Observations Of Nature Through The Seasons.

[knocker]

I thought a couple of swans this morning were about to go into their mating ritual which is fascinating to watch. As it turned out I think it was just some courting lovey dovey not helped by 'no show without punch'!

[knocker]

I notice I had another senior moment and posted the same image twice. Meant to post this

"now what's he up to?"

 

[gottolovethisweather]

On 13/04/2017 at 12:00, knocker said:

 

 

 

Ant'astic.

Edited April 23, 2017 by gottolovethisweather

[ciel]

This little brown bird caught my attention this morning, a Corn Bunting - I think - or maybe a female Reed Bunting?

   

Wagtail pair are setting up home in the Barn or thereabouts.

Eyes up now for the return of the Barn Swallows.  They should be back, all being well, by the end of the week.

Edit: Finally decided the bird in the daffs is a female Reed Bunting

 

Edited April 17, 2017 by ciel

[knocker]

I see what you mean ciel. The distinct marking on the face.

I had one of those 'close but no cigar mornings'. A Nuthatch got quite bold and came up to me on the bench which is a little unusual but trying not to frighten it I could have done with a sharper focus and a bit more light on the face, not that I could much about the latter. Not dissimilar with the GT 'a study of concentration'.

EDIT

And I'm wondering whether I may have found the Nuthatch nest. It's in the right area

 

Edited April 17, 2017 by knocker

[ciel]

27 minutes ago, knocker said:

I see what you mean ciel. The distinct marking on the face

Yes, and the white outer tail feathers, more obvious in this shot. Corn Bs have plain brown tails.

 

 

29 minutes ago, knocker said:

And I'm wondering whether I may have found the Nuthatch nest. It's in the right area

 

Could well be, knocker.

[knocker]

A complete pain in the neck

[ciel]

20 minutes ago, knocker said:

A complete pain in the neck

Yes, they are noisy blighters  though can be amusing to watch.

[ciel]

See who turned up this evening, a bit ragged, but a day earlier than last year. 

[knocker]

20 minutes ago, ciel said:

See who turned up this evening, a bit ragged, but a day earlier than last year. 

Whoopee!

[knocker]

On Thin Ice: Disappearing Zooplankton Could Collapse Arctic Food Chain

As the Arctic Ocean’s spring sea-ice cover shrinks, microscopic zooplankton are declining with serious ramifications for the region’s food chain, from fish to seals to polar bears.

https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/03/29/on-thin-ice-disappearing-zooplankton-could-collapse-arctic-food-chain

[Polar Maritime]

The Lambs are enjoying the dry weather.

Edited April 19, 2017 by Polar Maritime

[knocker]

Been ducking

[knocker]

Mr. shifty

[ciel]

Some moorland birds at their nest sites, yesterday.

    

 

there were 30+ birds in this flock

Back home, Jackdaws have decided home is a (fortunately disused) chimney pot.

[Weather-history]

 

[knocker]

Ducklings

On the way with a snack

Edited April 23, 2017 by knocker

[ciel]

Evensong

[knocker]

Just attempting some clearing out and I came across this photo of Charlie the Cormorant who stayed with us for a couple of months in 2015. i don't remember this photo

Edited April 25, 2017 by knocker

[4wd]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-39703948

There will have been many casualties from this wintry snap.

[knocker]

hopefully today will be the last of any serious snow and temps should start to rise tomorrow albeit still not brilliant

[ciel]

4 hours ago, 4wd said:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-39703948

There will have been many casualties from this wintry snap.

I'm sure EJ and eggs will survive, hopefully anyway.

[Weather-history]

 

[knocker]

Ho, Ho - kids alert!

[knocker]

Tranquility