Observations Of Nature Through The Seasons.

[knocker]

This mornings stroll. Much gnashing as nearly got a photo of a Blue Dragonfly. Identification of the bird would be welcome.

 

[Methuselah]

Plenty of butterflies around, now; but 'Dave' the dragonfly must have passed on...What 'blue dragonfly' Malcolm - all I could see was a bluebottle??

[knocker]

I found out what the bird above is. A young Moorhen starting to get it's proper plumage.

 

[knocker]

A few butterflies around this morning and plenty of damsel flies. A Comma and a damsel

 

[knocker]

Around the local lake this morning on another fine day with some very interesting Ci and Ac Cas although that might well be high Cu. Anyway the usual abundance of the ubiquitous Robin. Some of the earlier brood of Mallards seemed to have survived quite well with ten still with us and they should be okay now. Quite good this year, A later brood still has two going (photo) and they may well survive as well. Not one butterfly, then it isn't a haven for them. A few dragon flies and plenty of Hovers.

Edited August 2, 2015 by knocker

[Polar Maritime]

Took this while out with the mutt just, Most of the Thistles are going to seed now.

[knocker]

Enjoying the sun at Falmouth yesterday. Just as well not quite the same today

[knocker]

Morning sun on the lake. Yesterday of course.

 

[knocker]

There was a lone Cormorant down at the local lake this morning which is quite unusual. Although having said that there was one a few weeks ago which actually could be the same one as it seems to use the same branch. Nearly got a good shot with the sun shining through the wings but that automatically put the face in shadow. Ended up reflecting.

Edited August 28, 2015 by knocker

[Polar Maritime]

Saw a big Dragonfly this afternoon in one of the outbuildings, Must of been 4inch long.

[keithlucky]

Normally they stay in West Wales but to see them was amazing in Port Talbot

[Polar Maritime]

Just seen this colourful number munching on my Runners, No idea what sort it is..

[jethro]

It's a vapourer moth caterpillar.

[Polar Maritime]

Thanks for that, A very nice looking thing. The Moths a little odd.

http://abugblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/the-weird-and-wonderful-vapourer-moth.html?m=1

Edited August 30, 2015 by Polar Maritime

[knocker]

Down at the lake yesterday and the lone Cormorant was still there and had been joined by an Egret (I think). Never seen one there before which doesn't mean they are not irregular visitors of course.

 

Watched 'The Giant Otters of the Amazon' last night. Fascinating doc. with an incredible sequence when they killed a Cayman. Funny how one doesn't have sympathy for the latter.

Edited September 7, 2015 by knocker

[keithlucky]

Very rare beluga whale spotted off the NE coast of UK possible due to the low seasonal sea temperatures.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YYfSJzmmP1Y" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[knocker]

Blue whale photographed in English seas 'for the first time' in waters off Cornwall

 

Scientists photographed the huge mammal 250 miles off the Cornish coast, in the first sighting in English waters since whalers nearly wiped them out

 

Very good news as it may mean they are slowly recovering having nearly being hunted to extinction.

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/wildlife/11838889/Blue-whale-spotted-in-English-seas-for-the-first-time-in-waters-off-Cornwall.html

Edited September 8, 2015 by knocker

[knocker]

Typical Autumn morning. The odd damselfly still around. I find I'm having frequent conversations with the Squirrels these days so I've put the men in white coats on speed dial.

 

[damianslaw]

Not much activity in this thread - is there any other dedicated to observations of the changing seasons? I wonder why so quiet.

 

Definate signals autumn is now firmly here, many leaves turning golden yellow, burnt orange and crimson coloured tints, some more than others, its noticeable how some turn much earlier than others, some of the same species and in the same place, it doesn't quite make sense.

 

However, conkers, acorns and blackberries are weeks behind where they were last year which admittedly was an exceptionally early autumn in this respect. Many bramble bushes still with green fruits.

[Polar Maritime]

He's rather large.

[Daniel*]

Spiders are horrible creatures can't stand them big or small...

I live adjacent to a woodland Butterflies hardly seen any this year weird isn't it?

I observed a heron the other day majestic birds no photos sadly..I love nature.

[Captain Shortwave]

The biggest spiders I have ever found in this country happened to be in the gas meter at the flat I used to live in*

 

*Insert conspiracy theories about gas companies raking in money from scaring the public. 

Edited September 16, 2015 by Captain shortwave

[knocker]

Leaf-mining moths threaten horse-chestnut trees in Scotland and Ireland

 

A leaf-mining moth, which damages the UK’s iconic horse-chestnut trees, has been recorded for the first time in Ireland and Scotland. In response, a team of scientists have launched the ‘LeafWatch’ mobile phone app and are asking for help from the public to map its northwardly spread.

 

http://www.ceh.ac.uk/news-and-media/news/leaf-mining-moths-threaten-horse-chestnut-trees-scotland-and-ireland

Edited September 21, 2015 by knocker

[Daniel*]

Autumn is now officially here taken about 15m ago in the bathroom first Daddy Longlegs spotting of 2015.

Sorry for poor quality, took photo on my phone then took a other photo of the image on my iPad as for some reason it wouldn't let me log onto netweather on my mobile device.

[knocker]

Captive Tasmanian devils to be set free to boost wild population

 

A captive group of healthy Tasmanian devils will be released to join wild populations this week - in a first for Tasmania.

 

Tasmanian devil populations have been devastated by a fatal facial cancer and previously the endangered animals have only been released on Tasmania's Maria Island where there was no existing population.

 

20 devils - eleven male and nine female - will be put into Narawntapu National Park, east of Devonport, on Friday.

 

The trial is part of the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program.

 

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-23/captive-tasmanian-devils-to-be-set-free-to-boost-wild-population/6795842