Springing Into Life
01/03/12 14:37 Filed in: Sightings
A late morning walk on a beautifully warm sunny day showed many signs of spring being just around the corner. Two lovely Brimstone butterflies were flying around the south-facing slopes of the Rifle Range, and quite a few Celandine already in flower, as were some primroses around the pond.
The first Common Lizards of the year were sunning themselves making the best of the warmth.
I can’t remember the Upper Pond being at such a low level at this time of year before. A sure sign of the lack of rainfall this winter.
Lots of birds about including Jay, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Long-tailed Tits, Buzzard overhead, Mallard, Coot.
Also, near Mouse Lane, a pair of seemingly amorous Tortoiseshell Butterflies.
PV
The first Common Lizards of the year were sunning themselves making the best of the warmth.
I can’t remember the Upper Pond being at such a low level at this time of year before. A sure sign of the lack of rainfall this winter.
Lots of birds about including Jay, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Long-tailed Tits, Buzzard overhead, Mallard, Coot.
Also, near Mouse Lane, a pair of seemingly amorous Tortoiseshell Butterflies.
PV
Random Events
15/11/11 11:37 Filed in: Sightings
Being in the right place at the right time is one of the wonderful things about observing wildlife. No matter how much research & planning you do, nature will always spring a surprise on you. This morning I was at the Upper Pond making some plans for our upcoming felling operations and spent some time there wandering around. I was standing by the dam, just about to leave when there was a terrific flapping in one of the overhanging trees. Down comes a bundle of feathers which turned out to be a Sparrowhawk chasing a Pigeon. The Pigeon managed to escape into some undergrowth just above the waterline & the Sparrowhawk sat on a branch just above, giving me great views. After a couple of minutes the obviously injured Pigeon made an escape attempt but was pounced on by the raptor who proceeded to grab it in its talons, get on top of it, and sit there, wings outstretched, calmly drowning it!
After a while, when it’s prey was dead, it attempted several times to extract the Pigeon from the water, but it was just too heavy so it just gave up and flew off leaving the bird floating in the pond. Incredible!
Poor Pigeon for enduring a dreadful death, or poor Sparrowhawk for having expended so much time & effort and failing to get a meal? Probably both….
PV
After a while, when it’s prey was dead, it attempted several times to extract the Pigeon from the water, but it was just too heavy so it just gave up and flew off leaving the bird floating in the pond. Incredible!
Poor Pigeon for enduring a dreadful death, or poor Sparrowhawk for having expended so much time & effort and failing to get a meal? Probably both….
PV