Observations Of Nature Through The Seasons.

[knocker]

Sun glinting on some visitors in the clear air behind the cold front early this morning

[knocker]

More 'close but no cigar' moments this morning

[Snipper]

Just seen what I can only describe as a Stoat rush across my garden. Not trying to be too flip but it seems to be stoatally different to a Weasle. Been here 45 years next month and never seen one before. 

[ciel]

I’ve been meaning to take a pic, of this field, about a 1/2 mile from me, for a couple of weeks now. It is, or was, a daffodil field but now invaded by Himalayan Balsam, and I have watched this spread of this weed over a few years.

Interestingly, the neighbouring landowner has taken steps to prevent it spreading into neighbouring land.

 

Edited August 23, 2018 by ciel

[ciel]

This came to my attention on R4 this morning and I intend to participate.

http://www.bigwaspsurvey.org

I posted a pic recently of a wasp’s nest in the garden and commented that I was unsure whether or not to destroy it. I decided against that course of action but it has since been abandoned for some unknown reason. Perhaps it was damaged by the early August storm. 

 

There appears to be quite a lot of wasp activity in a nearby beech tree, however.

[Snipper]

On 23/08/2018 at 21:06, ciel said:

I’ve been meaning to take a pic, of this field, about a 1/2 mile from me, for a couple of weeks now. It is, or was, a daffodil field but now invaded by Himalayan Balsam, and I have watched this spread of this weed over a few years.

Interestingly, the neighbouring landowner has taken steps to prevent it spreading into neighbouring land.

 

Himalayan Baslam. A blooming nuisance. 

As a NT volunteer spent more time than I would have liked pulling the stuff out of water courses. 

[ciel]

3 minutes ago, Snipper said:

Himalayan Baslam. A blooming nuisance. 

As a NT volunteer spent more time than I would have liked pulling the stuff out of water courses. 

Yes, up here too there have been local promotions asking for volunteers to tackle this invasive species - but that field I snapped is beyond belief and responsibility.

[ciel]

Spent a while at SWT Balgavies this afternoon hoping to get a decent capture of the Osprey family before they leave. 

A pic from earlier today, at home, of a couple of Swallow stragglers.

I have to comment that at Balgavies, I did not clock a single Swallow or Martin this afternoon.

Edited August 25, 2018 by ciel

[knocker]

Lunch

[knocker]

Dawn reflections

[knocker]

Just about to take off this morning

Edited September 1, 2018 by knocker

[knocker]

A stranger in the ranks this morning. The Terrapin and the Moorhen

[knocker]

Sunbeam

 

[knocker]

The elusive wee fella

[mushymanrob]

its certainly turning autumnal now, the leaves on many trees i observed this morning around derby are starting to turn... lime in particular are getting that yellowing off appearence. ash too are starting to show early signs. i do think the meteorological definition of the seasons is more accurate in nature then the astronomical one.

[jtay]

Hanging around in the garden on Sunday afternoon.

[ciel]

Autumn migration is well underway.

Not sure what these are, Dunlin or Knot? – note to self to swot up on wader identification.

Two small skeins of Pink-foot geese overhead at Montrose this evening.

 

[Allseasons-Si]

I went to Cornwall last week and spotted these little chappies having fun and what a sight it was

you looking at me!

playing around

lazying about.

and this cheeky bunny just outside of the caravan one morning(two foot away)

[ciel]

A lack of regard to current issues?

https://news.sky.com/story/conservationists-warn-uk-faces-ecological-apocalypse-as-native-species-go-extinct-11504731

[knocker]

Great to see all these seals at Godrevy

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=562225810880365&set=gm.2054647574615086&type=3&theater&ifg=1

Edited October 16, 2018 by knocker

[knocker]

Peekaboo in the Willow in the Autumn sunlight this morning

[ciel]

"Wild Cat" kittens filmed by hillwalker in the Cairngorms

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-45939211

[Snipper]

Am I the only one who finds their local birds are fussy feeders? Tend to use a no mess bird food mix. Seems to produce quite a lot of mess. Might be to some degree there is plenty of other natural stuff out there. Our garden backs onto farmland (set aside). 

Bluetits only seem to like peanuts. Even better if they are whole.  Don’t use whole nuts when they might be feeding young. Mealworms very slow to go.  Think the local mouse and rat population eats anything landing on the ground.

Not interested in encouraging wood pigeons. The reverse in fact. 

Grey squirrels are an interesting challenge. 

Edited November 1, 2018 by Snipper

[knocker]

Yellow Wagtail down at the lake this morning. Quite a few around, but often skulking in the dark places as here.

Edited November 1, 2018 by knocker

[knocker]

4 hours ago, knocker said:

Yellow Wagtail down at the lake this morning. Quite a few around, but often skulking in the dark places as here.

It is actually a Grey Wagtail