start to draw in.<br />
<br />
Almost all of the Tuesday volunteer days at Highgate seem to have clashed with work or other commitments and so I have only managed half a day in what seems like 3 months or more!<br />
<br />
I managed to help with putting in some of the new Car Park signs for Highgate Common. Now we should have no excuses in forgetting the names for each car park.<br />
<br />
I would like to thank the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust for writing such a wonderful article on me in their Wildlife Champion section of the Autumn/Winter 2011 Staffordshire Wildlife magazine. They have been very supportive of my activities on their Highgate reserve and I simply can't praise them enough for their encouragement and the work that they do.<br />
<br />
I have been continuing with my ringing activities, although these have been few and far between as they wound down after a productive autumn migration and winter flocks are only just starting to gather in any significant numbers.<br />
<br />
I was fortunate enough last Thursday to be invited over to Aqualate Mere by the Brewood Ringing Group to try and ring part of the Starling roost.<br />
<br />
Aqualate Mere is a National Nature Reserve which is managed by Natural England but is part of a private estate. As such access to the reserve is strictly limited to public rights of way and permit holders. It does have a bird hide that overlooks the reserve and more information about this and the rest of the reserve can be found <a href="http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designatedareas/nnr/1006003.aspx">here</a>.<br />
<br />
The Starling roost is building quite nicely now and there must be tens of thousands of birds gathering to roost each evening.<br />
<br />
We did not manage to catch any of the Starlings as they were roosting in another part of the reed beds but I did get to see them dance and swirl across the Mere as they gathered to roost.<br />
<br />
It certainly was a magical sight to see and hear the cloud of birds twist and turn. The sound of them all beating their wings to change direction had to be heard to be believed.<br />
<br />
A Peregrine was trying to disrupt the flock but it didn't seem to have much success.<br />
<br />
Scott Petrek (warden at Doxey Marshes) managed to get a photo of part of the flock and was kind enough to allow me to post it here.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of Scott Petrek </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I know that more updates won't be forthcoming for the rest of the month as I will be extremely busy but I do hope to do at least one update in December.Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153815927738135757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558711456755753903.post-6594535838641857322011-09-04T17:06:00.000+01:002011-09-04T23:21:29.886+01:00Belvide 3rd September 2011On Saturday I went to do some bird watching over at Belvide Reservoir.<br />
<br />
There was a ringing session in the morning but I couldn't make this. I had been working overnight and needed some sleep before setting out.<br />
<br />
Despite missing the first Meadow Pipit of the year for the ringing group I still had a very enjoyable day.<br />
<br />
During the day a group of the Belvide regulars took part in a friendly "day listing" competition against Upton Warren in Worcestershire. Basically you go around compiling a list of all the birds your team sees on your respective sites during the day and the team with the biggest list wins. They were up at the crack of dawn (when I was still working) and had finished by dusk (when I was at home having a nice tea).<br />
<br />
In total the Belvide crew saw 90 bird species whilst Upton Warren could only muster 78. For the full list go to: <a href="http://www.surfbirds.com/blog/Belvide84/22554/Belvide+Overcast+SSW+2-3.html">http://www.surfbirds.com/blog/Belvide84/22554/Belvide+Overcast+SSW+2-3.html</a><br />
<br />
As I wasn't participating in the day listing I was able to roam the site in a more leisurely manner. My trip to the dam at the front of the Reservoir was rewarded with close views of either a female or juvenile Wheatear (<i>Oenanthe oenanthe</i>).<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2vx-Qfa4Fd8/TmOHQ32rpfI/AAAAAAAAAVY/iJBDNeYvZzs/s1600/Wheatear-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="304" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2vx-Qfa4Fd8/TmOHQ32rpfI/AAAAAAAAAVY/iJBDNeYvZzs/s320/Wheatear-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Oenanthe oenanthe</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
However, I didn't get those close views without a little fieldcraft and a lot of luck.<br />
<br />
I happened across the Wheatear as I was walking along the dam. I didn't even see it at first until I flushed it by nearly stepping on it! It then flew across to the controls for the sluice gate.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0jAPtKXYLkI/TmOHPE2TAgI/AAAAAAAAAVE/u15Ls756Bg8/s1600/Not_close_enough.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0jAPtKXYLkI/TmOHPE2TAgI/AAAAAAAAAVE/u15Ls756Bg8/s320/Not_close_enough.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wheatear on sluice gate platform</td></tr>
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<br />
As you can see, even with a 400mm lens I wasn't close enough. I went somewhat awkwardly into a crawl on my hands and knees with my binoculars and field guide bag still around my neck. I realised this wasn't going to work so I lost the bag and the "bins" and lay down flat on my belly. This was better but it still took me some time to shimmy closer to the bird.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wz4N3IUpFAc/TmOHPtQ1X9I/AAAAAAAAAVI/7oXjk_utYo8/s1600/Still_not_close_enough.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wz4N3IUpFAc/TmOHPtQ1X9I/AAAAAAAAAVI/7oXjk_utYo8/s320/Still_not_close_enough.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little closer.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0gUwUFIwZ_c/TmOHSA7iCNI/AAAAAAAAAVk/5ec7av_ArU0/s1600/Wheater_post.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0gUwUFIwZ_c/TmOHSA7iCNI/AAAAAAAAAVk/5ec7av_ArU0/s320/Wheater_post.JPG" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Whilst the bird in the photos above isn't filling the frame I like the overall effect of it sitting on the fence. Click on the photos for a bigger picture and you will see what I mean.<br />
<br />
Now I was getting a little too close without any cover and the bird flew off. Luckily it dropped down just the other side of the sluice gate so I was able to creep up to this and use it as cover. My next two photos were taken whilst I was poking my head around the corner.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vUDlRNTr4h0/TmOKt2QRTeI/AAAAAAAAAV8/TcnMPxFbvc8/s1600/the_other_side.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vUDlRNTr4h0/TmOKt2QRTeI/AAAAAAAAAV8/TcnMPxFbvc8/s320/the_other_side.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The other side (@100mm)</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MvPZwgHm3dA/TmOHPsarUkI/AAAAAAAAAVM/HAh5lLnEuzc/s1600/thats_better.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MvPZwgHm3dA/TmOHPsarUkI/AAAAAAAAAVM/HAh5lLnEuzc/s320/thats_better.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Much closer (@400mm)</td></tr>
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I am very pleased with the photos but my arms were stinging quite a lot from all the cuts and grazes by the time I got home. A useful tip is to make sure you cover your arms if you intend to crawl along on you belly for any length of time! Also try not to do it with a belly full of food.<br />
<br />
A little later I went around what is known as Gazebo Bay and found a male Common Darter (<i>Sympetrum striolatum</i>) dragonfly sunning itself on a bench. It didn't seem to mind me sharing its bench too much and I managed to take some good photos of it.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2-gQLt93AdY/TmOHL_vxXLI/AAAAAAAAAUw/4ntb6zoG-AA/s1600/Common_darter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2-gQLt93AdY/TmOHL_vxXLI/AAAAAAAAAUw/4ntb6zoG-AA/s320/Common_darter.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sympetrum striolatum</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mM_rPn5L2tE/TmOHMPer2nI/AAAAAAAAAU0/6lTDltDISSA/s1600/Common_darter-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mM_rPn5L2tE/TmOHMPer2nI/AAAAAAAAAU0/6lTDltDISSA/s320/Common_darter-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sympetrum striolatum</i></td></tr>
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Red-veined darter (<i>Sympetrum fonscolombii</i>) is also present at Belvide and the male is differentiated from the male Common darter by blue on the lower eye rather than a yellowy green (as in the Common darter above), red veins on the front part of both the fore-wing and hind-wing, yellow at the base of the hind-wing and a yellow to orange pterostigma (red in Common darter) strongly outlined in black (see <a href="http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/species/red-veined-darter">http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/species/red-veined-darter</a>).<br />
<br />
Ruddy darter (<i>Sympetrum sanguineum</i>) is also somewhat similar but has completely black legs (<a href="http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/species/ruddy-darter">http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/species/ruddy-darter</a>). This Common darter has a yellow line running the length of its legs which is diagnostic (<a href="http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/species/common-darter">http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/species/common-darter</a>).<br />
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In case you were wondering what a pterostigma is (I know I was) then I have labelled it here for you:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cooKMdenk2M/TmOTMMr7tFI/AAAAAAAAAWI/hD7CA980Pc0/s1600/pterostigma.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cooKMdenk2M/TmOTMMr7tFI/AAAAAAAAAWI/hD7CA980Pc0/s320/pterostigma.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pterostigma = in this case a red marking <br />
towards the tip of the wing.</td></tr>
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<br />
After photographing the Common darter the leading edge of a weather front passed overhead, bringing to an end to the good light conditions my camera had been enjoying.<br />
<br />
The poor light didn't stop me firing off a couple of photos of Mandarin duck (<i>Aix galericulata</i>) though.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RH-gFzhb8to/TmOHMmztRAI/AAAAAAAAAU4/aeidyUcjkqE/s1600/Mandarin-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RH-gFzhb8to/TmOHMmztRAI/AAAAAAAAAU4/aeidyUcjkqE/s320/Mandarin-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Aix galericulata</span></i></td></tr>
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This duck species is originally from eastern Asia but the magnificence of the male duck in breeding plumage has made it a popular bird for people to keep in wildfowl collections here in Britain. It has since escaped captivity to set up a feral breeding population within Britain.<br />
<br />
Mandarin is quite uncommon in Staffordshire and the West Midlands. "The new Birds of the West Midlands" by the WMBC estimates the West Midland region (as defined in the book) population to contain c100 individuals.<br />
<br />
This male duck is lacking its stupendous summer plumage and is in what is known as "eclipse plumage". However, I still find this much toned down bird quite beautiful in its own way. Many birds must shed/moult their worn feathers after the breading season and ducks are no exception. As ducks moult they become flightless for short length of time. They are unable to fly because they moult their flight/wing feathers in one go.<br />
<br />
Other types of bird moult their feathers sequentially so that they can retain the ability to fly.<br />
<br />
To give male ducks a greater chance of surviving this flightless period they swap their bright breading plumage for a more cryptic plumage, which often closely resembles that of the female.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GqJd3BJov7M/TmOHOJ9ae8I/AAAAAAAAAVA/K0MPEnrz4E4/s1600/Mandarin-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GqJd3BJov7M/TmOHOJ9ae8I/AAAAAAAAAVA/K0MPEnrz4E4/s320/Mandarin-3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Open wing of Mandarin</td></tr>
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In the photo above you can see the open wing of the Mandarin as it flexes and stretches itself. The black feathers towards the tip of the wing (known as the primaries) look quite long compared to the white tipped feathers towards the inner wing (known as the secondaries). I don't have an intimate knowledge of duck moult but it looks like this bird has nearly finished growing its new flight feathers.<br />
<br />
You can see another example of eclipse plumage in the photo below.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6OIxWXGNnyk/TmOHNwH1RXI/AAAAAAAAAU8/ffoBHFurRro/s1600/Mandarin-4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="254" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6OIxWXGNnyk/TmOHNwH1RXI/AAAAAAAAAU8/ffoBHFurRro/s320/Mandarin-4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Mallard in eclipse plumage<br />
on the left and female in the centre.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153815927738135757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558711456755753903.post-65319275850992479542011-08-03T22:46:00.001+01:002011-08-03T22:49:40.902+01:00Highgate Common 3rd August 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-32G0iCxO3A4/Tjm6xEXiidI/AAAAAAAAAS8/bBd063EF4dw/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-32G0iCxO3A4/Tjm6xEXiidI/AAAAAAAAAS8/bBd063EF4dw/s320/011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Today was very hot (for me that is) and as I don't like the heat I decided to hold off a bit and go for an evening stroll when the temperatures had subsided somewhat. This proved to be a stroke of genius as the evening light over Highgate was just right for some landscape shots. The sky looked lovely too.<br />
<br />
We did even more bracken bashing on Tuesday and we found three types of heather in one area. I was hoping to get some photos of the heather this evening but all the cross leaved heath (<i>Erica tetralix</i>) was in shade - not so good for photography.<br />
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I did manage to get some photos of the Bell Heather (<i>Erica cinerea</i>) before the sun dropped too low.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xnpUmu-IsGg/Tjm6yG2Bk5I/AAAAAAAAATA/WdhrhrtASt4/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xnpUmu-IsGg/Tjm6yG2Bk5I/AAAAAAAAATA/WdhrhrtASt4/s320/016.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Erica cinerea</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0-RCMoawJyU/Tjm6z7l5VYI/AAAAAAAAATE/RKxaxnzs2H0/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0-RCMoawJyU/Tjm6z7l5VYI/AAAAAAAAATE/RKxaxnzs2H0/s320/017.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Erica cinerea</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>It is quite easy to tell the difference from Bell Heather and Common Heather as the flowers are enclosed in a "bell like" structure on Bell Heather, whilst Common Heather has an open flower. Cross leaved heath has a similar flower structure to the Bell Heather, but the single leaves form a cross shaped grouping of four on the stem. In Bell heather the leaves are in tight clusters, or whorls, of three.<br />
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Other sightings of note were a Green Woodpecker, a party of Linnets, a low flying Common Buzzard, a few Tree Pipits flitting around and some Gatekeeper and Small Heath butterflies.<br />
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Enjoy the landscape shots below... or don't... it's up to you ;-)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XhvIaSHnV7Y/Tjm60miV6II/AAAAAAAAATI/iVLMeMHZryU/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XhvIaSHnV7Y/Tjm60miV6II/AAAAAAAAATI/iVLMeMHZryU/s320/018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hISwrZsZkuA/Tjm634m75XI/AAAAAAAAATc/j8RVAjQ88EE/s1600/035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hISwrZsZkuA/Tjm634m75XI/AAAAAAAAATc/j8RVAjQ88EE/s320/035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ofqfXECAAt0/Tjm61RBYswI/AAAAAAAAATM/-2E0KGoMvXQ/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ofqfXECAAt0/Tjm61RBYswI/AAAAAAAAATM/-2E0KGoMvXQ/s320/021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AhK0bAYl2YM/Tjm6141XAVI/AAAAAAAAATQ/xXVYPlPV-Cs/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AhK0bAYl2YM/Tjm6141XAVI/AAAAAAAAATQ/xXVYPlPV-Cs/s320/027.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8LeLEUj_S00/Tjm62aPWsgI/AAAAAAAAATU/NYHdIlwHxms/s1600/029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8LeLEUj_S00/Tjm62aPWsgI/AAAAAAAAATU/NYHdIlwHxms/s320/029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JBdIqwF4GDM/Tjm63HHODYI/AAAAAAAAATY/Y0n0Lv7KefM/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JBdIqwF4GDM/Tjm63HHODYI/AAAAAAAAATY/Y0n0Lv7KefM/s320/031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153815927738135757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558711456755753903.post-51649822004576134452011-07-31T20:07:00.000+01:002011-07-31T20:07:42.295+01:00Ringing and stuffLast Thursday and Saturday I went to do some more bird ringing over at Belvide with <a href="http://www.brewoodringers.com/home">Brewood Ringers</a>. On Thursday we had a reasonable session with 52 new birds ringed. The main highlight of the day was getting to hold a Great Spotted Woodpecker (<i>Dendrocopos major</i>). We also got to see a Hobby hawking over the res after Swallows.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jc3DfomnN7I/TjWkASgFkjI/AAAAAAAAASs/Z1pqgyLLwlM/s1600/greatspot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jc3DfomnN7I/TjWkASgFkjI/AAAAAAAAASs/Z1pqgyLLwlM/s320/greatspot.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Dendrocopos major</i> (photo courtesy of Rebecca Stallard)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>On Saturday we only managed 34 new birds. When you take into consideration that we had about 12 nets up across the site, 34 birds really isn't many per net (2.84 birds per net)! This would have been disappointing enough but it was even more so when you take into account that I'd only had two hours sleep before hand. I'd been out to Stafford the night before to watch one of my friends play in a cover band <a href="http://www.spiralsix.co.uk/">Spiral Six</a> (which was a really good night, despite the poor turn out). I did get to see my first Leopard Slug though.<br />
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The main birds that we tend to catch are Reed Warblers, Sedge Warblers, Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps, Blue Tits and Great Tits, with a few other common birds thrown in at times. Despite the low numbers caught I am finding it highly addictive as you never know what is going to turn up. There are some Grasshopper Warblers that have bred in the area and I'm hopping we'll catch another one of these (the first one this year being caught at a session I couldn't attend).Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153815927738135757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558711456755753903.post-77747228900771610772011-07-26T16:06:00.001+01:002011-07-26T21:21:25.584+01:00Highgate Common 26th July 2011I went over to Highgate Common again today as part of the volunteer work party that happens there every Tuesday. We were clearing more bracken, a process that will be ongoing for some time yet as there is lots of bracken to get rid of.<br />
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In terms of wildlife observations, things got off to a promising start when we were first gathering near the Warden's Office, with Goldfinches in the thistles and a pair of Green Woodpeckers flying past. When we arrived on the common there were lots of butterflies flying around; Gatekeeper, Small Copper, Small Skipper and a Red Admiral were the main ones that I could recognise. There were a couple of white butterflies as well but they didn't settle for long enough for me to get a good look at them.<br />
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As we were clearing away the bracken we came across some Common Footman moths that were sheltering in the bracken and tall grasses.<br />
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A Great Spotted Woodpecker swooped down into some nearby trees and we could hear both Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff calling from the same trees. A Yellow Hammer was singing some way off and three Common Buzzards were circling high above us.<br />
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One of the other volunteers was lucky enough to find a Common Lizard basking in the sun but I managed to miss seeing it.<br />
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We did get a little bit distracted today from our normal volunteer work. Some nice people from Natural England and the MP for Staffordshire came to see what we were doing. A photographer also tagged along so maybe you'll see a photo of me holding a scythe somewhere in the not too distant future.<br />
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Last Saturday I also went bird ringing over Belvide Reservoir but cold, damp and foggy conditions meant that we only caught 32 new birds. The main highlight was getting to ring a juvenile Bullfinch.Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153815927738135757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558711456755753903.post-83460845731087067422011-07-19T20:45:00.001+01:002011-07-19T20:56:34.038+01:00Highgate Common 19th July 2011I went over Highgate Common today to do a bit more volunteer work. A group of us were clearing Himalayan Balsam from a butterfly glade in some woodland, and then we moved on to doing a bit of Bracken clearing.<br />
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Whilst working in the butterfly glade I came across a number of Scorpion flies of the genus <i>Panorpa</i>. I managed to get one fairly poor record shot using my phone, but it gives you a fair idea of what it looks like.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cFOoUpBP0Aw/TiXfmLpOM9I/AAAAAAAAASQ/jC5M3PznZbg/s1600/IMAG0105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cFOoUpBP0Aw/TiXfmLpOM9I/AAAAAAAAASQ/jC5M3PznZbg/s320/IMAG0105.jpg" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> <i>Panorpa Sp.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>This is a female scorpion fly. The male's tail looks like that of a scorpion, hence the name. The wings are clear, but with black venation and black markings; the thorax is long with yellow and black markings, but with a red tip; the eyes are reddish-brown and the antennae are very long.<br />
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The weather wasn't the best for butterflies but it did warm up enough in the afternoon for us to see Green-veined White, Large White, Small White and Meadow brown.Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153815927738135757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558711456755753903.post-46703481479175038472011-07-15T22:28:00.000+01:002011-07-15T22:28:32.689+01:00Highgate Common 14th July 2011Sorry for the long absence, I've been quite busy lately but I hope to be able to do more frequent blog updates through the end of July and into August as I have some leave booked off from work.<br />
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</div><div>Yesterday I went over Highgate Common once again, but this time I thought I would look at identifying and photographing flowering plants.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FtzS7PbQ6Mk/TiCIPvWnHDI/AAAAAAAAAPM/LDuZm7OwqqI/s1600/Highgate+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FtzS7PbQ6Mk/TiCIPvWnHDI/AAAAAAAAAPM/LDuZm7OwqqI/s320/Highgate+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the quieter parts of Highgate Common</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
</div><div>I must admit that I am not overly familiar with flowering plants, which is one of the reasons that I chose to look at them yesterday. I am probably not as bad as some though as I have picked up a bit of the terminology along the way. For example I understand what an inflorescence is and if pressed (and in the possession of a hand lens) I could find a ligule on a grass specimen. However, to a beginner like me, the technical language used to describe the parts, structure and even colouration of a plant can seem overwhelmingly vast and sometimes a little confusing. For instance, I knew that a ligule was to be found at the junction of a leaf blade and leaf sheath on grasses, but until just now (when I was looking up the correct spelling of ligule) I didn't know that it was also the term used to describe the fused petals of a ray floret in a composite!<br />
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I find that in comparison, identifying many (but not all) birds is child's play. For a start there isn't as many species.<br />
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</div><div>I now see my lack of botanical skills as a gaping whole in my skill set which needs filling, but even as little as 6 or 7 years ago I remember telling a Travelling Naturalist/Limosa tour group "plants are boring as the don't move". I hope they realised that I wasn't really being serious as I did say it with a smile on my face!<br />
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I never thought that this was truly the case, it was more the fact that I find it quite hard to identify plants (because of the reasons above) and I simply couldn't find the motivation to learn.</div><div><div><br />
</div></div><div>I understand the need to study and conserve plant life as it is the base to most food chains (bacteria often plays an important part as well, and lets not forget fungi), without it we would all undoubtedly perish.<br />
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My increasing interest in arthropods (invertebrates) and the natural world in general has now given me the incentive to learn.<br />
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Anyway enough of me waffling on and on to the fun stuff.<br />
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I must admit that I couldn't help but get slightly distracted by interesting insects I saw along the way. One of the first things I saw was an interesting brown beetle hanging out on some Ragwort. It was almost certainly a click beetle and was possibly <i>Prosternon tessellatum</i>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--6wR2jvLWE4/TiCIRP6XMCI/AAAAAAAAAPU/0yU3vzC3A90/s1600/unkown-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="183" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--6wR2jvLWE4/TiCIRP6XMCI/AAAAAAAAAPU/0yU3vzC3A90/s320/unkown-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Prosternon tessellatum?</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I should point out at this stage that a lot of my photos aren't up to my usual standard. It was quite breezy which made it very difficult to get sharp, in-focus photos :( These are simply the best of a bad bunch. Also it should be fairly obvious that any Latin names with a question mark next to it means that I am uncertain as to the identity of a specimen.<br />
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Funnily enough I didn't think to get any photos of the Ragwort, but this is how I knew it was Ragwort and not something else.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pw-kVBDdDN8/TiCIX-kQbQI/AAAAAAAAAPs/FsFTBRoNsi8/s1600/Cinnabar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pw-kVBDdDN8/TiCIX-kQbQI/AAAAAAAAAPs/FsFTBRoNsi8/s320/Cinnabar.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cinnabar moth caterpillar (<i>Tyria jacobaeae</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>There were also lots of Common Red Soldier Beetles around (<i>Rhagonycha fulva</i>). Indeed there were so many around that you'll see them in some of my other photos in this post.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4GWRR7gms6g/TiCIYRxmycI/AAAAAAAAAPw/W16o5gPdJts/s1600/Rhagonycha_fulva.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4GWRR7gms6g/TiCIYRxmycI/AAAAAAAAAPw/W16o5gPdJts/s320/Rhagonycha_fulva.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Rhagonycha fulva</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>As Highgate Common is predominantly fragmented heathland with areas of woodland, one plant in particular is fairly common, especially after a lot of hard work from the management team and volunteers to remove invasive braken and trees. Common Heather or Ling (<i>Calluna vulgaris</i>) is now fairly widespread in Highgate, especially in the area I chose to study. There was also small amounts of Bell Heather (<i>Erica cinerea</i>) but I didn't get a photo.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KRC2BXqGJqo/TiCIUPcg_2I/AAAAAAAAAPg/yXS_buTLGnE/s1600/ling.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KRC2BXqGJqo/TiCIUPcg_2I/AAAAAAAAAPg/yXS_buTLGnE/s320/ling.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Calluna vulgaris</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_NviTqIOv5E/TiCISkQFrNI/AAAAAAAAAPc/cuEUtZ6pkAE/s1600/ling-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_NviTqIOv5E/TiCISkQFrNI/AAAAAAAAAPc/cuEUtZ6pkAE/s320/ling-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Calluna vulgaris</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
In and around the same area I found some Compact Rush growing (<i>Juncus conglomeratus</i>). Rushes and sedges tend to be more spiky and erect than grasses. Compact Rush is relatively easy to identify as the inflorescence forms a tight or "compact" head.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OJw3UkAyyYI/TiCIWhN0PHI/AAAAAAAAAPo/BGcpxqm2qWw/s1600/juncus-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OJw3UkAyyYI/TiCIWhN0PHI/AAAAAAAAAPo/BGcpxqm2qWw/s320/juncus-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Juncus conglomeratus</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9WHq3DncKMA/TiCIVEppMcI/AAAAAAAAAPk/ti8VpJxLYYw/s1600/juncus-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9WHq3DncKMA/TiCIVEppMcI/AAAAAAAAAPk/ti8VpJxLYYw/s320/juncus-2.JPG" width="315" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Juncus conglomeratus</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>There are lots of tracks running through Highgate Common and at one time people could drive their cars right across it. This is no longer the case, but the remaining tracks do open up space for other things to grow. No doubt the sides of these tracks were once a dumping ground for all sorts of rubbish, garden or otherwise, but thankfully that is no longer true. Alongside these tracks there were at least two, if not three, species of thistle growing.<br />
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The first specimen I am not entirely sure on the ID. I have added it to iSpot as a possible Plymouth Thistle (<i>Carduus pycnocephalus</i>), but this is quite rare/causal outside of the Plymouth area so I have my doubts. So far it is two-a-piece for Plymouth Thistle and Creeping Thistle (<i>Cirsium arvense</i>). If anyone has any ideas on the ID then please add it to the comment section. It had some winged spines on the stem, which Creeping Thistle isn't meant to have, but equally the involucral bracts look too short for Plymouth Thistle, making me doubt my initial ID.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4iFtVmrLn8s/TiCIZNOAJsI/AAAAAAAAAP0/KiSyNLjzv2I/s1600/Carduus-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4iFtVmrLn8s/TiCIZNOAJsI/AAAAAAAAAP0/KiSyNLjzv2I/s320/Carduus-1.JPG" width="261" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HwNgzoLv-1U/TiCIbazsMbI/AAAAAAAAAP4/QjrPSbmUhIQ/s1600/Carduus-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HwNgzoLv-1U/TiCIbazsMbI/AAAAAAAAAP4/QjrPSbmUhIQ/s320/Carduus-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-730SksIYMl4/TiCIcRPXUfI/AAAAAAAAAP8/XNEh3NJZtYg/s1600/Carduus-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-730SksIYMl4/TiCIcRPXUfI/AAAAAAAAAP8/XNEh3NJZtYg/s320/Carduus-3.JPG" width="269" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NCNSbDRXYS0/TiCIffC9SVI/AAAAAAAAAQI/HRf_6bOZzoA/s1600/Carduus-4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NCNSbDRXYS0/TiCIffC9SVI/AAAAAAAAAQI/HRf_6bOZzoA/s320/Carduus-4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--V4eHzxgtY8/TiCId5oIeKI/AAAAAAAAAQA/9CpcKxnzmTU/s1600/Carduus-5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--V4eHzxgtY8/TiCId5oIeKI/AAAAAAAAAQA/9CpcKxnzmTU/s320/Carduus-5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I have been reliably informed via iSpot that the next thistle is Creeping Thistle. You will notice that the flower heads are very similar to the first thistle above.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pfR593mvfxM/TiCIhmenhPI/AAAAAAAAAQU/62D-UJSXV64/s1600/Thistle-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pfR593mvfxM/TiCIhmenhPI/AAAAAAAAAQU/62D-UJSXV64/s320/Thistle-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Cirsium arvense</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q44-6ENM8t0/TiCIiRfidgI/AAAAAAAAAQY/2y3QFOfUb6U/s1600/Thistle-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q44-6ENM8t0/TiCIiRfidgI/AAAAAAAAAQY/2y3QFOfUb6U/s320/Thistle-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Cirsium arvense</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--XF7yDAtjrs/TiCIlJIrCtI/AAAAAAAAAQg/8fd--KGUoto/s1600/Thistle-4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--XF7yDAtjrs/TiCIlJIrCtI/AAAAAAAAAQg/8fd--KGUoto/s320/Thistle-4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cirsium arvense</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3GjwIUdoss/TiCIjiSJ72I/AAAAAAAAAQc/UWKhKCBNyxM/s1600/Thistle-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3GjwIUdoss/TiCIjiSJ72I/AAAAAAAAAQc/UWKhKCBNyxM/s320/Thistle-3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cirsium arvense</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The last thistle I noted before leaving was Spear Thistle <i>(Cirsium vulgare</i>). The flower head on this plant was obviously larger. The leaves were hairy and spear like in shape.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JkHJlW6dZOI/TiCImrtfiWI/AAAAAAAAAQk/BPgP1dOX_p0/s1600/Cirsium_vulgare-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JkHJlW6dZOI/TiCImrtfiWI/AAAAAAAAAQk/BPgP1dOX_p0/s320/Cirsium_vulgare-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Cirsium vulgare</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-exodcBxuR10/TiCIoFzwq7I/AAAAAAAAAQo/JJcgCtRcwpE/s1600/Cirsium_vulgare-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-exodcBxuR10/TiCIoFzwq7I/AAAAAAAAAQo/JJcgCtRcwpE/s320/Cirsium_vulgare-2.JPG" width="307" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ggme2O3nt34/TiCIp7YHDwI/AAAAAAAAAQs/GiJcLV5JU5g/s1600/Cirsium_vulgare-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ggme2O3nt34/TiCIp7YHDwI/AAAAAAAAAQs/GiJcLV5JU5g/s320/Cirsium_vulgare-3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gbjtQ032_Uo/TiCItjiGUsI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/4pPVLnSwH3Q/s1600/IMG_3210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gbjtQ032_Uo/TiCItjiGUsI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/4pPVLnSwH3Q/s320/IMG_3210.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BOtP9vbA_7Y/TiCIsivyZaI/AAAAAAAAAQw/FlUZ3DK4KoA/s1600/Cirsium_vulgare-4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BOtP9vbA_7Y/TiCIsivyZaI/AAAAAAAAAQw/FlUZ3DK4KoA/s320/Cirsium_vulgare-4.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Obviously all of these flowering thistles were bound to attract some insects. One of these was a very pretty (or should I say handsome) bee feeding on the thistles. Due to the wind I struggled to get any photos that would do it justice. It turned out that it was a male Large Red Tailed Bumble Bee (<i>Bombus (Melanobombus) lapidarius</i>).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GY1-YDRdQ5o/TiCIgJ8kPOI/AAAAAAAAAQM/z19CZeYZM7g/s1600/Bombus+lapidarius-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GY1-YDRdQ5o/TiCIgJ8kPOI/AAAAAAAAAQM/z19CZeYZM7g/s320/Bombus+lapidarius-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> (<i>Bombus (Melanobombus) lapidarius</i>)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1yowU7Yyw2s/TiCIgtT_6YI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/08hpfRQcOXc/s1600/Bombus+lapidarius-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1yowU7Yyw2s/TiCIgtT_6YI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/08hpfRQcOXc/s320/Bombus+lapidarius-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> (<i>Bombus (Melanobombus) lapidarius</i>)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I thought that the workers were pretty but the male bee is really stunning.<br />
<br />
I also observed a fair few Small Skipper (<i>Thymelicus sylvestris</i>) butterflies feeding on the thistles. Below is a male Small Skipper.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mOiqCpIvKWs/TiCIesv5t-I/AAAAAAAAAQE/iAZ68b5IV1E/s1600/small_skip.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mOiqCpIvKWs/TiCIesv5t-I/AAAAAAAAAQE/iAZ68b5IV1E/s320/small_skip.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Thymelicus sylvestris</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Small Skipper is very similar to Essex Skipper (<i>T. lineola</i>) but the males can be told apart by the difference in size and shape of the male sex-brand. The sex-brand is the black line running through the middle of the fore-wing, but ending before it reaches the tip. It is longer and more distinct in Small Skipper.<br />
<br />
Back to plants and I was quite excited to find this little gem of a plant (below) hiding away amongst some grasses. I didn't have a clue what it was, but it didn't take long for an iSpot member to identify it as Selfheal (<i>Prunella vulgaris</i>). Apparently most of the flowers had fallen off but I still thought it looked rather nice.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oYs-gAwyqBM/TiCIzq0-teI/AAAAAAAAARI/vdvZqP4bHps/s1600/plant-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oYs-gAwyqBM/TiCIzq0-teI/AAAAAAAAARI/vdvZqP4bHps/s320/plant-1.JPG" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Prunella vulgaris</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--nXL-yH0Cx4/TiCI1Y_P6vI/AAAAAAAAARQ/BthQeqj1QRo/s1600/plant-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--nXL-yH0Cx4/TiCI1Y_P6vI/AAAAAAAAARQ/BthQeqj1QRo/s320/plant-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Prunella vulgaris</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Now I have come to the end of this "little" post so I would just like to take the opportunity to thank all the members of <a href="http://www.ispot.org.uk/">iSpot</a> that have helped to identify, or confirm the identity of many of my sightings. Without their help and support I would not be able to put names to some of these photos, and the blog would be much poorer as a result.</div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153815927738135757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558711456755753903.post-90467943489752549972011-07-05T16:58:00.001+01:002011-07-05T17:03:02.166+01:00Belvide 2nd July 2011On Saturday I was up at 4am eagerly anticipating my first ever bird ringing session. Nothing much else could have gotten me up at that time in the morning and I was very tired, but excited nonetheless.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>I have been trying to attend one of these ringing sessions for some time but work and a bout of flu put paid to my plans of attending in the spring.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>Before I get into details though, I guess I should give a little background information for those interested.<br />
<div><div><br />
</div><div>Belvide Reservoir is one of five bird reserves run by the West Midlands Bird Club (<a href="http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/">WMBC</a>). To get access to the reserve you must be a WMBC member. Inclusive membership with a permit for the reserves currently costs £30 per calender year. See their website <a href="http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/">WMBC</a> for more details.</div><div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CC8ktb90AAE/Tg8k4ouLGfI/AAAAAAAAAM8/8oIME84oM0U/s1600/IMAG0094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CC8ktb90AAE/Tg8k4ouLGfI/AAAAAAAAAM8/8oIME84oM0U/s320/IMAG0094.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cumulonimbus cloud passing over Belvide</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><br />
</div><div>There is a brilliant blog for bird sightings at Belvide that gets updated daily by Steve Nuttall. This can be found at <a href="http://www.surfbirds.com/blog/Belvide84">Belvide Birding</a>. I really appreciate Steve's efforts in keeping the blog up to date each day, especially now I know the work involved in keeping a blog running myself. </div><div><br />
</div><div>For those that don't know what bird ringing is there is an FAQ on the BTO website <a href="http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/ringing/about/faqs">here</a></div><div><br />
</div><div>There is also a link on the website above for you to locate and contact your nearest trainer. Ringing birds requires a detailed knowledge of birds, a skilled hand for handling them and as birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, you also need a licence to trap and ring them.</div><div><br />
</div><div>In order to obtain a license which allows you to ring unsupervised you must first be trained by such an experienced person. It can take up to a couple of years for you to obtain a C licence depending on how much free time you and the trainer have for training sessions. The C licence enables you to ring birds by yourself, but under the remote supervision of your trainer.</div><div><br />
</div><div>In my case my nearest trainer is part of the Brewood Ringers Group and they do regular ringing sessions over at Belvide. Their website and blog is located at <a href="http://brewoodringers.com/home">http://brewoodringers.com/</a></div><div><br />
</div><div>I arrived at Belvide Reservoir at bang on 5am to meet up with the ringing group in the car park. Including myself there were only the 3 of us initially, although they often get more people in attendance.</div><div><br />
</div><div>It started off rather cold as there had been a clear sky and light wind all night. It did get sunny and warm later on in the morning though. Peter Bache and Collin McShane went about setting up the nets for the days ringing session. The nets look like big badminton nets, but they have a much finer mesh that the birds find difficult to see and they also have pockets in them made out of the net material for the birds to fall in.</div></div></div></div><div><br />
</div><div>It is very tricky getting the birds out of the nets and it takes a very skilled hand to retrieve the birds from the nets without injuring them. Once a bird was removed from the net it was then placed into a soft, dark bag so that it could be taken back to the ringing station. We visited each net approximately every 20-30min to check for new birds. Once we had checked all of the nets we would then take the birds back to the ringing station (patio furniture). If a bird already had a ring on it, the ring would be checked to see if it was recent. If the ring was recent then it would get released straight away without being placed in a bag.</div><div><br />
</div><div>If a bird didn't have a ring on it, then one would be assigned to that bird and then attached to it's right leg. A record of the ring number, the species of bird, the approximate age of the bird (immature/adult) and if known, the sex of the bird was all made in a log book.</div><div><br />
</div><div>If a bird was a re-trapped bird, then again the same records were made, but without the addition of another ring.</div><div><br />
</div><div>The main benefit from ringing birds comes from re-trapping birds that have already been ringed. Things like time since last capture and distance travelled from the site of last capture can then be worked out. By having a network of constant effort ringing sites and bird observatories across the world, Ornithologists were able to determine approximate migration routes for migratory birds long before the days of GPS.</div><div><br />
</div><div>As this was my first session I wasn't able to remove any of the birds from the nets, but I was allowed to handle and ring the birds under supervision once we got back to the ringing station.</div><div><br />
</div><div>We had a lot of Sedge and Reed Warblers but not much else. There was the occasional Blue Tit, Great Tit and Chiffchaff etc. but numbers were quite low. This didn't really trouble me though as I didn't want to be swamped by lots of birds on my first day.</div><div><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mkkqGGU9GgQ/ThMrsyFduiI/AAAAAAAAANU/y5S1eulB0wo/s1600/IMAG0101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mkkqGGU9GgQ/ThMrsyFduiI/AAAAAAAAANU/y5S1eulB0wo/s320/IMAG0101.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reed Warbler</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vE_u55QOAZY/ThMr39dcs6I/AAAAAAAAANc/7fLiSJZh080/s1600/IMAG0102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vE_u55QOAZY/ThMr39dcs6I/AAAAAAAAANc/7fLiSJZh080/s320/IMAG0102.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Acrocephalus scirpaceus</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><br />
</div><div>For a list of the birds we caught see <a href="http://brewoodringers.com/blog/entry/1959213/disappointing">here</a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Most of the birds were fine to handle but the Blue Tits and Great Tits were a bit of hand full and not in a nice way ;) They were quite aggressive and kept pecking at my fingers!</div><div><br />
</div><div>Overall though it was a very enjoyable experience and one I look forward to repeating in the near future as I attempt to gain my ringing licence.</div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153815927738135757noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558711456755753903.post-42878071592045742122011-06-28T21:34:00.002+01:002012-05-17T19:00:04.868+01:00Palmate Newt 28th June 2011Today I found a young Palmate Newt (<i>Lissotriton helveticus</i>) in my Garden. This is the first time I have ever found a newt in my garden. I get lots of Common Frogs (<i>Rana temporaria</i>) which unfortunately the cats like playing with, but never a newt before. I know there are a few ponds nearby so they must be coming from these. I would like a pond but living in rented accommodation means that I'm not able to add one.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NehmXAxNptQ/TgouIxv6MQI/AAAAAAAAAKk/BEPlgukBRJE/s1600/Lissotriton_helveticus.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="137" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NehmXAxNptQ/TgouIxv6MQI/AAAAAAAAAKk/BEPlgukBRJE/s320/Lissotriton_helveticus.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Lissotriton helveticus</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I was able to entice this little newt into my garden by putting some cover down for it in a damp shady patch under a large tree. This cover came in the form of an old rubber bin lid which had seen better days.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TTg1a9GaWXc/TgouKBV6y2I/AAAAAAAAAKo/LINbyg-WmJc/s1600/bin_lid.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TTg1a9GaWXc/TgouKBV6y2I/AAAAAAAAAKo/LINbyg-WmJc/s320/bin_lid.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Old rubber bin lid which has seen better days</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It has been said that you cannot separate out immature smooth newt from immature palmate newt, but the following article on iSpot shows that you should be able to with relative ease: <a href="http://www.ispot.org.uk/node/173074">ispot.org.uk</a><br />
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The more observant of you might note the vast swathes of chickweed that I have let grow in this part of the garden. A common frog was hiding from the cats in this extensive green cover (which even the most observant of individual wouldn't be able to see in the photo).<br />
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I have found that if you can't afford to buy lots of plants for the garden then you might as well let the weeds grow a bit. Don't get me wrong I do carry out some weeding, but a monoculture of chickweed is better than barren soil for wildlife, even if it looks less tidy to some. I only let the chickweed take over in this shady patch, where it goes a little more unnoticed. I also have some wild Feverfew (<i>Tanacetum parthenuim</i>) growing in the garden, and these make a lovely substitution for bought plants.<br />
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When the weather has been dry like it was last spring, areas of bare soil in the garden got baked dry, but where there was extensive vegetative cover there was plenty of moisture left in the soil, and the insects were taking full advantage of this. Now that we are into summer and we have had some rainfall, areas like this are proving very useful refuges for amphibians too as the plants help retain the moisture from that rainfall. It only takes a few hours of sunlight in the middle of summer to dry out bare soil, even after a heavy shower or two.<br />
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I have been busy with other things lately (namely work and resting from work), but I did get over to Highgate Common again on Tuesday to help with the work party there. We cleared another large section of Bracken from the damp heathland in the north of the reserve. While waiting for all the other volunteers to arrive in the warden office car park we spotting a couple of interesting insects. There was a Broad-barred White moth (<i>Hecatera bicolorata</i>) on the brickwork of the warden's office, and also an Ichneumon wasp landed on the warden's pick-up truck. I believe that the wasp was <i>Ichneumon sarcitorius</i> but I haven't had that verified by an expert yet. I didn't have my camera with me at the time but I managed to make do with my phone. Luckily they both stuck around long enough so that I could play with the settings on the phone's camera.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G5y3DnMqNVU/Tgo1OnK0VnI/AAAAAAAAAK4/6BQwkMB5fzo/s1600/Ichneumon+sarcitorius.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G5y3DnMqNVU/Tgo1OnK0VnI/AAAAAAAAAK4/6BQwkMB5fzo/s320/Ichneumon+sarcitorius.jpg" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Ichneumon sarcitorius?</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UV8rxWs5PW4/Tgo1P8_uFeI/AAAAAAAAALA/j87ezwycZ-0/s1600/Ichneumon+sarcitorius-2.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UV8rxWs5PW4/Tgo1P8_uFeI/AAAAAAAAALA/j87ezwycZ-0/s320/Ichneumon+sarcitorius-2.2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Ichneumon sarcitorius?</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uYe8b7tdNBY/Tgo1SZiwTmI/AAAAAAAAALE/gb_pINkTnEc/s1600/Hecatera_bicolorata.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uYe8b7tdNBY/Tgo1SZiwTmI/AAAAAAAAALE/gb_pINkTnEc/s320/Hecatera_bicolorata.jpg" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Hecatera bicolorata</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I think that they didn't turn out too badly in the end to say they were taken on a camera phone. The reason I think the wasp is <i>Ichneumon sarcitorius </i>is because the leg, antennae and thorax markings are the same as on the picture here: <a href="http://www.natureconservationimaging.com/images/Ichneumon-sarcitorius.jpg">natureconservationimaging.com</a>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153815927738135757noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558711456755753903.post-91576069662485665272011-06-23T21:54:00.001+01:002011-07-15T19:14:48.311+01:00Highgate Common 20th June 2011 part 2<b>Part 2</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
I continued to scan the bee beaches for signs of activity and managed to find a Sand Digger Wasp going in and out of a hole. I watched it for a while and realised that it was actually in the process of excavating its nesting hole. Each time it came out of the hole it would have a lot of sand in its mandibles. It would then fly off a short distance to drop the sand. I even heard it drop a very small stone on the one drop off flight.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f9KwMv16bII/Tf9uuuv7BCI/AAAAAAAAAGo/JIcrUyTpKao/s1600/sand_wasp-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f9KwMv16bII/Tf9uuuv7BCI/AAAAAAAAAGo/JIcrUyTpKao/s320/sand_wasp-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ammophila sp.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S0nHjAoK7pg/Tf9uwIEFVHI/AAAAAAAAAGs/ox3ds1ZPTnU/s1600/Sand_digger.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="311" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S0nHjAoK7pg/Tf9uwIEFVHI/AAAAAAAAAGs/ox3ds1ZPTnU/s320/Sand_digger.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ammophila sp.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>There were also some <i>Nomada Sp. </i>of Cuckoo Bee scouting around for other bee's nests to lay their eggs in (hence the name).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aHkCi0PAbC4/Tf9uoyvueDI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/ndWXvZfdAAc/s1600/Nomada-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="269" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aHkCi0PAbC4/Tf9uoyvueDI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/ndWXvZfdAAc/s320/Nomada-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Nomada Sp.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AEM3s7nAsu4/Tf9uphBmBeI/AAAAAAAAAGY/s09ZUSmvUrc/s1600/Nomada-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AEM3s7nAsu4/Tf9uphBmBeI/AAAAAAAAAGY/s09ZUSmvUrc/s320/Nomada-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Nomada Sp.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I didn't see much more activity so rather than looking at potential nest sites I switched to looking at nectar/pollen sources. The brambles were in flower and were a hive of activity. I couldn't keep up with the amount of bees and wasps coming and going.<br />
<br />
I saw a Cuckoo bumblebee which was either Gypsy Cuckoo Bee (<i>Bombus bohemicus</i>)<i> </i>or Southern Cuckoo Bee (<i>Bombus vestalis</i>). Once again, as the name suggests these bees lay their eggs in the nests of other species. <i>Vestalis </i>lays its eggs in <i>terrestris </i>nests, whereas <i>bohemicus </i>takes over the nests of <i>locurum</i>. I think this was probably <i>vestalis </i>as I also took a photo of <i>Bombus terrestris</i> (second photo, also known as Buff-tailed Bumblebee). I don't know if <i>Bombus locurum </i>(White-tailed) occurs on Highgate or not though so I still can't rule out <i>bohemicus. </i>The two species are very similar - see the BWARS site for <i><a href="http://www.bwars.com/bombus_bohemicus.htm">bohemicus</a> </i>and <i><a href="http://www.bwars.com/Bombus_vestalis.htm">vestalis</a>.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RNlr2kBAbeY/Tf9uyj_j3nI/AAAAAAAAAGw/5pWEVV2BKiE/s1600/Bombus-1.1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RNlr2kBAbeY/Tf9uyj_j3nI/AAAAAAAAAGw/5pWEVV2BKiE/s320/Bombus-1.1.JPG" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bombus bohemicus/vestalis</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zp92-mvqgb4/Tf9uzrxttFI/AAAAAAAAAG0/FM_-IeBA-mQ/s1600/Bombus-2.1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zp92-mvqgb4/Tf9uzrxttFI/AAAAAAAAAG0/FM_-IeBA-mQ/s320/Bombus-2.1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bombus terrestris</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><i> </i>I have been told that the smaller insect in the photo below could be a Common Spiny Digger Wasp <i>Oxybelus uniglumis.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HonQXJbCJwI/Tf9u0PxugmI/AAAAAAAAAG4/ItVT6hVm7lI/s1600/Bombus-2.2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HonQXJbCJwI/Tf9u0PxugmI/AAAAAAAAAG4/ItVT6hVm7lI/s320/Bombus-2.2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bombus terrestris </i>and <i>Oxybelus uniglumis?</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Apparently <i>uniglumis</i> is one of the fastest wasps around. See: <a href="http://www.natureconservationimaging.com/Pages/nature_conservation_imaging_heathland1_sandpits_crabroninae.htm">www.natureconservationimaging.com</a><br />
<br />
As I have probably mentioned before, bees and wasps are a speciality of Highgate with up to 139 species of <i>aculeate</i> h<i>ymenoptera</i> occurring on the site. <i>Aculeate</i> roughly translates to <i> </i>"with a sting" and so only covers those <i>hymenoptera </i>that posses a sting. As far as I can make out, the classification of <i>hymenoptera</i> is currently under review so this grouping may no longer be considered correct.<br />
<br />
It has been well publicised that Honey Bees (<i>Apis mellifera</i>) have been undergoing a rapid decline in numbers recently. I did manage to see some over Highgate though, so at least some hives are still going. Not much is known about their decline, but some attribute it to new types of pesticides called neo-nicotinoids. These have already been banned in many countries as a result.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RRtYhSe1wzs/Tf9u1JPRsSI/AAAAAAAAAHA/CILtM7WNdB4/s1600/Honey.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="303" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RRtYhSe1wzs/Tf9u1JPRsSI/AAAAAAAAAHA/CILtM7WNdB4/s320/Honey.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Apis mellifera</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I saw another species of mining bee that I haven't seen before; it has been suggested that it could be <i>Andrena (Simandrena) dorsata. </i>This bee is quite obviously different to the grey and black mining bees that also occur on the site.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lraA_VudsyQ/Tf9u185ENUI/AAAAAAAAAHE/88p8CF9SoAk/s1600/bee-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lraA_VudsyQ/Tf9u185ENUI/AAAAAAAAAHE/88p8CF9SoAk/s320/bee-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Andrena (Simandrena) dorsata?</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8HnMdzc7TH0/Tf9u26cFKcI/AAAAAAAAAHI/g_p1dG3h2MI/s1600/bee-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8HnMdzc7TH0/Tf9u26cFKcI/AAAAAAAAAHI/g_p1dG3h2MI/s320/bee-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Andrena (Simandrena) dorsata?</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>The following are not the best of photos, but they are my only photographic record of a <i>Cerceris sp. </i>of digger wasp on Highgate so far, probably <i>Cerceris rybyensis.</i> These prey on mining bees like the one above. See: <a href="http://www.natureconservationimaging.com/Pages/nature_conservation_imaging_heathland1_sandpits_cercerissp.htm">www.natureconservationimaging.com</a> for more information (a fantastic website by the way).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U4q2D9r78x0/Tf9u3gHb_QI/AAAAAAAAAHM/UTmERazDPoE/s1600/wasp-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U4q2D9r78x0/Tf9u3gHb_QI/AAAAAAAAAHM/UTmERazDPoE/s320/wasp-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cerceris rybyensis?</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Njwt0ymyW28/Tf9u3-SNoSI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/mzNxA-w-B-s/s1600/wasp-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Njwt0ymyW28/Tf9u3-SNoSI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/mzNxA-w-B-s/s320/wasp-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cerceris rybyensis?</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fZzrzhsQh2Q/Tf9u4nfBLEI/AAAAAAAAAHU/iMmgw7uV4FU/s1600/wasp-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="274" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fZzrzhsQh2Q/Tf9u4nfBLEI/AAAAAAAAAHU/iMmgw7uV4FU/s320/wasp-3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cerceris rybyensis?</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I also managed to grab a photo of a type of carder bee (<i>Bombus (Thoracobombus)</i>) and one of my favourite bees - a Red-tailed Bumblebee (<i>Bombus (Melanobombus) lapidarius</i>).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6U8mMLCRBsA/Tf9u5ZNFZFI/AAAAAAAAAHY/Qh6ePfqBRMM/s1600/red-tailed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6U8mMLCRBsA/Tf9u5ZNFZFI/AAAAAAAAAHY/Qh6ePfqBRMM/s320/red-tailed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Bombus (Melanobombus) lapidarius</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ya2i2A4LmcY/Tf9u6ikILZI/AAAAAAAAAHg/cC_Lrp76gUw/s1600/Bombus-3.2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ya2i2A4LmcY/Tf9u6ikILZI/AAAAAAAAAHg/cC_Lrp76gUw/s320/Bombus-3.2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Bombus (Thoracobombus)</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Moving back to butterflies but with a bee type twist. Whilst taking photos of Large Skipper butterflies (<i>Ochlodes sylvanus</i>) I also managed to get a possible crabronid wasp in the same photo. Another two for one in the same day :)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pglGwZwT3vk/Tf9u7S3LPpI/AAAAAAAAAHk/2tEHR7rXx68/s1600/Large_skip-m.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pglGwZwT3vk/Tf9u7S3LPpI/AAAAAAAAAHk/2tEHR7rXx68/s320/Large_skip-m.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ochlodes sylvanus</i> and possible <i>crabronidae</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qlWQtc7TjY4/Tf9u8BXAuDI/AAAAAAAAAHo/1PG1PiAkbQM/s1600/Large-skip-und.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qlWQtc7TjY4/Tf9u8BXAuDI/AAAAAAAAAHo/1PG1PiAkbQM/s320/Large-skip-und.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ochlodes sylvanus</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M2A1vpbnrKE/Tf9u8-U-MoI/AAAAAAAAAHs/Z6K0vspjLeA/s1600/Large_skip-f.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M2A1vpbnrKE/Tf9u8-U-MoI/AAAAAAAAAHs/Z6K0vspjLeA/s320/Large_skip-f.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ochlodes sylvanus</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>The male Large Skipper can be told from the female by the black line in the middle of each forewing (first photo).<br />
<br />
I also managed to take a photo of a rather odd looking fly, which was a type of Robber fly (<i>Asilidae</i>).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lbRo30ZM1vc/Tf9utWsG0II/AAAAAAAAAGk/MG7AvZUmdYY/s1600/fly.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="313" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lbRo30ZM1vc/Tf9utWsG0II/AAAAAAAAAGk/MG7AvZUmdYY/s320/fly.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Asilidae</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153815927738135757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558711456755753903.post-6639612532514867092011-06-20T17:55:00.000+01:002011-06-20T17:55:45.765+01:00Highgate Common 20th June 2011 part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I'm going to be splitting this trip into two sections as it is quite long. Here is part 1, enjoy!<br />
<br />
I went for another walk over Highgate Common this morning in search of the Longhorn Beetle (<i>Agapanthea villosoviridescens</i>) we found last week. However, trying to find one bug in a large area didn't turn out so well and I failed to re-find it. I decided instead to just go on a long walk across the Common and photograph whatever I came across instead.<br />
<br />
I did find some butterflies in the same area. There was a Common Blue (<i>Polyommatus icarus</i>), Small Heath (<i>Coenonympha pamphilus</i>)<i> </i>and some Ringlets (<i>Aphantopus hyperantus</i>) flying around.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--AuyB6v_ioY/Tf9uh0knaEI/AAAAAAAAAFs/EGFuaHdOQVw/s1600/Common_blue-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="254" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--AuyB6v_ioY/Tf9uh0knaEI/AAAAAAAAAFs/EGFuaHdOQVw/s320/Common_blue-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Polyommatus icarus</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GUN_uawEerM/Tf9uijYQDTI/AAAAAAAAAFw/YCrRrECqCGU/s1600/Common_blue-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="274" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GUN_uawEerM/Tf9uijYQDTI/AAAAAAAAAFw/YCrRrECqCGU/s320/Common_blue-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Polyommatus icarus</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KVSSRV8ZBdo/Tf9ugzilbrI/AAAAAAAAAFk/rxE7L_tNNWY/s1600/Small_Heath-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KVSSRV8ZBdo/Tf9ugzilbrI/AAAAAAAAAFk/rxE7L_tNNWY/s320/Small_Heath-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Coenonympha pamphilus</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zk0JQ6Osduk/Tf9xuAKIoGI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/pqEfnzFDAaM/s1600/Ringlet-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zk0JQ6Osduk/Tf9xuAKIoGI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/pqEfnzFDAaM/s320/Ringlet-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Aphantopus hyperantus</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>There was also a species of Grasshopper present that I managed to photograph, but I haven't managed to ID it yet and a female Common Blue Damselfly (<i>Enallagma cyathigerum</i>).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uZheuYiMTJ0/Tf9ukvQl7hI/AAAAAAAAAF8/RX-hAd0JE2I/s1600/Dams.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uZheuYiMTJ0/Tf9ukvQl7hI/AAAAAAAAAF8/RX-hAd0JE2I/s320/Dams.JPG" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Enallagma cyathigerum</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cVuGHaYd8qk/Tf9ujOQ3QXI/AAAAAAAAAF0/hTMEWexkTBE/s1600/Grasshopper-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cVuGHaYd8qk/Tf9ujOQ3QXI/AAAAAAAAAF0/hTMEWexkTBE/s320/Grasshopper-2.JPG" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unknown Grasshopper </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I also took the opportunity to photograph the Tree Pipits (<i>Anthus trivialus</i>) and Whitethroats (<i>Sylvia communis</i>) that we saw last week.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jDASkPvMF4w/Tf9ueeEbsqI/AAAAAAAAAFY/TTLeKkFMR7g/s1600/tree_pipit-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jDASkPvMF4w/Tf9ueeEbsqI/AAAAAAAAAFY/TTLeKkFMR7g/s320/tree_pipit-1.JPG" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Anthus trivialus</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nrdeFTKDo7k/Tf9unR5ZqrI/AAAAAAAAAGI/_vP0s-aRCiM/s1600/Whitethroat-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nrdeFTKDo7k/Tf9unR5ZqrI/AAAAAAAAAGI/_vP0s-aRCiM/s320/Whitethroat-3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Sylvia communis</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I then went-a-wondering towards one of the small ponds on Highgate. However, just as I got there a dog decided to take a bath. The owner of the dog was also quite happy to let it drink the stagnant water, no wonder the dog started to have a coughing fit!<br />
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Despite this disturbance I did manage to get a photo of an Azure Damselfly (<i>Coenagrion puella</i>). There was some kind of large blue dragonfly patrolling the pond but it never landed for me to get a photo, thus I'm not sure of the species.<br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N3Du21niDuk/Tf9un1DabOI/AAAAAAAAAGM/GQsp8-sHjPA/s1600/Damselfly.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N3Du21niDuk/Tf9un1DabOI/AAAAAAAAAGM/GQsp8-sHjPA/s320/Damselfly.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Coenagrion puella</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The White Water-lilies (<i>Nymphaea alba</i>) were out in flower and I managed to grab a quick photo before said dog arrived on the seen.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8kgT_r5h_-c/Tf9u-kk7EhI/AAAAAAAAAHw/M6sYasQ1_GQ/s1600/Nymphaea.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8kgT_r5h_-c/Tf9u-kk7EhI/AAAAAAAAAHw/M6sYasQ1_GQ/s320/Nymphaea.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Nymphaea alba</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>After the quick trip to the pond I decided to hunt down some bees again by visiting the "bee beaches" and natural bare soil to the north and west.<br />
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On visiting one of the bee beaches I was very pleased to see my first Bloody-nosed Beetles (<i>Timarcha tenebricosa</i>). I thought at first that I was seeing an oil beetle, but the realised on closer inspection that it I had caught two Bloody-nosed Beetles mating. Two for the price of one :)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5o7LeWp4iyg/Tf9usjwByTI/AAAAAAAAAGg/rN_-4qMpICo/s1600/bloody-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5o7LeWp4iyg/Tf9usjwByTI/AAAAAAAAAGg/rN_-4qMpICo/s320/bloody-2.JPG" width="274" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Timarcha tenebricosa</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M2tBHg_ZbBc/Tf9urVl8XVI/AAAAAAAAAGc/sRSV6odL-fs/s1600/bloody-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="299" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M2tBHg_ZbBc/Tf9urVl8XVI/AAAAAAAAAGc/sRSV6odL-fs/s320/bloody-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Timarcha tenebricosa</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I was hoping to see a black mining bee (<i>andrena nigrospina</i>) but it looks like I'll have to put in some more leg work on that one. I'm told it's still early in the year for them so hopefully further visits might be more fruitful.<br />
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Look out for part 2...<br />
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</div></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153815927738135757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558711456755753903.post-42790116470575569882011-06-14T18:23:00.000+01:002011-06-14T18:44:33.638+01:00Garden 13th June 2011<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I haven't been up to much recently as the weather hasn't been the best on my days off. I did go to Highgate Common again today to do some more volunteer work, but bracken clearing doesn't really mix that well with photography. We did see a longhorn beetle (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><i>Agapanthia villosoviridescens</i>)<i> </i>which was a nice find, there was also a family of Common Whitethroats flitting around the heather, some Tree Pipits were doing their parachuting display flight and we saw a sand digger wasp.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I managed to get out in the garden yesterday and take a few photos. The light wasn't good but I did capture some resonable images of two</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">species - <i>Arge pagana</i> a Rose sawfly and <i>Bombus hypnorum</i>, the Tree bumblebee.</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-03HW4cq5Uqw/TfeNBJMiBFI/AAAAAAAAAE0/8uEo7lTVRx4/s1600/Bombus_hypnorum-4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-03HW4cq5Uqw/TfeNBJMiBFI/AAAAAAAAAE0/8uEo7lTVRx4/s320/Bombus_hypnorum-4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5G90kF4Ahxg/TfeM-FaweNI/AAAAAAAAAEo/zuUc1yjsgXs/s1600/unknown_garden+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5G90kF4Ahxg/TfeM-FaweNI/AAAAAAAAAEo/zuUc1yjsgXs/s320/unknown_garden+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">The Tree bumblebee is a newcomer to these shores, having arrived from off the Continent in 2001. It has since quickly spread north. The Bumblebee Conservation Trust is interesting in mapping its progress across the UK, so if you see it you can report it to them here: </span></span><a href="http://www.bumblebeeconservation.org.uk/tree_bee.htm">http://www.bumblebeeconservation.org.uk/tree_bee.htm</a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">It is easy to identify as it is the only species of bumblebee in the UK with a brown/ginger thorax, black abdomen and white tail. However, the individual I found was rather dark. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">John</span></span>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153815927738135757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558711456755753903.post-31820805409263190082011-06-10T04:21:00.000+01:002011-06-14T18:43:58.649+01:00Highgate Common 4th June 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VxeMkTL7S-I/TfGGcGy00gI/AAAAAAAAADk/bKFJjwlA_-Y/s1600/Andrena.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VxeMkTL7S-I/TfGGcGy00gI/AAAAAAAAADk/bKFJjwlA_-Y/s320/Andrena.JPG" width="275" /></a></div>Rebecca and I went for a trip over Highgate Common last weekend to take some photos of the insects there.<br />
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We didn't see as many insects as we would have liked as the weather took a turn for the worse after such a promising start. When we got up at about 11am (we were having a lazy day) it was hot and sunny, but when we were ready to go out it had clouded over and the wind had picked up. By the time we had finished our walk it was starting to rain.<br />
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The best location we found was a bare patch of ground on a footpath, which had obviously been kept clear of vegetation by the many visitors to the reserve over the last weeks, months and years. Despite this disturbance there were many holes in the ground which bees and wasps had dug to make their nests. Here we saw Grey Mining Bees and another bee of the genus Sphecodes.<br />
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I think what also made this area ideal for bees was that it was on a warm SSW facing slope. Many mining bees seem to really like warm sunny areas, maybe because it helps to keep the soil dry?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fw3A9SlIEHs/TfGGcM2E-yI/AAAAAAAAADk/xUTv0Jlbpck/s1600/unknown-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fw3A9SlIEHs/TfGGcM2E-yI/AAAAAAAAADk/xUTv0Jlbpck/s320/unknown-2.JPG" width="276" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VY7knbOTqIU/TfGGcL8-PoI/AAAAAAAAADk/F4QRx17iaH0/s1600/Andrena-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VY7knbOTqIU/TfGGcL8-PoI/AAAAAAAAADk/F4QRx17iaH0/s320/Andrena-2.JPG" width="279" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VQPhHVHQG6Q/TfGGcCk2EbI/AAAAAAAAADk/evq4MHK3V4o/s1600/Andrena-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VQPhHVHQG6Q/TfGGcCk2EbI/AAAAAAAAADk/evq4MHK3V4o/s320/Andrena-3.JPG" width="275" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The wardens at Highgate have also created some "Bee Beaches" but they didn't seem to be a hive of activity when we visited. It could be because plants had started to grow in what should have been bare ground or it could simply be that we were unlucky not to see anything buzzing around at the time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In and around the same area of the Common we also found a Garden Chafer climbing up some grass. I also managed to get it to climb up my hand so I could get a closer look.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UWP4jmNSeHA/TfGGcAr0YTI/AAAAAAAAADk/Ru76BQGPfpw/s1600/Phyllopertha_hoticola-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UWP4jmNSeHA/TfGGcAr0YTI/AAAAAAAAADk/Ru76BQGPfpw/s320/Phyllopertha_hoticola-2.JPG" width="279" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uKiWio6alAg/TfGGcEs6RPI/AAAAAAAAADk/S8ez9vLQ4RM/s1600/Phyllopertha_hoticola.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uKiWio6alAg/TfGGcEs6RPI/AAAAAAAAADk/S8ez9vLQ4RM/s320/Phyllopertha_hoticola.JPG" width="276" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A Buff-tailed Bumble Bee landed on the footpath looking a little worse for wear. Despite the picture I don't think they like making there nests in bare, sandy ground like the Grey Mining Bee.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-flO7sRf75LA/TfGGcKNCIWI/AAAAAAAAADk/MyvtgJ0ExCI/s1600/Bumblebee.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-flO7sRf75LA/TfGGcKNCIWI/AAAAAAAAADk/MyvtgJ0ExCI/s320/Bumblebee.JPG" width="275" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A little way further on our walk and we spotted a day flying moth. This was a Six-spot Burnet moth. These closely resemble Cinnabar moths but as the name suggests they are more spotty. It decided it liked the look of my jeans so I had to get Rebecca to take the photo.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3vN3iw12fDw/TfGGcBUp56I/AAAAAAAAADk/WTMMDSBFxDU/s1600/Zygaena_filipendulae.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3vN3iw12fDw/TfGGcBUp56I/AAAAAAAAADk/WTMMDSBFxDU/s320/Zygaena_filipendulae.JPG" width="276" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I hope you enjoy the pictures.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks for reading, John.</div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153815927738135757noreply@blogger.com0