QUICKSILVERBIRDS BLOG

The wanderer returns

2009-07-12T10:21:00.003+01:00

Just a quick note to say thank you for the comments and so on in my absence. I'll post a proper posting on the trip to the Isle of Man in a day or so, but for the moment you may like to know that my first website article for the BBC is now live and kicking if you'd like a peek its here...... Out of the Wild http://www.bbc.co.uk/outofthewild/ is the BBC's website dedicated to those on production and stories they come across.

Oh and no posting is complete with out a photo...... what an eejit!

Au Revoir - temporarily

2009-06-14T20:36:00.008+01:00

Self and Sprout the greyhound, Sand Bay this afternoon

Some of you who follow this blog may have noticed that I've not written anything for over a fortnight. I knew June was going to be a busy month, and so it is turning out to be; so little time to stop and stare, let alone write something worth reading.

So a decision:

For the next month or so, unless something monumental happens, I'll be off-blog as they say. I shall though return, bronzed (Isle of Man in the rain) fit (carrying cases and sound equipment to Isle of Man) and Adonis like........ maybe that's going a bit far.

And so until my return, please keep tuned into NHU Radio on Radio 4, Nature, Living World, A Guide to Waterbirds, and most importantly David Attenborough's Life Stories which I'm involved with. Go on have a listen, you will be amazed how good they are.

Until July then I wish you adieu........... must fly!!

Bats Before Bedtime

2009-05-27T06:55:00.006+01:00

Last night saw me down on the Somerset Levels. I had been watching Springwatch, and at about 8.30 I looked out the window and thought, hang on, it's such a beautiful evening what on earth am I doing inside watching television. Sorry chaps, the call of the wild I'm afraid.

We'd had a few heavy showers over the day, but by the evening strong clear sunlight dazzled the countryside, with that intensity one gets after rain as the air is purged of all impurities and heightens the light.

My intention was to drive down to Catcott and hunt a barn owl or two. So half an hour later I found myself standing in a field, surrounded by buttercups and flag iris. Around me flew swallows, from every shrub and tree garden, willow and cetti's warblers made merry with the still air, now the wind had dropped, filling the dusk with an evening chorus. Young cattle bounded and skittered across the field and stood looking at me, not quite knowing what to do until a Buzzard flew across the field, something to chase and they were off. Leaving me to my reverie. On the river, a dozen or more mute swans, a shovler and a selection of mallard, completed a pastoral scene of England, accentuated by Glastonbury Tor in the distance. I was at peace with the world. Sadly though not a single barn owl came into view.

All was not quite peaceful actually. One of the dangers, if that is the right word word, of being on the Somerset Levels at dusk, are mosquitoes, midge and a whole host of bitey annoying little fellahs. I was scanning along the hedgeline hoping to spy a barn owl, but above me there was a constant high pitched humming and buzzing as a cloud of flying insects gathered above me poised to feed. I took a photo (above). If you look closely, there are a few spots on there but that could have been dust on the lens. So a brainwave, put the flash on....................

What a difference and I just think this is beautiful in it's own right. doesn't matter what these are. Like stars in the sky. Those insects are now caught for all time, when we all know in a day or so they will be no more. I had to try another.

It was about 9.30pm now and the light was fading fast. First then a daylight shot taken without the flash (above). Nice in a way but not much to see. But switch the flash on and WOW!!! an absolutely breathtaking photo which really made me think, wildlife is art, art is wildlife. Unplanned but beautiful. Before then I'd not thought of taking photos of insects with the flash, but the effect for me at least was a revelation. The Sky at Night!

That was a good enough end to my visit to the Levels. So at 9.45pm as it was getting seriously dark, I walked back to the car. Something told me to take a detour on the way home. Unsure why, I drove down a very narrow track and in doing so careered headlong into a bat bonanza. In the car headlights, bats wheeled and whirred in all directions, picking off unsuspecting moths trapped by an automotive moonbeam.

Spurred on by my gnat flash photos, could I bag a bat the same way. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, so now, even though after 10pm and nearly dark I began.

First of all this was the scene using the camera and the flash off. It was dark, but all around me bats flashed just feet away. Flash on, and after a couple of failed attempts, the third photo, bingo, what a stunner!

Then the bats came thick and fast, it was almost like the flash was attracting them, or maybe it attracted insects as all of a sudden there were bats everywhere. Sadly after the success of the above photo I never got the bat velocity to Andrew's trigger finger ratio in total harmony. I got the bats but they were a bit distant, those blobs in the middle of the photo (but click to enlarge for a better view).

But hey it was now 10.30 and I thought well, you've had a darn good evening Andrew, time to head home, cocoa, slippers and look at the photos in the warm on the laptop. Just one last photo though. Honestly this was the very last photo I took and what a banker of a shot. Top stuff for me. Just a hand held camera and the speed of my eye and finger co-ordination, no fancy electronics and trigger switches, just being there the right place at the right time. I'm pleased as a punch.

And what are they? Well I believe Noctule bats because of the rich creamy red underside, but more than happy for anyone with more knowledge than me to put me right on that one. I just enjoyed being out on the Somerset Levels in the dark, seeing wildlife in a totally different way.

Sorry Springwatch, I'm sure it was a great programme, but this was better.

Viewing life the Sand Bay Way

2009-05-20T22:00:00.007+01:00

This morning I headed down to Sand Bay in time to be there at 6.40am. I'd hoped to do a spot of bird watching, but these last few weeks down there have been pretty much a bird free zone. Take today, a few Shelduck, Carrion Crow, Starling and a single Curlew were about all of note. So while doing my 3 mile round trip walk, I thought hey why not do an overview of Sand Bay, a few images of the lesser known parts of the Bay.

So put on your slippers, make a cup of hot chocolate and peruse the following 10 photos; an idiosyncratic view of a muddy bay just north of Weston Super Mare. Somewhere I spend an awful lot of time at. I'll let the captions tell the story.

The walk began with the first footstep. After 171 footsteps I stopped to take a photograph of Birnbeck pier and Steep Holm island. Realising my shadow was in the way, why not make this a feature of the image.

Moving back onto the sand dunes, this is a much more photogenic look at the same view. Looks exotic, who needs the Caribbean when one has views like this in deepest Somerset.

The area is a real mix of native and escapee garden plants. These gloriously vibrant Iris's come under the latter category. I do like Iris's. But do Iris's like me?

At the opposite end of the Bay by the Nature Reserve the more usual Flag Iris's were not quite as advanced and remained in sword like form.

Mind you there were some birds around after all, such as these 2 Greenfinches on the sea wall path. I never thought seeing Greenfinches on a concrete path would would bring me such joy. At last a photo of wildlife!

This Bay is home to huge numbers of overwintering Shelduck, where they come here to moult. Though by the time spring has arrived, there are just a handful left. Most are non breeding individuals, but occasionally they will breed here. Anyway these footprints in the mud are proof they are still about. Or Herring Gulls are wearing duck shaped wellies.

Embryonic delta forming in the sand, or is it a symbolic representation of the Crucifixion.

A lug worms view of a lug worms house. Or is it the Bay of Islands in Lilliput.

Come to Sand Bay, driftwood and dangerous mud, everyone's idea of heaven. Bring the children.

When I come here for a walk with my neighbour, we usually end up here to sit and catch our breath while watching the view before going home. The chips shop is close by too, an added bonus.

And we're back to where I started, the view from the shelter and the newly erected sign which in my view ruined the view. But then I like it wild and woolly..... speaking of which Wales is just 10 miles away as the sardine swims. Max Boyce anyone?

Gravelling for fun

2009-05-18T07:38:00.005+01:00

In a moment of madness a few weeks ago, I thought about having a gravel patio at the bottom of the garden. Andrew and DIY don't really mix. I can do most things, but don't enjoy the struggle and realise there's always a tool I need I haven't got. Those around me don't enjoy the fragrant language and resulting chaos. But feint hear never won a coconut at the fair, so during the last Bank Holiday I set to.

Where this feat of civil engineering was planned had been a patio of sorts. About 3 years ago I was trying to be environmentally friendly, so built a seating area using wood chips and while for 2 days after putting this down it looked fine, for the next 3 years it became a breeding ground for slugs, snails and anything wet and slimy. And sitting there for any length of time became an acrobatic performance as the chairs sank into the developing compost. Hopeless.

So the whole area was dug out to 4 inches, compost put on the flowerbeds and a treated wood box with membrane was created to befriend some gravel. Slight problem there as I hadn't bought the gravel yet. I wanted red chippings to remind me of Biddlestone in Northumberland, but everyone down here just sold cream or grey stuff.

So once the membrane was down I couldn't go any further, thoughts did pass my mind just to leave it like this, but maybe not.

This was Bank Holiday Sunday.

Bank Holiday Monday saw me at the North Somerset Agricultural Show, far too many llamas there this year for my liking, they kept pinching the best views with their long necks. However almost the first stand I saw was Nailsea Patio Supplies, lo and behold they did tonne bags of red quartz, not quite Biddlestone red but close enough. And a 10% discount if bought at the Show. Go on admit it, you've all been to a show and bought a tonne of gravel in a dumpy bag. Getting it home on the back of my bike was entertaining....

...... no I'm joshing, I had it delivered. And duly it arrived on Monday last week plonked on the drive. For various reasons I couldn't move this until Thursday but on that morning at 7am, you would have found Andrew on his drive, shovel moving like a flashing blade, wheeling gravel round the back at a speed Jenson Button would be surprised at, and so by 8am, that tonne of gravel had been moved, and not even a bacon sarnie had been consumed. But disaster. I was about 6 small bags of gravel short. I thought a tonne would be plenty, it was only 4 inches deep after all, so a career in quantity surveying is maybe not for me.

Saturday morning therefore took me back to Nailsea Patio supplies, 6 bags of Red Quarts and the job was done by lunchtime. I can't believe there is a tonne and a 6th of gravel there, where does it all go? But it allowed for this arty shot of the finished product in the evening as I supped a flagon of tea.

I like it but blimey...... £83 for the tonne of gravel plus £17.94 for 6 additional bags, £5 for a lump hammer, £18.00 for treated timber, £4.20 for membrane and £29,00 for a wheelbarrow. Everything else was priceless... there must be more to life than DIY!!

And if I see a slug, there'll be trouble, trouble I tell you

Herefordshire...... is a sound place

2009-05-13T07:42:00.005+01:00

Every time I head off to Malvern for the Spring Gardening Show, I always say to myself, I must come back here and visit this area properly. Hereford, Worcester and Shropshire are a bit of a closed book to me, yet easily reachable for a day out.

Anyway yesterday, I had a chance to do just that, as I was out on my first location recording of Radio 4's Living World at a location in Hereford. And what a beautiful spot. The National Trust property we went to, Brockhampton, has ancient orchards, amongst many other charms. This is an area of Hereford I do not know. So the drive up was great, sun shining and the countryside just looked absolutely stunning. You know those few days which occur each season when everything is "just right"

Anyway we duly decamped, met up with the National Trust team, said our hello's and then I was sent off to a far and distant corner of an ancient orchard (containing relic agricultural machinery) to record some atmospheres. Which is obviously a euphemism, for "get the idiot out of the way, we have proper work to do" So off I went to frighten some wildlife with my Rycote microphone and Nagra recording kit.

In this image I'm recording the sound of a fence post. It didn't make much sound, but after 20 minutes I had enough material to return to the fold and say I'd finished. By the way one shouldn't hold the microphone, as they're very sensitive. This was pointed out to me yesterday!!

But what a cracking place this estate is. You'll have to listen to the programme to find out what was going on, so book mark the Living World Radio 4 site here. I think this programme is going out in June, but will let you know. But if any of you out there are into insects, I think you will like this one, Mistletoe Weevil and Noble Chafer to name but two stars of the show.

And finally I'm going to enter this in a wildlife photography competition. I think you will agree this is just a stunning photo of a Cardinal Beetle. The clarity and composition are second to none!!!!!!!!! (oh if you can't see it, it's behind that nettle leaf).

Malvern Spring Garden Show 2009

2009-05-10T22:03:00.003+01:00

Last year I began then abandoned a gardening blog. I abandoned it purely due to lack of time as after wildlife, gardening is my next passion. Therefore just to redress the balance, a gardening posting today.

A purchase of mine - Allium "purple sensation"

I've been coming to Malvern on and off for 20 years, and it's always a good show. This year however things were a little subdued, with fewer show gardens and those there smaller. And actually I preferred it that way, as the gardens made more sense to the average gardener.

What I have also realised is that I forgot to make notes which garden was which garden, so the following half a dozen photos are just "gardens", the images taken because I liked the subject, and usually as there was an emphasis on movement, which is what I always like in a show garden.

This garden was just a riot of colour. Didn't seem to have any theme to the planting, but it worked for me.

I loved this garden for it's simplicity. Built for a Hospice, the steel pole in this image was actually a tree, the leaves of which contained the names of the people in the Hospice.

Your man Joe Swift with a chicken.... the one on the right had literally just laid an egg on stage.

This was a great simple garden, but the sculpture made it for me. I hunted out the metalworker on his stand, he had some fab pieces, at fab prices too. Good for inspiration though.

Just loved this edging, an end to the photos.

Does anyone have a photo of....

2009-05-07T18:09:00.002+01:00

This is a strange posting, because I'm on the scrounge. Basically and I'll not say too much on the blog, but I'm looking on behalf of a colleague photographs of 3 birds, Cetti's Warbler, Spotted Crake and Common Sandpiper.

What my colleague is looking for are free to use photos (ie no fee is available for use), which will be used as thumbnails on a website; click on the thumbnail and listen to some audio clips. We've been down the RSPB route etc, but these three are elusive little fellas. Any images used can be credited on the website.

If you have an image, know of someone who has and willing to help etc, please drop me an e-mail, and I can explain more.

A Beltane May-Day

2009-05-01T17:38:00.005+01:00

This year is colder than last year. And how do I know this? Well because a year ago today, the hawthorn blossom was starting to flower quite nicely. And today on Beltane Day, I only found a single solitary Hawthorn flower out on the same tree I photographed last year.

See last year's posting here.

So there you go, must be a whole 2 days behind last years emergence. Proof if proof were needed it's getting colder!

It's been a good day today. Another trip to Sand Bay before work to photograph the driftwood shelters. Sadly as can be seen below, two have collapsed, but the other one stands for all to see. I wonder if anyone will rebuild them over the Bank Holiday weekend?

Bird wise Sand Bay lived up to it's reputation. I could have swung a pair of Swarovski binoculars about my person for half an hour without hitting a single bird. The skylarks though were singing well, and back at the car a single long tailed tit bobbled about which was a good end to the walk.

However walking into work later, my first screaming swift over Clifton (Bristol). We have a bit of an informal competition who can hear a swift first at work. And I was beaten by Sarah, a radio producer by 45 minutes...... can you believe it!!

But from that a mad poetry session followed, which began with this missive from myself I composed between the BBC Club and the office while fetching a cup of tea.

Mayday turns into summer

Clifton swifts scream overhead

So glad it wasn't a herring gull

Dropping fish onto my head

and from there I received 3 back from various people, but I'll leave the last piece of poetry to Edward Thomas, one of England's greatest poets (in my view at least)

HOW AT ONCE

How at once should I know,

When stretched in the harvest blue

I saw the swift's black bow,

That I would not have that view

Another day

Until next May

Again it is due?

The same year after year --

But with the swift alone.

With other things I but fear

That they will be over and done

Suddenly

And I only see

Them to know them gone.

And finally, it that wasn't all enough excitement on a Friday before a Bank Holiday, this week there was a fabulous Radio 4 Programme on the history of Wildlife TV. If you missed it, here's the link to the listen again site. The Balancing Bluebottle.

First Whimbrel

2009-04-29T17:17:00.005+01:00

Just a quick posting as I had a wonderful early morning stroll along my local patch, Sand Bay

I only ever seem to go down there when the tide is somewhere between Cardiff and the east coast of America. No matter how much I look at tide tables or throw a cod into the wind or rub two bits of seaweed together, or whatever one needs to do to predict high tide, when I have time to go, I can't see the sea. I can hear it, but it's not there.

But that doesn't matter, I love this place for it's rugged and messy charm. Recently someone has been creating driftwood shelters along the beach, if I'd had my camera with me you'd have had a nice photo. As it was I didn't so the photo above was taken in March, before the driftwood works of art appeared.

Today's bird count was meagre, but noteworthy. First off a Little Egret in a pool, then a fair number of Curlew and Shelduck, but then faffing about at the edge of the marsh, 3 Whimbrel, my first such birds this spring. Watched them for a bit, plus a fair number of Swallows which were skimming the marsh. Time to walk back, when I heard a cronk cronk... but couldn't see anything. There is was again a cronk cronk at which point I did indeed see the Raven flying along the coast, being harried by a Carrion Crow. Just made my morning. That and a cackling Green Woodpecker in the woods, which I think is the first one I've heard in the Bay.

Finally, to close this posting, a spot of blatant advertising for the Avon Wildlife Trust. One of the Trustees has spent a year getting a live feed from a Blue Tit nest box onto the web. So if you wish to view live Blue Tit's doing what live Blue Tits do in a nest box, click here.

At last the Easter results

2009-04-26T22:07:00.007+01:00

At last my laptop is working well and I can get the half a dozen Easter birding challenge results up and running. Apologies again, all to do with an update from Adobe, which threw a spanner in the works, literally.

It's been a pretty busy weekend so far, as yesterday I went to Grand Designs Live at the ExCel Centre in London's East End, a fabulous, if a very long day, but made all the more better by seeing 2 Red Kites near Oxford. And if you are into Grand Designs here's you man Kevin spouting forth. Though we agreed George Clark's talk was very inspirational.

Then this afternoon and evening I've been at that well known birder Stephen Moss's 49th birthday birdwatch followed by beer and chilli at his gaff on the Levels. Thankfully the weather stayed dry even though all around it looked like rain. A great afternoon birding at Shapwick Heath on the Somerset Levels with about 30 assorted friends, family small children etc. Highlights 16 Hobby's (one below), Gadwall, Ruff, Black Tail Godwits in cinnamon plumage, and hundreds of Swifts.

Also this week out of the blue, Diana Moore came across one of my images of Jackdaws on a chimney and asked me if I'd allow the image to be used by her for a poem she'd written about Jackdaws. Which is great stuff and so I agreed. If you'd like to see the poem and the image, it can be found here.

AND SO TO THE EASTER RESULTS

Thanks for all of you who took part. Not as many as at Christmas but that doesn't matter, it's all about a bit of fun, as I appreciate Easter is a very busy time for most people. And so as in all things, in reverse order.

First off the block,

Alan at Tales of the Wild with 21

Very credible Alan. His highlights included Greater-spotted woodpecker and Garden warbler However Alan added his own rule. He actually had to see the birds. As he said in hindsight it's been such a great weekend for birdsong that was probably a mistake and I could have probably added at least another half-dozen to my score, but rules are rules!

Goosey at Snowgoosey blog with 22

Highlights here included Yellowhammer, Spotted Flycatcher and Oystercatcher

Good to see you take part Goosey, have you hit your 100 birds this year yet?

Then comes me with 48

Mainly from the north east and my Easter trip. My list is here.

Joe at Joe's wildlife Garden with a very respectable 54,

Highlights were,Gadwall, Red Kite, Mediterranean Gull, Swallow, plus a Fulvous Whistling Duck (a rare non-resident seen at the Titchfield Haven).

His commoner misses were Coal Tit, Pheasant and Kestrel.

Great to see young entries. Thanks for taking part Joe, your Easter Eggs looked great too.

Warren Baker at Pittsood Birds upped the anti with 61

All of which came from his local patch, which always makes Warrens blog worth a read and shows the value of knowing your local area very well.

ST up in Northumberland a very good 62

Good stuff ST, as you noted your low was still waiting for Wheatear (hope you have that now), but highlights were Garganey, Swallow, Yellow wagtail and my last bird was a first for the year, Sand Martin.

And finally the Easter Winner is.......... !!!!!

Pete at Sheffield Birds had the winner with 69

Some nice birds in there Blackcap, Treecreeper, Willow Warbler, Dipper, Stock Dove and Gadwall And a few he missed Great Spotted Woodpecker, Little Ringed Plover, Sand Martin, Stonechat and Sparrowhawk.

Well done Pete and thank you again to all of you for taking part, even those of you who maybe did but didn't submit results. It's just good to get out there.

Gremlins

2009-04-21T18:10:00.003+01:00

Just a quick note. For reasons which need no explanation (because I'm a technophobe and don't understand software fatal errors) I've not posted the results yet. Laptop is playing up. Apologies for that, the half a dozen results will be posted very soon. This one is from work, but no time to do a proper post.

Only birding of note this week has been a Tree Pipit at Badbury Rings in Dorset on Saturday, first one I've seen for years, though watching the many Skylarks singing was just as much of a treat, they're wonderful.

My 200th Post - Easter Bird Tally 48

2009-04-17T13:07:00.005+01:00

Would you believe it, this is my 200th posting on this blog. Looking back I'm amazed at what I've written. Many people have said to me what I write is quite frankly........ unbelievable!!

And who am I to dispel the myth. And so to my Quicksilverbirds Easter Challenge results. There is still time to submit your entries, not as many compared to Christmas, but every one counts. But to get the ball rolling herewith my 48 species while not really doing any birding; drum roll please Mr Blackbird (who squawked his way through Easter non-stop in my parents garden, what a racket as they built a nest in the Holly Tree)

Good Friday 10.04.09

Parents Garden

1. Blackbird
2. Song Thrush
3. Collard Dove
4. Goldfinch
5. Wood Pigeon
6. Carrion Crow
7. Blue Tit
8. Dunnock

Houghall / Durham walk

9. Chiffchaff
10. Great Tit
11. Wren
12. Tree Sparrow
13. Magpie
14. Great Spotted Woodpecker
15. Green Woodpecker
16. Nuthatch
17. Robin
18. Mallard
19. Mute Swan
20. Herring Gull

Easter Saturday 11.04.09

Parents Garden

21. Jackdaw
22. House Sparrow
23. Starling
24. Rook
25. Skylark – singing overhead
26. House Martin

Herrington Park near Penshaw Monument

27. Canada Goose
28. Coot
29. Moorhen
30. Tufted Duck
31. Black Headed Gull

Boldon Flats Nature Reserve

32. Grey Heron
33. Wigeon (only two left)
34. Curlew
35. Lapwing
36. Chaffinch
37. Greenfinch
38. Yellowhammer
39. Pheasant
40. Wheatear (2)
41. Linnet
42. Teal
43. Snipe

Easter Sunday 11.04.09

44. Mistle Thrush – parents garden
45. Kittiwake – Newcastle Quayside

Easter Monday 12.04.09

Driving back south

46. Swallow – near Thirsk, North Yorkshire
47. Goldcrest – Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire
48. Buzzard – A46 in Leicestershire (my only Bird of Prey)

Quite interesting what one can see by really not looking, if that makes sense, as I was socialising a bit too much. Top spot had to be the Tree Sparrow at Houghall Farm, another one of those, always double check a LBJ, as I'd assumed it'd be a House Spuggy. Also the pair of Wheatears at Boldon Flats, which I spied just as I was about to get into the car and did a final sweep with the bins. A distinct lack of Birds of Prey though, in fact if I hadn't got that Buzzard at 7.30pm on the way home, I'd have had nowt.

I'll leave you with this photo of Leopard’s Bane Doronicum orientale which grows like a weed in my parents garden in great drifts. Nice and colourful way to end this posting.

I'll post all the results on Sunday Evening, once I'm back from Dorset.

A Canny trip

2009-04-14T07:48:00.003+01:00

Well I'm back from my trip up north and a good time was had by all. Sadly though due to pressing social engagements didn't really have time to go birdwatching, but still managed to clock up a respectable 50 ish (l'll post the results later as I've mislaid my list) while out and about doing other things.

Quite funny seeing this picture, as although I came from the North East, I never knew anyone who was involved with "the coal industry", so it was quite nice to learn what went on at Houghall Colliery, especially as in 1981-2 I attended Houghall Agricultural College as a spotty youth, and never knew there was a former pit next door...... too busy having shandies and chasing Sophie Kearns, where is she now eh? Mind you it was good to go back for a walk around the area, as at the Farm, a Tree Sparrow made a pleasant surprise.

By the way if anyone is reading this from my time at Houghall, this is Silage writing - remember me, get in tough if you do ....... and for anyone else, this is a very long story, I'll not even try to explain why I had that nick name, even with the lecturers.

And how this for a canny view of the best Cathedral in Europe, click to enlarge..... after all this is why it's become a World Heritage Site. This was taken from the Observatory Hill and I have to say I don't think I've ever seen this view of Durham Cathedral before on any brochures. A great way to spend a Good Friday, walk the Wear with friends, spot of food to follow and then an evening of social chit chat over a glass or two of vino d grape.

I do have to admit to doing some bird watching, actually I was off to see a mate and stopped at Boldon Flats for 15 minutes, nothing spectacular here, though some gloriously bright Yellowhammers, until I spied these two Wheatears just as I was about to get back in the car. Great find and a welcome sign of the gathering migration. Shame they weren't nearer mind you for a better photo.

Most of the weekend however was spent at the SAGE in Gateshead at the Fiddles on Fire weekend. I had a spell of playing the Fiddle a while back, but gave it up through lack of time; however going here made me really think about getting the old instrument out and twanging a few tunes out again. I think the SAGE is fabulous as a building, so on Sunday evening while waiting to see the Blazing Fiddles concert, I took a fair few artistic photos, while also watching the Kittiwakes which nest nearby. Maybe a painting in here one day, though I have already painted the Sage for my father.

Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham on Saturday night were excellent, but I have to say the 49 fiddlers from the Workshops, plus the 18 from Folkestra and then the finale of Blazing Fiddles kicking up a storm with 3 guest world class fiddlers, were absolutely fantastic. Mind you I'm getting old, a long walk on Friday followed by two late nights and the drive back yesterday, I'm a shadow of my former self. A red shadow as got sun burnt on Sunday as well.

And then you come outside to go home and greeted by the Millennium Bridge in all it's finery. Anyone who says the North East is grim should visit.

More on the Easter Challenge during the week, hope you all had a good time whether taking part or not.

Where to go Wild in Britain; an Easter Challenge

2009-04-09T06:41:00.007+01:00

A few weeks ago I was contacted by a member of the Dorling Kindersley publishing team out of the blue. Someone in the team had read my blog and I was e-mailed to see if I'd consider writing a review of a soon to be published book. I have to say no money is changing hands in this process, so after a few e-mails back and forth I agreed. I've now had a chance to read it and with Easter banging on the door for a well deserved break for many of you, it seemed apt to post the review today.

Where to go Wild in Britain; a month by month guide to the UK's best wildlife experiences is a substantial tome at 336 pages. ISBN 978-1-4053-3512-6

Dorling Kindersley are well known for producing well researched, clearly set out and easy to read books. This one, produced in co-operation with the RSPB is I have to say a little gem, well actually it's a big gem as it is a bit of a heavyweight. It's too big to taken into the field, but that's not really what it's for. This is a lavishly put together and well planned guide.

Mike Dilger, a friend of mine, writes the forward although I didn't know this before I received the book; in this he says "...a selection of the finest places and most extraordinary sights the British Isles has to offer". And that really sums up the aim of this book. There are a bewildering array of books on the market offering best places to visit in the UK; but I do have to say this one does seem to have pitched itself at the right level and found a niche. A book like this can only ever offer a selection of sites to visit, but having looked through some areas of the UK I know well, it does cover what I'd expect to see very well. This isn't however an identification guide. What I think this does well, is simply puts across where to go and what you'll see when you're there, in an easy to read guide for the family or the enthusiastic amateur naturalist alike.

One of the main things we in the "profession" overlook is that when beginning an interest in Wildlife watching it is often daunting to know where to go, not just to see nature, but to feel safe in the countryside. Often people feel intimidated asking someone for information when out in the field, we've all experienced the frosty look of an optic laden camoflaged wildlife watcher when asking what he's looking at. So this book should go some way to helping find that wildlife site near you, or what to see when on holiday or days out.

Clearely set out on a month by month basis, the beginning of each month gives a 2 page spread of where to go during that month. This is then followed by more in depth information about these places or individual species on the following pages. This is a boon for the beginner. Suggesting a visit to see the massed starlings on the Somerset Levels is one thing, but I've been asked numerous times in the summer months, will I see them today, only to see a crestfallen look as I say you'll need to come back in December or January. We often over look that many wildlife spectacles only happen for a short few weeks, or even days, such as Mayfly emergence. Knowing when to go, how to get there and just as importantly where it is safe to go and see this is well set out in this book.

The left hand column of the in depth pages gives a map of where this place is and clear information such as contact details, getting there, access, opening times and of course if there's a charge for visitors. The right hand column suggests other locations with similar wildlife around the UK. The bulk of the text gives just the right amount of information on the subject, though it would have been nice to have a further reading section on these pages for those wanting to know a bit more. But this is a very minor point.

There are also handy regional maps and a directory in the back of the book to source that piece of wildlife near you. As with all DK books the photographs are stunning and actually I just enjoyed reading through the book and looking at the images, and of course you just have to indulge me in using the Holy Island page as an example for the blog.

I actually liked this book very much (and remember I'm not getting paid for saying this either). It isn't an academic paper, or an identification guide, it is just what it says on the tin, or should that be cover; a guide to where to watch wildlife in the UK. Aimed at families and beginners to wildlife watching, I was surprised how many places I found I'd like to go to myself so would recommend it to everyone with a quest to discover something new out there. My only reservation is it's size, so really this is a stay at home coffee table book, and at £25 a grande cappuccino read. But I thoroughly enjoyed sitting with a glass of wine and planning a few days out with this book.

Wonderful though the photographs are, nothing beats being out there with nature. Go on it's Easter, put your wellies on and get out there......

......... which neatly brings me, now you are all out there doing it, to the Quicksilver Easter Bird Challenge. The rules are simple and this is just a bit of fun really, no prizes I'm afraid.

Details here

I'll do my best but will be travelling to the North East in an hour or so, so it will be interesting to see what I see as I drive around the UK. I'll post the results on the 19th April, so if you could get get your reports back to me by the 18th that'll be great. Unlike last time, please send them to my e-mail address, which is in my profile.

Which just leaves me to wish you all best of luck, wherever you are in the world reading this, a Happy Easter.

Birthday Dippers, you April Fool(s)

2009-04-02T06:53:00.006+01:00

I had the day off yesterday as it was my 45th Birthday. And who better to spend it with I say than the one person you love the most, so I went for a coast walk on my own...ha ha! Well no one else can cope with my jokes for more than a few hours.

Boscastle in Cornwall was my destination and what a fabulous day which kicked off with an all day breakfast in a hotel and being me a long chat with the hotel owner. So long in fact half the breakfast was cold by the time it was devoured. Comestibles polished off a walk along the coast was required. Just a couple of photos from that, hope you have a head for heights???

I spent a long time here as this cove was packed with Jackdaws, Herring Gulls and a smattering of Fulmars, though most of the latter are found further out on a sea stack apparently. And above them all for a very brief moment, a Raven. Great stuff watching Jackdaws pairing up and also nest building. My guess is that only half of the nesting they flew in with actually made it to the nest, they're a bit butterfingers, or should that be butterbeaks.

And of course at this time of the year, Jackdaws are doing what comes naturally, best move on swiftly I think.

Nearly forgot this very obliging male Chaffinch. He sat next to me while I was admiring the view. Well it was a lovely day, so why not sit on a rock and have a rest. Often overlooked these are really stunning birds if one looks at the plumage properly.

Anyway after walking for a couple of hours, (took bit longer than planned as I was being text'd all through the day, thank you again for my Birthday messages if you are reading this, you know who you are) my circular route brought me back into Boscastle, and a leather shop. Now before you say anything, this was a leather goods shop, not something dark and mysterious...... however something mysterious did happen in there.

I was perusing the worked hide, when the phone rang. Shop owner answered and a conversation between mates happened, it was mate's birthday and they were planning a night on the tiles. So after the conversation I said to the owner, he's not the only one with a birthday today. Well "butter me" said the owner "that's really weird, what's your name?" Andrew I said. "Well "butter me twice" (presumably with a marmalade side order), my mates called Andrew. So he rang his mate back and eventually, Owner, myself and the other Andrew had a three way gawd this is odd, must mean something in a cosmic sort of way, chat. I then bought a kidney shaped purse and left.

So after all this excitement I had to steady the nerves with a "traditional" Cornish Pasty, spicy vegetable. This polished off, I then ventured up the Valency Valley for yet another walk, to Minster Church (where I met a couple, who told me it was Mrs couple's birthday as well.... that's three April Fools in Boscastle. Must mean something!!).

The Valency Valley was devastated during the floods of 2004 and I'd not walked up it since, though had done so many times before. 5 years after the floods one can still see the scars and makes you realise how much water must have come down that August day. But birdlife here was good, Chiffchaffs singing everywhere, usual smattering of Titmice, a pair of Grey Wagtails nest building and then...........I heard before then locating, 2 Dippers!!.

These fabulous little birds are wonderful, and when I lived "up't" north saw them all the time. But I've never seen a single one in 16 years of living down south, mainly as they prefer fast flowing streams with lots of gravel and stones to flick over hunting a morsel or two. Not many of those on the somerset Levels. These two were "an item" as the Male was doing a bit of flirting and the odd little butterfly flight they do to say to his chosen one, come on darling, look at me.

Sadly couldn't get any closer for a better shot, but a record photo of a wonderful little bird which has been missing off my Year list for a long while now. No wonder they're the national bird of Norway, just very cute, entertaining and live in nice places of course. I couldn't have asked for a better Birthday present than this.

Flying back with the Swallows

2009-03-31T08:09:00.008+01:00

Sunday 29th March, I saw my first 2 Swallows of the year at Sand Bay. I was down there having the last of my holiday sunshine following my mini break in Jersey.

Thank you to all those of you who commented on my first flight and sent best wishes. I made it up, down and back, and after all these years being worried about flying, I loved it. Even if we were in a Prop-job in a force 6 gale going out, more like being on a roller coaster than a plane coming into land at Jersey Airport, but I have to say even that hasn't put me off...... watch out World, the boy is on the move.

So a quick photo-blog before work

My first ever plane, we made it down in Jersey so a memorial photo from Arrivals Hall

Himself at 17,000 feet, looking as cool as a cucumber !!

If you look closely there's a Turnstone on that rock.... just above the water.

There were Brent Geese everywhere on the southern coast.

The following photos are from Durrell Zoo, which Celebrated it's 50th Anniversary the day AFTER we were there!!

Very Endangered Blue Poison Dart Frogs

A smart fellah-me-lad, an Asian Fairy Bluebird

Alexandra posing for his next Compare the Meerkats.com advert

A couple of ladies we met for lunch..... leeks for starter

And lets not forget my favourite group of animals, the otters, this was a very obliging Asian Short-Clawed Otter, who came up and posed for the camera - showoff

And then the female came along and started juggling pebbles. I love otters, great fun.

And for those of you who know about Baxter, the well travelled bear, here he is being comforted by the Great Gerrald Durrell.

Back to the scenic stuff

Gorey Castle - this was my favourite part of the island

The boy doing a bit of Dolphin watching, sadly none were seen but a school of 100 Bottle Nosed are resident in these waters.

Rozel Bay - I fell in love with this tiny village, and could have moved there on the spot, it was beautiful, peaceful and the sea was an indescribable turquoise green.

An arty shot from Bonne Nuit bay...... more pink gravel that one can shake a stick at.

Bye bye Jersey, Corbiere Lighthouse off the headland..... I only need to do Alderney now and have all the Channel Islands on my tick list. We'd just taken off and I know I'll be back very soon........... watch out you dolphins, I'm coming to find you.

Jersey beckons and Easter bird race!!

2009-03-21T07:43:00.006Z

Just a brief posting to say I'll be back. Bit of a mini break to Jersey this coming week, if any of you are near Exeter Airport give me a wave....it's my first ever plane flight at 44 years and 356 days. I know, I know everyone flys these days but I haven't as it's always worried me. But why worry I say these days, so needing to overcome this fear I'm off, pity my friend who has taken up the challenge and will have to hold my hand. Does she know what she's taking on ha ha. But a trip to Durrell Zoo is on the plan so we're both looking forward to it. I'm sure there'll be a blog posting from the Zoo.

In fact this blogging malarkey is a funny old business. A couple of weeks ago I was contacted by Dorling Kingsley the publishers who asked if I'd review a soon to be published book and post a review on the Blog. I said yes, so when I'm back, I'll post the review. I've just received the book, and so far it looks great, but more about that soon.

And before I go and pop the Valium and creme d menthe to get me on the plane, a bit of forward notice. Over Christmas I ran a bit of a bird challenge, which seemed to go down well. Many of you mentioned could this be done again in warmer weather and Easter was mentioned. I'll mention this again, but a date for your Diaries - the QUICKSILVERBIRDS EASTER BIRD CHALLENGE is on.

Rules are simple. Log all the birds you've seen (other wildlife records welcome too but won't count for your score) between 00.01 hrs on Good Friday (April 10) and 23.59 hrs Easter Monday (April 13). Send me your score and I'll publish on the blog for all to see.

Thought I'd have three categories this time;

Overall Supreme Champion x 2

Overall most bird species seen in the UK over the 4 days, with a sub category for species seen in the Rest of the World, as I know many of you read this from abroad.

Non Birding Award

Most birds seen while travelling about, out for walks, cycling, out with families and so on, basically how much can be logged while not actually birding. After all it's Easter and we'll be eating eggs.

Beginners Award

Open to anyone who doesn't normally go bird watching but wants to - go on give it a go, even if you just see 1 species, it's a start so don't be shy.

I'll post more when I'm back but hope you are all up for a bit of fun and an excuse to get out there. There are no prizes (yet) it's the taking part that's the challenge..... now where's my bucket and spade !!

Birds, Bees, Butterflies and every Corvid

2009-03-16T06:13:00.008Z

Many bloggers have posted great stuff about the arrival of spring this weekend. At last it felt like we were getting rid of this long winter. Which explains of course why my head this morning looks like a ripe tomato..... I'll never learn, wear a hat in the spring sunshine.

What this glorious weather did do of course is bring out the wildlife en masse. I think it is the arrival of insects in the countryside which really starts to move the year on. Certainly there were a lot of Queen bumblers droning about yesterday. I also spied 3 different species of butterfly, 3 Brimstones, half a dozen Small Tortoiseshell and at one point one of these was next to a newly emerged from hibernation Peacock. Would have made a fabulous photograph if they hadn't flown off just as I got the camera ready.

There was also a lovely bit of behaviour with one of the Brimstones as a House Sparrow tried to catch it on the wing, watched this for a while until the Brimstone left uneaten to live another day.

Yesterday was glorious so a friend and I went on a nature ramble in Dorset. I'll not say exactly where as this involves a Badger site not far from houses. Save to say it was a "reet canny walk".......... off we go then!!

The walk began in a wide footpath with overgrown hedges. These were alive with birds doing what birds do in the spring, the lads showing off to the girls. Greenfinch, Blue Tit, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Great Tit and Robin were everywhere. As were one of my favourite birds the classic Little Brown Job, the Dunnock. Normally fairly secretive, they do sing from perches as this one was. In the same bush were 2 others having a bit of a flirtatious time with their constant wing flicking, which is why some older people call this a Shufflewing.

Walking through the village to the woods, many chimney pots had Jackdaws nest building. I watched this pair for ages, as they were collecting nesting materiel from the roof. Lovely bit of pair bonding going on while the male passed items to the female. In the distance is a Rookery and this is where I was heading

But en route spotted this very common moss, Bryum capillare on a wall

Into the Rookery by the church the noise was deafening. Also the Rooks were not that good at nest building; or as my companion said, they're dropping more than they're using. We watched these for about 10 minutes and isn't it just amazing how entertaining the Crow family are. I love crows and just feel uplifted watching their squabbling and messing about, especially this time of the year. I wonder if they minded me photographing their bottoms?

This part of the walk took us past an ancient stone wall, absolutely covered in plants. I think I'll do another posting one day about the value of stone walls for wildlife, but for the moment a photo of Navelwort, named after the dimple in the centre of each leaf. This one was producing it's strange flower spike. Like all members of the sedum family these fleshy leaves store water and help it survive periods of drought, which is why it's often found on old stone walls growing in very little soil.

Speaking of water, this area has a spring fed water trough, so an arty shot of cold, spring derived water on a warm spring day.

Just around the corner from this we were greeted with a carpet of yellow Lesser Celendines in flower. It just lifts the spirits seeing this blast of colour.

But eventually we got into an ancient woodland. Quite an interesting place really, as although classic mixed deciduous Ash and Hazel woodland, at some point it must have been enclosed as there are old stone walls running through it, quite a bit of Laurel at one end and now seems to be used by mountain bikers. Which was interesting, the path snaking through the wood was wide and full of jumps, but off the path the woodland was pretty much as it should be.

Quite a bit of it seems to be coppiced and this gave a wonderful mix of lower and upper story habitats, but open for ground loving plants, such as these Violets, which were present in both blue and white form, or the Dogs-Mercury below.

Bluebells were starting to come through, Aliums, and a whole host of other plants, emerging into the spring sunshine, such as these Wood Anemonies, not quite in flower, but just as beautiful in the green.

The woods were absolutely alive with birds, usual Great and Blue Tits everywhere, but a Great Spotted Woodpecker was calling, as were a pair of Jay's with their harsh call, though I never managed to get a good look at them. Which made me realise we'd now seen nearly every member of the Crow family on this walk, except Raven, Hooded Crow and Chough, and the latter two I'd not see in Dorset anyway...... more about this at the bottom of this posting.

I tried to get a decent photo of this Nuthatch, one of 2 on this tree, but it was a bit far away really. Oh well a record shot I suppose. They were calling continuously. One bird I didn't see was a Treecreeper which was slightly surprising, but we can't win them all.

I did however find a huge Badger Sett, with this entrance being very freshly dug out, or at least having a spring clean, so I know it's active and why I'm not saying where this walk was given the woods are also used by mountain bikers. Can't really see this in the photo but a lot of green vegetation was mixed into the spoil. It was while looking around the Badger domicile I spotted what I'm pretty certain is a common Carder-Bee, Bombus pascuorum. I should know this but there was something about it which made me think it wasn't.

We'd been out 2 hours now, so time to walk back home, which brought us back into the glorious sunshine, and past a lot of Mistletoe on fruit trees in a farm.

Finally back home we were relaxing with a cuppa in the garden, more Small Tortoiseshells there, when Baxter (who acts as tour guide on all our walks) heard a commotion overhead. Before even looking up, I knew what was going on as that deep Cronk Cronk was heard. 3 or 4 Carrion crow were hassling a Raven as it flew over the house. Quite a few Raven up on the ridges only a few miles as the crow flies from where I was. Brilliant, I couldn't recall seeing a Magpie today, but they're everywhere and often don't register, but that Raven meant that every Corvid possible in Dorset was seen in 3 hours, and a confirmed Magpie in the garden not long afterwards. Fantastic.

Certainly Baxter was very happy with his walk and spent the rest of the day relaxing in the garden. Well he only has little legs. There will be more from him later in the year, as he has his own blog now.

Into the Lions Den

2009-03-10T20:40:00.006Z

Today I accepted an invitation to attend an Avon Wildlife Trust Staff Forum. These happen every 2 months and as a recently elected Trustee of the Avon Wildlife Trust I was asked to attend, meet the staff and have a spot of lunch. More of this in a moment, but to begin this posting, a quick look back at Sunday.

On Sunday afternoon after a day doing household things, the weather being fine, I decided to go for a walk to the Village and back. Not far, just 2 miles. Leaving the house in glorious sunshine I was about half way when a hailstorm blew in, literally with no shelter near by. There was nothing else for it but to do the old farming manoeuvre; stand back to the wind, collar up and just let it pass over. This was a humdinger of a squall, horizontal hail is quite formidable. At one point I watched a Herring Gull flapping madly but still being pushed backwards. Above was the view as I rode out the storm, quite exhilarating, absolutely freezing, but a good buffeting by weather clarifies one's thoughts. 5 minutes later, sun was out and the birds could all fly in a forward direction again as I walked along the aptly named lane.

Back to the AWT Forum meeting. I have to admit I went to this meeting slightly in the dark. The brief seemed to be, come and meet the staff, and then if you could let us quickly know who you are, what you've done and what you wish to achieve as a Trustee. "Simples", as Alexandre of Compare the Meerkat.com would say.

I arrived to find out I was agenda item 3, Trustee Slot. In front of me were about 35 member of the Trust staff and volunteers. Items 1 and 2 of the agenda seemed to pass by at the speed of a nano-crotchet, my mouth took on the aspect of dry sand paper, and I'm sure I turned a fetching red. All too soon, Item 3 arrived. Foolishly I offered to stand up, so everyone could see me. So with my back to the wall and a semi circle of eyes on me, I began, "thank you for inviting me to the Forum, like in Roman times I feel I am now in the Lion's Den, ha ha ".... phew, a potential tumbleweed moment was replaced with polite laughter.

Golden rule in speaking to an unknown audience, get them to laugh before you say anything stupid. Then everything else which follows can be just laughed at as well. Apparently I waffled on for 20 minutes, which seemed like 30 seconds. This included a Q&A session with some pretty searching questions I can tell you. I think I managed to get away with it without too many gaffs, and managed to enjoy the rest of the meeting. Lunch was most welcome.

As I'd taken a day off from work, in the afternoon to relax after the meeting, I popped down to my local patch Sand Bay. The afternoon sunshine was brilliant, so a nice 3 mile walk would restore my nerves.

As ever when I go to sand Bay at the spur of the moment the tide is out, somewhere near Cardiff, and so any birdlife is limited. Usual suspects here, Shelduck, Curlew, Black Headed Gull and Oystercatcher. Plus the ever present Carrion Crow, rummaging through the debris along the strand line.

And so I'll leave you with a couple of scenic views across the Bristol Channel towards Steep Holme island. Time for a G&T I think, hiccup!

Wanderlust

2009-03-07T08:48:00.009Z

Is it the arrival of spring, sap rising and that malarkey?
Is it because many friends are having career breaks and travelling?
Is it because I'm 45 in 3 weeks?
or is it because I'm sorting out some photographs?

Apologies up front, this posting isn't about wildlife, Wessex or anything other than me rambling on...... today's theme is why do we want to travel?

Take the picture of this eejit in an overly bright shirt, sun glinting off his head. Why is he standing on a cliff and spoiling the view. I love the UK and all it has to offer, but now and again my mind becomes focused on getting away from it all. By the way, this was taken in 2000 en route to the Dolomites, in the good old days before digital cameras. What did we all do before digital cameras?.... I know, because I have about 3000 photos in drawers, unlabeled and some I don't even known where they were taken.

Back to the eejit. I'd met an Italian lady (married before you begin throwing nasturtiums) through work on the Internet. We conversed via e-mail and she asked me to come and see her and her husband; so following a crash 1-2-1 course in Italiano ( ahhahh Claudia, where are you now??) in June 2000 off I went to Lake Garda, met with and got on splendidly with said friend and her family, and have visited them again. I also met another woman on the trip who hailed from Dorset, and the rest is history. People often said, how did you and Thelma meet, and I say by a Lake in Italy while visiting another woman, which often throws them.

As it turned out like many journeys, it was fabulous, I absolutely fell in love with Italy, especially the Dolomites. I remember standing somewhere by a cable car station and all I could see were snow covered mountains all the way to Austria. It was like being on top of the World, literally.

So what makes us travel. Is it an adventure? Is it for rest and relaxation? Is it to visit new places? Meet new people? Well actually probably it's all of these things, but I wonder what it is that actually says in our brain. Today I'm going to leave the comfort, warmth and security of the family home and visit that place I've never been to before, arrive hot and flustered, not be able to speak the language, and have a wonderful time.

For me it's the actual travelling I love, which is one of the reasons I've never flown (until later this month, off to Jersey). Finally getting there is good, but actually the process of getting there is better. I'm a huge fan of long distance driving, despite this being seen as environmentally unsound, the open road and no deadlines is a real boon to me.

In 1999 I was asked by friends who were holidaying in Gairloch, in November, if I'd like to visit. I live 20 miles south of Bristol and only had a long weekend available. I drove there and back in 3 days, just shy of 1400 miles and it was the best one night in a cottage stay I've ever had. Great journey the length of the UK, great and sociable friends and just stunning scenery along the way. Totally mad, but absolutely fulfilling. I have a quote on my mobile phone, "what is a destination without a journey" I can't remember where I found this now, but for me it makes sense.

These feelings of wanting to travel must be strong in all of us. Maybe it's basic instinct of the Hunter Gatherer in all of us which lies dormant for a while, then when the sun is high, the wind from the sea, we don our backpack and can not resist an adventure out into the unknown. I also know for me, although I'm very sociable, I'm basically a private person who loves to be alone. Travelling to a crowded beach won't appeal to me, but standing on a mountain, the only person for 1000 miles does.

February has been a strange month as I'm getting itchy feet, which is unlike me, either that or the old medical condition has returned. I could have been in Tenerife this last fortnight, for reasons best left unanswered I wasn't. A lot of friends are taking time off from work now and travelling the World (mind you most seem to be in New Zealand - must be the most crowded Island in the World).

I've also been chatting to my second cousin, half removed, twice round the block in Canada (Hi Judy, I know you read this) about visiting my errant family there, and hopefully in August her daughter and a friend will be visiting the old country (Andrew has been told to be a Father figure to them....!) and this week I've been researching Norway.

In particular as my ancestors are Norwegian I'd like to visit Skein near Oslo but while I've been doing some research, the Atlantic Road north of Bergen intrigued me. (image above from visit-norway website) I can feel a road trip coming on.... apparently if one travels it in an Atlantic storm in the Autumn, it is quite exhilarating as the car is swept off the road. Where do I sign?....... and of course north of there lies the Arctic Circle. Watching Joanna Lumley visit the Northern Lights on TV last year was just glorious.

2010 is going to be, 3 months off work and answer the call of the Vikings, well one of my ancestors was called Thor.

Nature's Alarm Clock

2009-03-04T06:27:00.006Z

I can't sleep. It's nothing to do with work, broken friendships, the news or what shall I have for breakfast. None of these keep me awake at the moment. I'm out like a light these days and sleep like a baby. Until about 5.30am that is.

At around 5.30, this chap is up and at it on my neighbours roof, the apex of which is directly opposite my landing window, and only about 15 feet from the bedroom.. Off he goes and continues for about 2 to 3 hours without let up, unless another male Blackbird hovers into view. At that point the singing stops, a bit of chase this blighter off takes place, then back to his perch to resume his happy song.

I love blackbird song, and even if every day he wakes me up earlier than I need to get up, it's a glorious start to the day. The 30 second video below was made on Sunday. Video quality is awful as it was still dark, but it's the song I wanted to record.

Time for breakfast now and a read of some papers in preparation for a Trustee meeting on Thursday.

Digiscoping at Slimbridge (on a dull day)

2009-03-01T07:52:00.012Z

Yesterday saw your anti-hero and blogmeister heading off to Slimbridge. During the week while chatting to a mate we thought it was well overdue to have a digi-photo day. And so this weekend was chosen for an outing. I'm still not sure about digi-scoping, mainly as I'm absolutely hopeless at it; but as Rob had been on a digi-scoping course a while back, a joint venture of incompetence could keep us, and everyone else at Slimbridge, entertained for a day. I can hear it now, Mummy, what are those strange men up to? Daddy, I've never heard that word before, what does it mean?

Ideally for digi-scoping one would have blue skies, wall to wall sunshine and subjects which don't move about much. February 28th dawned dull and cold. I also felt rougher than rough after being out the evening before for a fish and chips birthday party, meaning bed was only reached at 1am. Up again at 6am, a pressing need for a "Big Breakfast" at Sainsburys on the way there seemed to help with the hangover and general feeling of sluggishness, but I wasn't sure!!

Finally we made it to Slimbridge, with still no prospect of any sunshine. First stop the heated hide next to the Centre. Simple we thought, quickly unpack the kit, check it's working and hey presto, award winning photos will follow. I'm not sure whether it was the breakfast, the hangover, the warm heat in this centrally heated hide, or my innate incompetence with anything technical but it seemed to take about an hour to get the scopes set up. Blood was spilt, words were said, tempers frayed to the point of snapping, so I gave up using the scope for a while and just photographed these Bewicks just using the camera.

Back to the digi-scoping, and eventually a half decent image of a Bewick head and water. But I still can't get the focusing spot on. I think it's the problem of not having a remote camera release, that movement of the shutter button is enough at 20, 30 40 times magnification to blurr the image just enough to make me think, why am I doing this!!

But feint heart never won a goldfish at the fair, so we pushed on and outside into the cold.

Flamingoes are weird. If I was the creator of wildlife, I'd have obviously thought these birds need to feed at ground level, so I'll create a gangly bird with very long legs, an even longer long neck, thus it needs to spend all day bent double to feed, possibly with a spot of sciatica for good measure. Oh and for a final twist of insanity, I'm going to colour them pink. WHY!!!!

But then again...... they are photogenic and gloriously colourful. Hey I'm beginning to get the hang of this digi-scoping malarkey, this one is almost in focus. Thank you photo-shop.

I was getting carried away now. Success with one photograph had gone to my head. At the next hide I spotted a Buzzard at 3 miles away and wanted to take it's photo. Rob said try max optical zoom on your camera and full zoom on the scope (I'm sure he had a wry smile on his face). So work out the maths, 7x optical on camera and 48x on scope... Magnification therefore something like x336. The resulting strobing effect was stunning with even the slightest movement by a passing gnat, producing so much camera shake I was getting a migraine. I'm sure at one point I saw Rob bent double facing towards a corner of the hide with his shoulders moving rapidly, probably has a cough or something.

But hey!! Look at this. By wedging the scope between myself and a window, and taking 40 photos, I managed to get 1 photo which wasn't blurred. Nice vignetting too, and that black spot is a bit of dust which has got into the lens and bugging me, but I got there. I don't think any top wildlife photographers have anything to worry about though.

I was on a roll, nothing was safe from the prying lens of the Boy. A sleeping Pochard, no problem madam, bung it through Photo Shop and hey presto.....

A Herring Gull, idly resting on a fence post half a mile away didn't escape the shutter

And this Jackdaw on a bird feeder, suffered from my voyeurism. Hang on I thought bird feeders were for smaller birds, what's this Jackdaw doing on this? Well basically it's because corvids are wonderfully intelligent birds able to adapt to anything; and that's what makes them fabulous.

And male Pintails are just wonderful. Those tails could be used as kebab skewers.

Which reminded both of us we needed some food. A bowl of carrot and ginger soup in the Centre and we were back out. At lunch we both said, oh lets just go birding bit fed up with this digi-scoping now. En-route to the Zeiss hide, Rob met a birder he knows. "Are you off to see the American Wigeon" he said. Both having fingers very much on the pulse, we had no idea an transatlantic Wigeon was in the area. Apparently it was with a flock of Wigeon outside the Zeiss hide

We hot footed it there (after looking at an American Wigeon in the collection... coz neither of us knew what one looked like - basically a normal Wigeon with alopecia) and arrived to be told by a guy leaving the hide, it's over there amongst those Wigeon. Oh great, don't need to look for it. I looked through the bins, and there it was. Well I think it was as just as I found it, the whole flock took off like the clappers (it's somewhere in this flock flying about in the sky above), flew about for a couple of minutes and then disappeared. Rob never saw it.

But we had better luck with the White Fronted-Geese.

By now I was beginning to flag. But we had one last push to the new Kingfisher Hide. We both said it looked like a "Shire House" and suggestion was made if I stood in the doorway I could play the hobbit role for a photo. I'm glad they have a plaster kingfisher on the wall, it's the only one we saw.

So time to pack up and head home with a final photo of this Jackdaw, taken in very poor light. At the end of the day I'm still perched on the fence of digi-scoping carry on. It does bring in a different dimension to birdwatching, but it's a right faff, for results which are okay but will never be as good as an SLR attached to a whacking great telephoto lens....... mmmm, now where's the Jessops website?

The day ended with a splendidly convivial evening spent at the home of Mate and Mrs Mate, where I suppered on an astonishing combination of foods Heston Blumenthal would have been proud of. I think this is probably because they've just come back from India and picked up some foreign cooking tips. It's the only conclusion I can come to. Mango sorbet with Medlar and Apple spiced chutney anyone? But we did have a laugh. A great end to the day.

A slice of Country Life

2009-02-25T07:14:00.008Z

I can't believe it's 4 days since I took these photographs and I have to ask myself, what has happened to those 4 days? It always seems to get like this as spring sprungs its springing. All of a sudden life becomes hectic again.

So, before it's too long after this set of photos were taken, a quick photo blog to outline a grand old day out in the glorious Dorset countryside. I'll start with this photo below. Fellow Dorset Blogger Snowgoosey, highlighted this house in May 2008. So this weekend while recovering from my £44k Indian meal, my current weekend companion and self discussed what to do on Saturday. The result was my first ever trip to Swanage, principally to find this house by the Station.

What a fabulous idea. Apparently the owners were denied putting a window into the gable end, so had one painted instead. Genius. It's the quirks of British life like this which I love, so the rest of this blog is just that, a celebration of what makes Britain Great. We're all too eager to knock this country, but I love it. Don't get me wrong, there are other countries which have bigger scenery, different culture, warmer weather, less traffic and so on, but pound for pound (not Kilo for Kilo) lets not forget this great old country punches well above it's weight and is still absolutely fabulous. Rant over. I hope you enjoy the photo's; my celebration of a wonderful day.

I'll start with a bit of wildlife, a Black Headed Gull in fine spring plumage enjoying the warmth of a sunny day in Swanage.

Mind you with a view like this, would I wish to be anywhere else ?

So after a sit in the sun, which was glorious to feel the warmth after this long winter, an ice cream and watching the world go by, I coerced my companion into a steam train ride to Corfe Castle. A bit of a festival was going on for Half Term. What is it about steam trains? They're just alive.

And of course these trains bring out the hibernating train spotters. They look like they're having a grand old time too waiting for the 3.30 from Corfe. The person on the right especially looks like they're about to break into an energetic song and dance routine at any minute!! Sadly we were heading the other way so I never got to see what happened next.

Towards Corfe Castle, which should really be Corfe Castle ruin, having been knocked about a bit by Cromwell and his advancing Roundheads. Images like this always remind me of my grandfather, he used to say to me as a child on his knee.... "mice" meaning mice had destroyed the building. A wonderfully eccentric man.

At Norton Halt a photo opportunity as the train "Marston" was uncoupled and moved to the back of the train to take us back to Swanage.

Norton had a few other delights, such as this modern take on the garden gnome theme in the station garden. Does any other country have this much eccentricity in it's blood? Click on the image to see who's there.

And at the opposite end of the station garden a very impressive array of bird feeders. Excellent, or would have been if there'd been any birds there.

So back to Swanage and a thought on such a glorious evening, head home via Kimmeridge Bay. Oh boy was I glad we did, the weather was perfik, and the advancing sunset over Portland was stunning. I could post the 86 sunset photos I took, but I'll spare you so much beauty, and just post a selectionette.

This is Clavell's Tower, which has just moved 100 feet to the left. It was in danger of falling into the sea, so the Landmark Trust who own and rent out this tower, moved it brick by brick inland. A fabulous job. I was chatting to a rather splendid gentleman in flowing dark coat, wild grey hair, deep Donald Sindoneske voice and vivid tartan trousers who happened to be staying in the tower. Living room is at the top, bedrooms at the bottom and a wet room in the basement. Methinks a stay here is on the cards, because from the tower is this view.......

How's that for an evening view while warming the slippers and Badger ale against the woodburning stove. Mind you, one can't park the car near this, so a 80 step sheer cliff walk is needed to get there. As the vivid tartan clad chap said, been he'd been here for a week and still needs to stop 3 times en route from the car to the front door, "I just pretend I'm watching the view if anyone asks" he said. Good man.

And so as the sun finally set behind Portland. And with the sound of Oystercatchers whistling across the shore providing an atmospheric backdrop to the scene, I'll leave you with an arty bird photo of one of the Oysties as it avoided the tide.

Well anyone can take a good photo..... it takes skill to be this bad !!

The Morning after a £44,565 Indian meal

2009-02-21T09:03:00.007Z

I had the day off yesterday. And although the sun didn't break through until mid afternoon it was pleasant enough in the countryside. With this warmer weather spring is definitely knocking on the door. Great Tits are in full song now, catkins bursting through, even early daffodils. In a garden centre my first Honey Bee (Spp not id'd) on a Hellebore, oh and I forgot to say with last weeks posting, Buff-Tailed Bumblebee at Topsham

Driving about doing a few chores, I noticed a fair few Buzzard circling on the warm up-thermals, 3 together in one instance. Another Buzzard was being mobbed by no less than 11 Magpie as it perched in a tree. Eventually they drove it off and it was quite comical to see the slow laborious flap flap of the Buzzard as the chattering Magpies, flapped about trying to get it to fly further away.

And by now you're probably wondering why this posting has that title. Well last night I took a lady friend to the India Cottage in Henstridge (for those of you with an interest in literature, this was the inspiration for the "Restaurant at the end of the Universe" in Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy). Anyway At the end of the meal, paying by card, that astonishing total came up! A few light headed swirling moments later, sanity was returned and I paid the £44.56.

However such things fail to keep the boy from his sleep, but the now rapidly developing Dawn Chorus did wake me from my slumbers. So here is a short clip from 5.45 this morning from the front door of my weekend digs. Glorious. Took me back to my childhood, anyone remember those 1970's Sanyo tape recorders? I used to spend hours in the fields trying to record sound with the little external microphone and a foil flan dish for a parabolic reflector. Great days, I wonder where those are tapes now?? Not to mention that slim boyish figure!!