Natural Wonders

15/06/2011 Monkey Forest

2011-11-14T19:45:00.000Z

I will get there honestly, I have to balance the catch up work I am doing on my blog with my University work. The photographs of the barbary macaques are from a trip to Monkey Forest in Staffordshire.

University can be a little annoying sometimes, but I do enjoy it, I am currently working on an assignment looking at what has made the red squirrel decline in the UK and it is bringing up some interesting facts. It is not just the parapoxvirus causing the decline, the other major factor is the red squirrels being killed on the road. I'll keep you updated on this.

Pensthorpe - June 4th 2011

2011-11-12T12:39:00.000Z

After having a few further problems with uploading photographs on here it looks like the issue is finally resolved, thankfully. Back to the business of getting up to date with all my day trips on here.

These photographs are from a trip to Pensthorpe back in June (that's such a long time ago now).

Ruff Philomachus pugnax

Blue Tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans

Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum

Redshank Tringa totanus

Cygnet

Rutland Water - 1st June

2011-06-28T17:03:00.003+01:00

A trip to Rutland Water, on the 1st of June 2011, was rather rewarding. A total of 57 bird species, 3 species of butterfly, 3 mammals, and 1 insect. It wasn't a fantastic day for photography though unfortunately so I just focused on taking notes of what I had seen. I have just 1 photograph here, but it's not great. The Forest Bug Pentatoma rufipes nymph isn't particularly in focus but I thought it was a good photograph to show the nymph of this bug.

Forest Bug nymph

Mint Moth

2011-06-28T16:59:00.001+01:00

I took this photograph of the Mint Moth Pyrausta aurata in my garden at the beginning of May:

Mint Moth

Blog is back.

2011-06-27T16:47:00.004+01:00

Tawny Owl 1

After a lot of hard work and help from Blogger my blog is now fixed so I can start adding photographs again and tell yourselves about my journey.

I've missed writing on here an awful lot, and I've got a huge back log of things I've wanted to write on here, but I'm sure over the next few days I'll be able to get back on track.

I've been bird ringing for about a year and a half now. At the beginning of May 2011, I went out with my ringing trainer and checked owl boxes where tawny owls Strix aluco may be breeding. There were approximately 10 owl boxes to check, three of these boxes had tawny owls in, and 2 had eggs. The eggs were left, but the chicks couldn't be rung because they were too young, so it was arranged to come back in 2 weeks to check.


Tawny Owl 2

Tawny Owl 3

So 2 weeks went by and I went back out with my ringing trainer. The next boxes with eggs in hadn't hatched unfortunately, and one box now had 1 chick not 2 so it was assumed due to the lack of food sources one owl had eaten the other. Looking back at past records of tawny owl ringing there has been quite a decline in the numbers this year due to the bad winter we had here in the UK.

The photograph (Tawny owl 4) was taken at the beginning of May. The Tawny owl 5 photograph is the same chick 2 weeks later.

Tawny Owl 4

Tawny Owl 5

Problems

2011-06-03T11:40:00.000+01:00

Please bare with me, I'm currently trying to resolve an issue with my blog (my photographs will not load onto the site). I will try and get this sorted as soon as possible. Thank you.

The Chestnut Centre: Owl, Otter and Wildlife Park

2011-03-28T10:48:00.000+01:00

A fantastic day out yesterday, I visited the Chestnut Centre in the High Peak in Derbyshire. The aim of the trip was for a day out but also in preperation for my dissertation in 2 years time. My next aim is to visit again within a few months and to speak to the keepers about possibly studying the otters for a few days. Chestnut doesn't just focus on otters, it also focuses on owls and other native british species, and for anyone who has a passion about the native wildlife this is a recommended place to visit.

Greenpeace: Fish Matters

2011-02-11T12:28:00.013Z

Following on from my blog entry in October last year regarding Prince's Tuna, I sent off for Greenpeace's 'Fish Matters: helping you make the better choice' which I'm going to address now. Within the introductory letter there was also a small booklet and an advertisement leaflet. The main information is in the booklet.

The world's oceans are being destroyed by overfishing because fish are wanted for food and the oceans limits are being exceeded. Since 1950 tuna, cod and swordfish numbers have fallen by around 90%. Sea beds are destroyed by the current fishing practices, and because of this seabirds, turtles, sharks and dolphins are being caught alongside the targeted fish.

Supermarkets, like-minded companies and the Governement need to act responsibly to change their policies to protect the environment. The fishing industry will be forced to change their fishing methods so as to minimise the bycatch.

Scientific evidence suggest large networks of marine reserves are needed to protect the ocean life. The Governments are under pressure from companies who are forcing this pressure upon them, which personally I think is needed because our oceans need to be protected.

Marine reserves are off limits from fishing, meaning fish stocks can regrow in size, and numbers. Vulnerable species will be protected, species such as: sharks, tuna and swordfish. This will give the marine species the chance to survive the changes in climate change.

Regarding buying fish, and where to buy it from is difficult but for supermarkets this is clear, Sainsburys, Waitrose, The Co-Operative and Marks and Spencers. These supermarkets have the most progressive sourcing policies. Supermarkets sell 90% of the fish sold in the UK, so the change in policies could transform the fishing industry.

Below are 2 quotes from 2 supermarkets.

'The scale of moving all of our tinned tuna to 100% pole and line caught was a massive investment, but we are convinced it was the most sustainable alternative. We did not pass the cost of doing this on to our customers as they expect us to do the right thing' - Ally Dingwall, Sainsburys.

'M&S supports the establishment of large scale no-take marine reserves and believes that the retail sector has a crucial role to play in supporting the initiative' - Richard Luney M&S.

Wherever you by your fish from be sure to ask these questions:

'Where do the fish come from?'
'Are the population in decline?'

'How was it caught?'
'Why is that sustainable?'

'Can you recommend the most sustainable fish option for me?'

This booklet states the following: 'If your supplier doesn't know where the fish comes from - or can't answer the questions, the chances are that it doesn't come from a sustainable source'.

Greenpeace's red list of fish to avoid are highlighted, these species have a very high risk of coming from unsustainable sources. This list can be found at: http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/campaigns/oceans/seafood/red-list-of-species/

Joint best: Sainsbury's and Marks and Spencers, 2nd: Waitrose. 3rd: The Co-Operative, 4th: Tesco, 5th: ASDA, 6th: Morrisons, 7th: John West, WORST: PRINCES

Greenpeace also states the following: ' Sustainability is not just about fresh fish. If you're buying tinned tuna, make sure it's pole and line caught'

Save Our Forests

2011-01-29T19:05:00.004Z

A lot of you may have already heard about the campaign to save England's ancient forests. The Government is planning on selling off a lot of national forests, forests can then be "auctioned and fenced off, run down, logged or turned into golf courses and holiday villages", do we really need to be doing this, in my opinion no we do not.

A lot of wildlife will be under threat because they depend upon the forests for food and shelter. Nightjars, deer, redstarts and insects are just a few examples of the species that could be under threat.

Some of you may have visited The Forest of Dean, Sherwood Forest, and the New Forest (attract a lot of tourists), and they under under threat because of the Governments plans. Once these forests are gone, they are gone, they will be lost forever.

The Woodland Trust and 38 Degrees are asking people to say petitions to stop this from happening, I have signed poth petitions, are you going to do the same? Click on the 2 pictures below and they will take you to the form that needs to be signed and the websites also give you more information if you wish to read before signing.

New Year

2011-01-27T07:37:00.005Z

Since the last post in my blog (October 2010) I have been working hard in my 2nd year at University and putting this blog to one side for a little while: I'm focusing on getting my degree but my blog has always been on my mind.

A lot has happened since October: plans to move to Shetland, plans to go to Borneo to help with the orangutan project and meeting David Bellamy. Moving to Shetland and visiting Borneo is a task that cannot be planned over night it involves a lot of planning and of course money is the big issue especially in this economic downturn. Within the next few years I will hopefully be going to Borneo, Shetland may have to wait a while longer.

My University course is going well and I am thoroughly enjoying it. Some of the modules have not been easy at University but I knew it wasn't going to be. Already I am making plans on what to do for my dissertation assuming I pass my final year of my FdSc.

I'll update soon.

Princes tuna chunks

2010-10-20T11:23:00.004+01:00

Did you know by eating Princes tuna chunks you are destroying other wildlife too? When Princes gets its tuna it is also killing endangered turtles, sharks, rays and other sea life.

Princes is using 'fish aggregation devices' which catches schools of tuna. Floating objects are placed in the ocean to attract tuna, but they also attract turtles, sharks and rays. The first fish aggregation device "increases the amount of bycatch of these unwanted species." So when the tuna gets scooped up in seine nets, so do the unwanted species which are then thrown back into the sea either dead or dying.

Princes is going to set up a sustainable seafood statement, which people have been waiting for two years for. This policy is supposed to address the issues mentioned above.

Greenpeace responded and said: "We were waiting to see just how they were going to justify the blithe statement on their cans that "Princes is fully committed to fishing methods which protect the marine environment and marine life". We waited, and waited - and, well, what a disappointment"

Princes is having a big impact on the oceans. Email princes and tell them what they are doing is wrong and it needs to change:

http://e-activist.com/ea-campaign/clientcampaign.do?ea.client.id=18&ea.campaign.id=8141&utm_source=ebulletin20101015princestuna&utm_medium=email&utm_content=tuna&utm_campaign=oceans

Shetland Diaries

2010-07-23T17:52:00.019+01:00

I had wanted to go to Shetland for years after Simon King presented the TV program Springwatch from there in 2006. After years of saying we’d go 2010 was finally the year that we would make on journey.

I had made a list of target species that I would like to see throughout the week, which included Orcas, Red-Throated Divers and Otters.

2^nd- 3^rd of July 2010

When we left the ferry terminal at Aberdeen there was both a feeling of dread (fear of seasickness) and extreme excitement, but the worry of sicknesses soon disappeared when I spotted a Red-Throated Diver off the harbour. This was a first for me and we had only just left the terminal, I had a good feeling deep inside that this was going to be a fabulous week. There were plenty of seabirds on the journey, which included: Eiders, Black and Common Guillemots, Great Skuas, Shags and many more.

3^rd July 2010

The ferry was due to arrive at 7.30am, but I wanted to see the arrival of Shetland so at 6.00pm I woke my dad up and we went on deck to see the tip of Shetland near the ferry, the further north we travelled the more we saw and the excitement was becoming overwhelming. The islands, which I had wanted to visit for 4 years, were finally in sight and it was a fantastic feeling. We left the ferry at around 8.00am and we had plenty of time to kill, as we weren’t allowed to move into our house for the week until 14.00. We stopped off on the outskirts of Lerwick by the sea, to be greeted by Grey Seals, Arctic Terns, and plenty of Oystercatchers - I’d never seen so many Oystercatchers before.

We arrived at the house (near Bixter) a few hours early before the arrival time but we were allowed in early thankfully. After a few hours relaxing and unpacking my dad and I were off out to a beach nearby. The beach was known as Red Ayre and as my dad pulled up to the beach two lovely Shetland Ponies, which were very tame, greeted us. We got talking to one of the locals and they had said the ponies learnt how to open the gates so they escaped on several occasions, now there was a fence keeping them in. I surveyed the beach looking for seashore wildlife, and photographing whatever I could find.

We arrived back to our house and had our first look at the rocky shoreline in front of the house where we were greeted yet again by more Oystercatchers and a small flock of Dunlin.

We were waiting for a good time to contact the Jamieson family to check the weather conditions were adequate for the boat trip we had booked with them to Mousa. Fortunately the trip was on. Going over in the twilight period was very intriguing, as I didn’t really know what to expect. We arrived and gradually the noises of fairies being sick, which is how the locals define their call. Their call began creeping in to the crashing of the waves and the sound of people’s footsteps. We arrived at the broch and within in an hour or so it was swarming with Storm Petrels. When the Storm Petrels are breeding they only change shifts at nighttime, so they will not be predated by gulls and skuas. The broch on Mousa is the biggest broch in Scotland.

4^th July 2010

Woke up to rain this morning which wasn’t too nice but I wasn’t prepared to let the rain get the better of me as each day was valuable on Shetland and I wasn’t going to let the day go to waste. We got geared up in waterproofs and braved the outdoors. We went to a loch near Bixter and had a walk around there, which was very productive as we saw Turnstones, Arctic Skuas, a Red Throated Diver, Eiders and many, many more Oystercatchers.

5^th July 2010

It was an early start this morning to make our way to the south of the island in the hope of seeing Orcas on Sumburgh Head. We didn’t have much luck on the Orca front but we saw plenty of seabirds including Razorbills, Arctic and Great Skuas, Gannets and very close encounters with Puffins.

We left Sumburgh Head to head to Jarlshof and I left on a high after getting a lot of photographs of the puffins. The Iron Age Village at Jarlshof was somewhere I wished to visit but the price to get in was ridiculous so we didn’t bother. Everyone went for a toilet stop in Jarlshof while I went to the beech where I was met by a family of Eiders and 2 Red-Breasted Mergansers. We then moved on to the Pool of Virkie where there were a lot of wading birds including Shelduck, Redshank, Curlews and plenty of opportunities to photograph Arctic Terns.

Puffin:

Fulmar:

Guillemot colony:

Arctic Skua attacking a Hooded Crow:

Shag:

Ringed Plover and Dunlin:

Arctic Terns:

6^th July 2010

Last night we decided we were going to visit the islands on the east coast of the mainland. On the ferry from Toft to Ulsta I met a guy who said he would let me know if Orcas were spotted in Yell Sound. We arrived on Yell and another wildlife tour guide said Orcas were seen from West Sandwick, we were in luck. They were far away but through a scope the views were pretty good.

We went from West Sandwick to Buravoe to look for otters but didn’t have too much success but we did see Black Tailed Godwits.

We headed over to Unst and visited the Hermaness NNR where I saw Golden Plovers, Common Snipe, Skylarks and Skuas.

On the way back home we stopped off south of Voe where we saw 7 Whooper Swans.

Great Skua:

Dunlin:

Gannet colony:

7^th July 2010

We had a general mooch around Shetland today as we decided we would take it easy. The day was rather quiet we visited the Shetland Jewellery store and art gallery in Weisdale for a few hours in the morning.

8^th July 2010

We wend back to Yell and Unst because I was given some information on good places to see otters, the first few places on the list were a little unsuccessful but at one of the sites there was otter spraint by the holt. We went back to west Sandwick again for the second time and this was the destination where we saw an Otter for the first time on Shetland. I’ve seen Otters previously on Mull, but I was surprised this was the first one I’d seen on Shetland as they are supposed to be in such high numbers.

9^th July 2010

There were a pair of Starlings nesting just outside the house we were staying in, I timed how often they were feeding the chicks, about 4 times every 5 minutes. I fetched my camcorder from the house and my camera and spent a little while watching their busy lifestyles.

We visited the isle of Whalsay today where we saw Water Pipits which were a first for me, Turnstones which I’d previously seen on Mull, Oystercatchers and we also had good views of Grey Seals. I made my way down the rocky shoreline every time the seal went under water and by the time I had gone as far down as I could I was within 10 metres of it.

The Isle of Whalsay was a fantastic looking place and it was easily a place that I could have called home.

Starling:

Grey Seal:

10^th July 2010

We had to be out of the house by 10am this morning as there would be new people moving in, in the afternoon. We headed to Lerwick to the place where we had visited the first day. We headed off to Lerwick town centre to be greeted by the skipper of the Dunter III who was taking us on the Seabirds and Seals boat trip around the Isle of Noss. The whole trip was fantastic the views of the Gannet colony were absolutely fantastic and it’s one of those experiences that you will never forget. Every trip the skipper leads a ginger biscuit is held out of the boat for the Great Skuas. I was filming this happening at the time and the Skua flew straight into my camcorder, I ducked at the last second, other wise it could have been the end of my camcorder. Arriving back in Lerwick was the sign that the holiday was coming to an end, we were soon to be leaving Shetland unfortunately, which I wasn’t happy about at all. As my dad drove onto the ferry at 19.00 I knew this was the end of my holiday.

Grey Seals:

Great Skua

Potteric Carr

2010-07-15T12:24:00.007+01:00

I went over to Potteric Carr Nature Reserve yesterday near Doncaster. I personally think it's one of the best sites I know where you can photograph insects in summer.

Here's a list of birds seen:

Little Grebes

Grey Heron

Little Egrets

Mute Swans

Canada Geese

Greylag Geese

Mallards

House Martins

Magpie

Robin

Chaffinch

Kestrel

Moorhen

Coots

Lapwings

Black Headed Gulls

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Swifts

Jay

Starlings

Great Tits

Reed Buntings

Great Spotted Woodpecker:

Jays:

Here's a list of the Dragonflies and Damselfies seen:

Broad Bodied Chaser
Common Darter
Blue Tailed Damselfly
Common Blue Damselfly
Ruddy Darter

Here's a list of butterflies seen:

Small tortoiseshell
Ringlet
Gatekeeper
Large White
Speckled Wood
Meadow Brown

Small tortoiseshell:

Here's a list of insects seen:
Soldier Beetle
Pellucid Hoverfly
Hoverfly
Cinnibar Moth caterpillars
6 spot Burnet
Leptura Maculata

Pellucid Hoverfly:

Soldier beetles:

Leptura maculata:

Hoverfly:

Fox Hunting Poll

2010-07-12T16:20:00.003+01:00

I'm sure many of you will be aware of the fox hunting ban by now with the constant broadcasting on the news. MPs are being given the chance next year to vote on whether to repeal the Hunting Act or not. The League Against Cruel Sports believes the MPs currently have a chance of keeping the ban banned but this new intake of MPs means this could change.

I personally don't agree with the way this is being decided, members of the public should have some sort of say in that matter surely as we're the ones who have created this controversy.

What are your feelings on the matter?

Caterpillars and larvae

2010-06-27T12:11:00.003+01:00

I went for a little strole around my campus at University yesterday which is an old agricultural college and I came across a caterpillar which I struggled to ID at the time but with a little help I found out that it was a Peacock butterfly caterpillar. I also came across some ladybird eggs and larvae.

Peacock butterfly caterpillar:

Ladybird larvae and eggs:

BBC Wild Night In Update

2010-06-21T19:03:00.001+01:00

I watched Wild Night In on the BBC channel on Sunday night. It was upsetting to hear of the following:

These are the numbers of individuals left in the wild:
5,500 Wild Dogs
680 Mountain Gorillas
1,012 Hawaiian Monk Seals
250 Philippine Eagles
182 Gharials
93 Kakapo
61 Javan Rhinoceros
35 Vancouver Island Marmots
34 Amur Leopards
1 Pinta Island Tortoise

Figures were also given for some of the species which have become extinct over the years:

Pere David’s Deer in 1939
Red Wolf 1980
Spix’s Macaw 2000
Scimitar-horned Oryx 2000
Thylacine 1936

The Golden Toad is gone forever.

The BBC’s Wild Night In showed projects all over the world which are now growing and benefiting because of the BBC Wildlife Funds money. Project Seahorse has been set up in the Philippines and now the local people are setting aside areas for the seahorses to breed, this is just one success story but more can be made with your help. It is now up to us the public to donate more money to set up new projects around the world. Last night over half a million pounds was raised, and now it’s up to nearly a million but lets keep this figure rising.

If you have not already watched BBC’s Wild Night In here is the link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00ss2h1/Wild_Night_In/

This link gives a list of ways in which you can raise money to help more species at risk of extinction: http://www.bbc.co.uk/wild/donate/

Wear your Wildlife to Work Day

2010-06-17T18:46:00.002+01:00

I've just found this from the Springwatch website, it is probably a little too late so I apologise, but if you pick this message up, why not take part?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wild/www-day/

Poplar Hawkmoth

2010-06-17T12:29:00.002+01:00

I was fortunate to have a Poplar Hawkmoth Laothoe populi in my garden a few days ago which was a first for me as I had never seen one before.

Red squirrels adopting unrelated red squirrels

2010-06-13T15:02:00.003+01:00

The University of Alberta’s Jamieson Gorrell have been observing red squirrels Sciurus vulgaris in Yukon (western most point in Canada) and he noticed an adult red squirrel had adopted a newborn red squirrel which had been abandoned by its mother. The red squirrel took the baby to a near by tree where she proceeded to care for it.

Gorrell found that the young squirrel was related to its adoptive mother. Researchers think the biological mother disappeared and the adoptive mother to be recognised a genetic link so adopted it.

This research proves a ‘long-accepted theory of evolutionary biology is correct for a solitary, non social animal.’

Palm Oil

2010-06-11T20:49:00.003+01:00

I recently came across a website on the internet (greenpalm.org) that gave an overview on palm oil, stating key facts about its production and the devastating effects it is having on the environment. I though it key to mention this on here in the hope of spreading the word about what palm is and what it does.

I have taken the liberty to compact all the information on this website into a smaller format which still puts the point across.

So, what is palm oil, well palm oil is obtained from the fruit of the oil palm tree, which contributes to the economic development of most countries around the world.

You will be aware of the uses of palm oil from my previous article on my blog but I came across further products which contain palm oil and these are: margarine, cereals, crisps, sweets and baking goods but it is not just food it is everyday household items for example soaps, washing powder and cosmetics.

The problem begins with the manufacturers who use palm oil and they list it as ‘vegetable oil’ under the list of ingredients so it is therefore disguised. I recently visited an oriental supermarket with a friend near where I live and all of the products which contained palm oil actually said it in the ingredients, which was a big surprise.

On a positive note a recent article produced in The Independent states that Nestle, the worlds biggest food manufacturer is going to make palm oil in its chocolate bars more eco-friendly.

There are 17 countries in the world that produce palm oil, the top 5 nations are Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Nigeria and Colombia. Malaysia and Indonesia account for 85% of the palm oil production. One quarter of the palm oil produced worldwide is used domestically while the other three quarters are exported to Asia, the EU and Africa, who are the main importers of palm oil.

Not all palm oil is sustainable, leading to issues with the local biodiversity, soil degradation, local people, land rights and many, many more. New plantations have resulted in large areas of forest being destroyed, which is therefore having significant impacts on the biodiversity.

Orangutan habitats have been threatened by palm oil. In 1900 there were 315,000 individuals in the wild and today there are fewer than 50,000. Unless the devastation of their habitat decreases the orangutans could be driven to extinction within 12 years.

Environmental campaigners are claiming that within 15 years 98% of the Indonesian and Malaysian rainforests will be gone unless drastic action is taken.

Like myself you will probably be asking what the alternatives are, and that is a hard question to answer because it is hard to find any alternatives, soya oil presents similar problems, and there would be a difficulty in producing significant quantities of other oils such as rapeseed or sunflower oil, and animal fats present cholesterol problems. 20% of smallholders rely on growing palm oil as their source of income. The issue here is this: with a growing population there are more mouths to feed and the palm oil tree can be grown in bulk quantities therefore has an important role in feeding the growing planet.

There are many social and environmental activists supporting the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), which includes organisations such as Oxfam and the Rainforest Allowance.

The Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO) and the Palm Kernel Oil (CSPKO) are produced by palm oil plantations, which comply with the environmental standards, which have been devised by the RSPO. The RSPO was founded in 2003 and aims to spread the environmentally-friendly production on the palm oil.

I strongly think that palm oil is an appalling fix which is destroying the rainforests at an astonishing rate, does any one care? It makes me sick, half the people in the UK couldn't give a damn, giving the lame excuse of "why should we care?" and "who cares if the orang-utans go extinct?" is this really the attitude that we should be having? NO! That is why action needs to be taken to stop this horrible 'craze' so that both people and the environment can live in peace and harmony rather than this constant battle.

People are far too greedy, they couldn't give a damn if the rainforest was destroyed because all they can care about is going to the supermarket and not bothering to check the products they buy. The issue here though is this: most products these days contain palm oil, and it's getting ridiculous, it’s not the people who buy these products who are to blame though it is the companies that are producing and selling these products.

I just wish more people could care about the environment rather than demolishing it at every available opportunity that they have.

Palm Oil in Nestlé chocolate

2010-04-23T09:19:00.010+01:00

I'm sure many of you will be aware by now that most british chocolate uses Palm Oil. I came across an article on my local Greenpeace website this morning on Palm Oil in Nestlé chocolate. Recent evidence has been found to show that Nestlé who are the makers of Kit Kats are using palm oil. Palm oil exists in areas of the rainforest where the orang-utans’ rainforests once grew. The Indonesian forests are being torn down to grow palm oil which is the vegetable fat of choice for companies worldwide’. Unilever and Kraft are making efforts to disassociate themselves from the palm oil industry, Nestlé has not done this. Nestlé’s supplier: Sinar Mar, is responsible for a big part of this carnage, they’re known to have a bad reputation for environmental and social practices.

This is what the Sinar Mar companies are up to http://eyesontheforest.or.id/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=285&Itemid=1

Recent evidence that has been collected http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/files/pdfs/forests/red-handed.pdf shows how Sinar Mar is destroying carbon-rich peatlands as well as clearing forests.

I came across this video this morning and it's horrific:

http://vimeo.com/10236827

I feel very strongely about palm oil in British chocolate, I have begun taking action, I am no longer buying Cadburys, Nestle or Galaxy chocolate because I strongely believe what these people are doing is very wrong. If you feel the same please spread the word of what these organisations are doing. Please feel free to copy the links onto your blogs.

Birdlife Malta

2010-04-22T09:28:00.006+01:00

After receiving my monthly subscription of Bird Watching through the post this morning, I came across an article from Chris Packham entitled "The Bloody Isle", in which the article talks about the hunting in Malta. Chris's anger on the matter is perfectly understandable, there's a key fact that sticks out to me when reading his article: Mizieb, in the Maltese Islands is a strong hold for migrants, the Birdlife Malta Raptor Camp members along with the Committee Against Bird Slaughter went and investigated the site after gun shots were heard, and the remains of 200 protected species were found along the site.

There's only a limited amout that can be done without getting out there. It's incredibly distressing and very annoying to hear of such dispicable behaviour of some people. Volunteers for Birdlife Malta aim to conserve the habitats and the birds within Malta. The Maltese Islands lie on one of main flyways for bird migration. Unfortunately most hunters and trappers get away with this unjustly behaviour, but the locals are forced to live with the restrictions imposed on land.

Recent events of volunteers recording bird migration and illegal hunting has resulted in these volunteers suffering several violent attacks sometimes on a daily basis. http://birdlifemalta.org/view.aspx?id=244

These volunteers are trying to help stop these horrific attacks on the wild birds, and in doing so they're getting verbally and physically assulted, how is this right? I would be very interested to know your views on the matter.

Here is a link to the website: http://birdlifemalta.org/index.aspx

One final thing for you to look at: http://birdlifemalta.org/photogallery/videos/?sectionid=10. This could be a little distressing for some viewers.

Earth Hour 2010

2010-03-27T10:51:00.001Z

Born Free: Vote for Tigers

2010-01-22T09:13:00.002Z

I came across an interesting article on Born Free's website: the aim is to save tigers in the wild and to end the abuse which they suffer in captivity. You can then add your vote to try and save the tigers: http://www.bornfree.org.uk/news/news-article/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=450

UKs biggest swan count is underway

2010-01-17T12:14:00.002Z

Since starting Uni things have been quite hectic which is why my blog hasn't been updated as much as I would have liked but I'm going to try and leave out a little time every week to update on here.

I recently came across an article on the BBCs website. Volunteers from the Wildlife and Wetlands Trust are counting the number of Bewicks and Whooper Swans in order to help international research of these two birds. Both of these swans are under threat from pollution, illegal hunting, and most importantly, habitat loss!

This swan survey takes place every 5 years!

For further information: http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8459000/8459856.stm

Tree O'Clock

2009-11-18T11:41:00.002Z

I have heard the "Tree O'Clock" world record attempt mentioned on Autumnwatch a few times, and at a local wildlife meeting I went to recently. The aim is to "plant your very own tree as part of a Guinness World Record attempt" It's happening all over the UK on the 5th of December from 11am-12noon. 1 million trees need to be planted in order to beat the record. To find out where you could do this check out the website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces/treeoclock/
If you plant a tree please let me know, it would be great to hear your experience from it. I will be taking part and planting a tree with WildDerby at Allestree Park.

Seals Donna Nook

2009-11-08T12:27:00.003Z

I visited Donna Nook yesterday to see the seal colony. Seals are one of my favourite animals. There were seals giving birth all the time but unfortunately the nearest I got to this was watching one having contractions.

WWF "Vote Earth!" campaign

2009-11-04T19:50:00.002Z

Due to recently starting University I have been very busy, so I haven't had a lot of time to get outdoors and therefore update my blog.
In one of my lectures recently I came across a campaign on the WWF website called "Vote Earth!" For my information about this please follow the link, and then sign the petition if you agree with it: http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/campaigning/vote_earth___for_a_global_climate_deal/

Little poser!

2009-09-21T11:05:00.002+01:00

I went to my local bird club yesterday evening, unfortunately I didn't see the Osprey again. There wasn't much about, but this crow was posing, so I spent quite a while photographing it:

Fur Free

2009-09-21T09:39:00.003+01:00

Derby Ecofest was on this weekend and I spent both days there. There were some very interesting stalls, but the Respect for Wildlife stand stuck out to me. This stand was trying to tell people about the fur trade. I disagree with the fur trade, it's horrible. It is really upsetting so I am going to let you read about it here then you can decide if you would like to sign the petition at the bottom of the page: http://www.respectforanimals.co.uk/home.php/furfree/more/sign_up_to_our_fur_free_petition/

Two Shrikes in a day!

2009-09-18T14:00:00.007+01:00

I had read a lot about Spurn Head and fellow bird watchers told me it's one of the best sites for bird watching. On Wednesday evening I went to my local bird club and I got talking to another member, and he said Spurn was a fantastic at the moment, so me and my dad went home and prepared food and equipment to go the following day.

So yesterday off we went, just before entering the reserve we stopped off to have a look what was about. There were Golden Plovers, Ringed Plovers, Redshanks, Dunlin, Turnstones, Shelducks, Blackbirds, Robins, Sedge Warbler, Mistle Thrush and Starlings.

The day on the reserve started off a little slow, but by late morning we heard there was a Red-backed Shrike at the point, 2 bird watchers were going to look as well, so we went and had a look together. It was a great success, the shrike appeared and we had great views. There were 2 Restarts and a Spotted Flycatcher as well. The 2 people who were with us said there was a Woodchat Shrike at Sammys' point, I had wanted to see one of these for a few years. We didn't know the area so the 2 people we had made friends with showed us the way, and yet again we had a good view, it flew off but when leaving the car park it was in a tree next to the car, so the view was fantastic.

We went back to Spurn to watch one of the best wildlife spectacles there. We were next to the Bird Observatory it watch the numbers of Knot build up on a sand bank a little way up the spit. One of the bird ringers said we could get closer because there was a bird hide in front of the bank, so off we went as quick as possible. We waited for about half an hour, the numbers of Knot buildling and buildling on the bank, among the Knot were, Sanderlings, Dunlin and Grey Plover. There must have been over 20,000 Knot. It was fantastic.

I had two new life species at Spurn, but I will be going back in a few weeks.

Buzzard and Hen Harrier deaths

2009-09-16T11:10:00.003+01:00

I found two threads this morning on Birdforum, both of which shocked me.

The first of which is about a Buzzard that was found dead at Holkham Hall in North Norfolk. It is believed to have been shot quite far away from where it died, possibly Sandringham. The estate is offering a reward of £500 to anyone with any information. To read further into this, here is the link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/norfolk/8257551.stm

The second thread was about a Hen Harrier that was destroyed in Lancashire last week. This story is sickening and a lot of people like me are very, very angry. No one is sure at the moment if the birds were predated or not. To read further into this story follow this link: http://raptorpolitics.org.uk/?p=588

Willow Warbler in my garden

2009-09-14T09:00:00.004+01:00

Last Thursday I was very fortunate to have a Willow Warbler in my garden. It spent about half an hour eating greenfly, but I haven't seen it since. I have never had a Willow Warbler in my garden so I was quite thrilled. I had a Garden Warbler visit a few years ago but it only stayed for a few minutes.

Birdfair 2009

2009-08-21T14:11:00.004+01:00

I am sure most of you will be aware that the Birdfair at Rutland Water began today and runs until this Sunday (23rd). In 2006 and 2007 the funds went to "Saving the World's Critically Endangered Birds", the Birdwatching Fair is going to continue with that this year, to read more about the projects click on this link: http://www.birdfair.org.uk/pp/gold/viewGold.asp?IDType=Page&ID=15223, for general Birdfair information click on the picture below.

Norfolk ladybird invasion

2009-08-21T13:49:00.005+01:00

About a month back I went to North Norfolk for a weeks bird watching. It was about the time I went when the ladybird invasion began. On the 3rd of August an article was published in North Norfolk News: http://www.northnorfolknews.co.uk/content/northnorfolknews/news/story.aspx?brand=NNNOnline&category=news&tBrand=NNNOnline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED03%20Aug%202009%2015%3A55%3A02%3A420

The ladybird invasion is predicted to last until the end of September which is having its toll on tourism on the North Norfolk coast.

Throughout my week in Norfolk I counted a total of 18 different species of butterflies including White Admirals at Holkham Hall, A Dark Green Fritillary and Small Coppers at Weeting Heath, and of course the common visitors; Comma, Red Admirals, Peacocks etc. It was a fantastic week for butterflies and the few months.

Burnet moth:

Painted Lady:

White Admiral:

Garden Moths Count

2009-06-23T09:02:00.005+01:00

Unfortunately I've only just found the information for the Garden Moths Count survey. The survey began on the 20th of June and runs until the 28th, so there are still 5 days left to take part.

The Garden Moths Count is a "nationwide survey to discover which amazing moths live in our gardens".

To find out how to take part in this survey click on the picture below.

RSPB Naturecount

2009-06-07T17:56:00.005+01:00

During the week of 8-14 June the RSPB are asking people to spend one hour counting the number of birds and other wildlife in their gardens. It's not just birds they want you to observe like the Big Garden Birdwatch, but anything that "crawls, hops, flutters and flies". The main aim of this survey is build up a database of the wildlife that visits gardens in the summer.

For further details on the rules that apply etc simply click on the picture below:

Dirty Weekend - Springwatch

2009-06-06T09:06:00.002+01:00

http://www.bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces/dirtyweekend/

Have a look what's going on in your area over the weekend! There are sites all over the country that you can go and visit and get "dirty". Let me know what you all get up to.

A break from Coursework

2009-04-25T14:37:00.004+01:00

Last week I went to my local bird club to have a break from coursework. It was a good few hours out, and I had a great view of a Common Snipe.

Grey Heron:

Grey Squirrel:

Common Snipe:

Blacktoft Sands breeding season

2009-04-25T14:12:00.005+01:00

About 2 weeks back I went to Blacktoft Sands RSPB reserve, and it was a fantastic day out, with a few rare birds (Garganey and Spotted Redshank) and great photographing opportunities. A lot of the birds were in breeding plumage and there were a lot of courtship displays.

Black Headed Gull:

Garganey:

Spotted Redshank:

Avocets:

Oil Spill

2009-03-15T14:10:00.003Z

A recent news report has claimed that the previous report of 20-30 tonnes of oil that leaked onto Australias coastline was wrong, in fact it was 230 tonnes. The spill is 10x worse the previously thought, the oil is said to be "carcinogenic" and is threatening a lot of wildlife. There has been a big clean up operation over the weekend, but there is still a lot more work to do.
To view more recent headlines visit this link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7943392.stm

Australia oil spill

2009-03-13T18:44:00.003Z

An oil spill stretching across 40 miles of Queensland, Australia is causing a lot of worry for the wildlife. The ship which was holding 30 tonnes of oil was hit by severe weather conditions and all the oil was pushed by high winds to Morton Island off Brisbane. Straight away volunteers and environmental officers got to work to rescue as much wildlife in the area as possible, turtle eggs and pelicans were two of these. There is a big worry at the moment for a pod of dolphins which feed at Tangalooma beach on Moreton Island every night. It's not yet known how and if they are affected.

A video can be found on the BBC website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7941489.stm

Waxwing Influx

2009-02-04T18:57:00.005Z

I went and photographed a flock of approx. 25 Waxwings in a village near me about a week and a half ago. I went again on Saturday and Sunday, yet this time a further increase of 20, bringing the total to 45. I have seen Waxwings before, but never in such high numbers, and such a short distance away.

New Year

2008-12-31T21:10:00.006Z

I hope everyone has had a lovely Christmas, and I wish you all the best for the New Year.

I have to say I have had a fantastic year regarding wildlife. I've learnt so much this year, from so many lovely people. I have seen so many new species of birds.

For a number of years I have sent my bird sightings/records to Birdtrack, recently I have worked out Birdtrack can give you a year list and a life list for the total number of species. This year I have had a total of 157 species, 21 of these are new species. Which I have to say I was rather impressed with. As a life list, so far I have 186 species.

Hopefully I will have another fantastic year for 2009. I hope you do as well.

I wish you all the best.

Committee for Climate Change

2008-12-01T16:09:00.003Z

I received an email today regarding the proposed plans for climate change. There are two major events on climate change taking place in the first week of December. Today the Committee for Climate Change are meeting with the UK Government to give advice on what its three carbon budgets should be. In march 2009 these will be set by the Government.

For the next two weeks (1st-14th December) world leaders are meeting in Poznan, Poland, to prepare for a international deal in Copenhagen, here global warming levels will be discussed and can hopefully be kept below 2°C, which can save humans and wildlife in years to come.

It's asked if people can spread the word in their local media, either by writing an article in the local paper, or speaking about it in a formal meeting.

For more information you can visit: http://www.rspb.org.uk/supporting/campaigns/campaignwithus/current/recharge/index.asp

Badger cull

2008-11-30T11:17:00.001Z

Take a look at the following article, and if you wish, you can follow the links to the petition
http://www.blackandwhite.info/data/petition-wales.htm

Ivory Trading

2008-11-20T18:52:00.001Z

I’ll let you have a look at the following two pictures, to give you an idea of what I am talking about.

The ivory trade has declined over recent years, but a recent article, made me wonder....how much ivory hunting still goes ahead. I think it is absolutely sickening to think animals deserve this. When I came across these photographs I physically felt ill, annoyed and appalled that anyone could actually want to do this. There’s a big problem with habitat destruction caused by deforestation, meaning the elephants have a shortage of food and have nowhere to hide if danger occurred.
Some people are extremely bothered about this matter and want to take action (like myself) other people think it’s a good idea, while other people do not show the slightest bit of interest. Some people say ivory hunting needs to be carried out to provide business for people, well.... I’ll leave you to make up your mind on that. Personally I think action needs to be taken, yet to make ivory hunting banned it has to be taken to a global scale!
There are numerous ways you can help save the elephants, including, donating money to elephant based organisations, adopt an elephant, or help stop the trading by visiting Africa and taking part in the ban.
I adopted an elephant a couple of years ago as part of the Born Free charity. It brings great joy every few months when you have updates on how your adopted elephant is doing. I chose to adopt Esprit because I wanted to support a fantastic charity and I wanted to help the animal itself by paying for its well being, and the research that will help her in the future.

Habitat destruction

2008-11-16T16:12:00.002Z

After working all day today I went out with my mum for a short walk around the fields where I live. Over the road from where I live are two rather big fields, that over the years have become a fantastic habitat for wildlife. On the way back home after having a lovely walk, I walked past these two fields. There were a few Hawthorns with lovely red berries, I could hear a lot of bird activity within, so decided to see what was about, and to my surpise there were about half a dozen Redwings feasting on the berries. Blackbirds, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Greenfinch were also amongst the Redwings, they to were enjoying the good food source. It's amazing to think that a few Hawthorns next to a busy road are providing a good source of food for a wide variety of birds. I'm going to keep check on these Hawthorns over the next few days to see what other birds arrive, you never know what you'll get, maybe a Waxwing! There's apparently an influx of Waxwings this year.
After watching the Redwings for a good 15 minutes we walked back home along the two fields. Within one of these fields is a pond, which in the summer time provides a great habitat for dragonflies, damselflies and breeding birds. I felt really happy, until my mum said there were plans to re develop the local primary school onto one the fields (the one with the pond), this got me very, very annoyed. By buliding a school on this field all the wildlife will go, and could potentially ruin everything. I've thought for a long while about contacting the owner of these fields and asking them if they wanted to turn it into a breathing place, yet now I think it may be to late. Yet I'm going to do all I can to stop the building going ahead. These fields are the only decent wildlife spots in my village, if they are destroyed, well...... Something has to be done!!

Blog action day - today!

2008-10-15T08:47:00.000+01:00

A lot of people do not realise how well off they are until they look at 3rd world countries, and watch stories on the news about starving and dying people.

People around the world struggle to live, people are dying of illnesses that have no cure and are killing hundreds of people every year. A lot of people do not have jobs and the small number that do they are paid very little; barely enough money to feed a small family.

Most people own livestock and they couldn’t survive without them, they use the livestock to produce food, and as transport. Livestock (goats, donkeys etc) do not have an easy life either, not because of how they are treated but because the owners have very little money to treat the livestock well. Livestock such as donkeys are expected to carry a lot of weight each day. The owners have very little choice to do this because they can’t physically carry that much weight themselves. A lot of livestock becomes ill because of how much they carry each day, yet the owners can not afford to pay for medicine.

Just think of all the livestock suffering in the world because the owners can not afford the veterinary care that’s needed, by helping the people you are helped the livestock as well.

RGS

2008-10-08T18:11:00.005+01:00

I'm off to London on Friday, one of the places I'll hopefully be visiting is the RGS (Royal Geographical Society). I've been looking on their website and came across this:
http://www.rgs.org/WhatsOn/21cc.htm
it looks really, really interesting. For a long, long time now I have wanted to take part in one of these meetings basically so I can put my feelings across which I wouldn't normally do. So hopefully.....I'll be able to go. There are a lot of things going on in the world at the moment and I would just like to think maybe if I say something it would help.

Big Cat Live

2008-10-06T19:38:00.004+01:00

If you missed Big Cat Live last night you can now watch it over the next 6 days on BBC iPlayer. I've just finished watching it on iPlayer and I admit I found it that moving I did actually have tears in my eyes. Africa is a place I have longed to go for most of my life, yet I have never managed to actually get there. A dream would be to get a degree at university and to go and live in Africa where I can have a job in the environment.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00dykqr

Radio 2 mention

2008-10-03T20:46:00.004+01:00

Not long now until Autumnwatch, just one month, and I can't wait. It begins early November for a wonderful 2 weeks.

Autumnwatch was mentioned on Radio 2 a few weeks back and it sounds like it's going to be a good one. Radio 2 is a good radio station for both natural and Geographical documentaries, I listen to it an awful lot, mind you I don't like any other radio stations.

Have a look at the following link

http://www.bbc.co.uk/earth/nature/uk/autumnwatch/

Hoppipolla

2008-09-23T19:30:00.003+01:00

I found this great video on Youtube featuring one of my favourite songs; Hoppipolla by Sigur Ros.

The music to the video you may well know as the theme to Planet Earth.

To me the images and film on this video show how special this planet is for its Geography and wildlife. What do you think?

Hoppipolla is well suited to the Planet Earth theme and I can see exactly why it was picked. Each little bit of the music means something, well to me it does. The accented drum beats give the feeling of movement/migraton for example.

Old Moor RSPB reserve

2008-09-14T10:41:00.006+01:00

I've only been back at school three days and I already have a lot of work, so yesterday the weather was great so I went to Old Moor RSPB reserve for the day to have a break from everything. I have recently been given a new camera as it was time to have an upgrade from my old one, so going to Old Moor gave me a chance to experiment with it. I'm glad I did take it - the light was fantastic and there was a lot to photograph.
Birds seen: Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Golden Plover, Mute Swans, Gadwall, Little Egret, Canada Geese, Greylag Geese, Little Grebes, Great Crested Grebe, Mallards, Moorhen, Coots, Lapwings, Black Tailed Godwits, Ruff, Common Snipe, Kingfisher, Collared Doves, Woodpigeons, Magpie, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Blue Tits, Willow Tit, Chaffinch, Linnets and Tree Sparrows, .
Other wildlife seen: Common Darter, Common Blue Damselfly, Highland Cattle and Jacobs Sheep.

Canada Goose:

Mute Swan:

Green Sandpiper:

Greenshank:

Goldfinch:

Golden Plover:

Gadwall:

Pied Wagtail:

Common Darter:

Highland Cattle:

Blog Action Day

2008-08-28T09:36:00.002+01:00

Phobias, they don't just occur with people

2008-08-26T16:59:00.003+01:00

A rather interesting story on the BBC website about an Arctic hooded seal which seems to dislike the cold environment. The seal swam from the arctic waters to the Canaries (over 1,000 miles) to be in a warmer environment. The seal named Sahara was taken to Cornwall Seal Sanctuary where it's facing its phobia and is now on the mend to recovery to living its life in the cold. To read more visit the BBC link here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/7581098.stm

Little Owl

2008-08-01T17:05:00.007+01:00

As you have probably gathered by the title this entry does involve a Little Owl. A couple of days back I tried again to see the Barn Owl at my local bird club. I arrived a little early so I went back to the tree where the Little Owls had been seen, again I managed to see them, yet this time I managed to get photographs which was excellent.

Little Owl:

After photographing the Little Owls I went to the hide. On the last blog entry I enclosed a photograph of a Moorhen on a nest, I went back to the exact same sight and again I saw the Moorhen on the nest, yet the nest had grown almost double the size since I last looked. I was amazed at how much the nest had grown in the space of a week.

Moorhen on nest:

I stopped off again to try and see the Barn Owl but I failed this time, yet I did hear a Tawny Owl.
Overall a fantastic day especially having the opportunity to photograph the Little Owl.

Two owls in a day

2008-07-26T19:38:00.006+01:00

Yesterday afternoon I went to my local bird club for a couple of hours. A family of moorhen consisting of one adult and 4 young provided great entertainment for me. Here are the photographs of them. I also saw a Common Sandpiper and a Little Egret.

Moorhen feeding young:

Moorhen chick:

On the way back home down the lane from the bird club, I visited a site where a family of Little Owls had been seen, I could hear them calling to begin with and then finally I saw one, that was great as I had only ever seen a Little Owl once before.

That evening I went back to my local bird club in the hope to see a family of Barn Owls. I went to the hide to begin with where I saw a Green Sandpiper and a Moorhen on a nest. After taking the photographs I went off up the lane to see if I could see the Barn Owls, I met up with a couple of fellow bird watchers and we waited to see what we could see. Finally after about 15 minutes wait there it was, as soon as I had seen it, it was gone.

Moorhen on nest (different family from earlier on today):

What a great day I had, I'd seen a Barn Owl and a Little Owl, two Owls in a day, it isn't very often that happens is it?

Rutland Water insects

2008-07-26T17:28:00.008+01:00

On Thursday I went to Rutland Water for the day. I was lucky enough to see the Osprey parents, not the young though as this pair of Ospreys have failed to raise young this year the reasons are unknown, there are a couple of possibilities but there is no real explanation for it at the moment, the wardens and rangers have to wait until the Ospreys have all migrated until they can check out the nest site.

Soldier Beetle:

Skipper:

Common Blue Damselfly:

Hover Fly:

Little Egret:

Green Sandpipers:

Grey Heron:

Rizzo’s dolphin trapped in River Clyde

2008-06-26T10:12:00.003+01:00

A Rizzo’s dolphin swam into the River Clyde in Glasgow. It has been said that there is a possibility that the is dolphin is depressed and has gone into the river to die, and is sending out distress signals. Yet another depressing and upsetting story. Read the article if you would like to know more.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article4197500.ece

Devastating effects of biofuels

2008-06-25T19:56:00.002+01:00

In my opinion yet another disastrous proposal regarding the environment. The Kenyan government has decided that due to biofuels becoming low something needs to be done. They are hoping to destroy 80 square miles of the Tana River Delta, and replace it with sugarcane which can be used for biofuels. The consequences of doing this though could be astronomical for the wildlife. An article I have been looking at says:
"Conservationists and villagers living in the Delta, which provides refuge for 350 species of bird, lions, elephants, rare sharks and reptiles including the Tana writhing skink, believe the decision is illegal and are determined to block the development"
The word rare sticks out to me.

Read the article for yourself, and make your own opinion.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/details.asp?id=tcm:9-192938

Natural Quarry - Book (David Boag)

2008-06-25T19:41:00.005+01:00

Miss Ellis, my Geography teacher bought this book the other day, she thought I would love to have a look at it, and I did. We had great fun looking at the photographs. She was right when she said I thought I would love it. A lot of time was spent with us observing the photographs, some of them provided great entertainment. A fantastic book, with some absolutely cracking photographs.

Thanks for showing it me Miss Ellis. Where did you get it from? it's such a fantastic book.

Lathkill Dale

2008-06-25T18:50:00.005+01:00

Last week I went on a trip with my Applied Science class to Lathkill Dale. In preparation for my A2 coursework, and what a great day it turned out to be. Lathkill Dale is known for Dippers, and strangely I didn't see one, every other time I have been to Lathkill Dale I have seen one, this time it was not the case. It is luck more than anything, and knowing the habitat of the bird. I did see Grey Wagtails, and a Tawny Owl though. I have never seen a Tawny Owl I have heard plenty of them, usually when I go to Norfolk camping, they are usually all around the campsite. I was so happy to have finally seen one. Yet another first for me.

Tawny Owl:

Conwy RSPB

2008-06-24T19:59:00.004+01:00

It has taken me so long to sort of my photos especially the ones from Norfolk, that's why these photos are being posted a little late, yet I am on top of it now, due to me having a lot more free time to sort them out.

At the beginning of the month I went on a trip to Conwy RSPB reserve in North Wales, with other bird watchers. It was a trip organised by a bird club near me. It was a fantastic day trip, I really enjoyed it. I met loads of really nice people, who I could share my interests, and observations with. A friend of mine from my local bird club went, which was really nice, because he is mad about bird watching. Going on the trip meant a really early start to the day, I had to be up at 5.30 to be at the pickup point for 6.15, very early, but was fantastic to watch and listen to the wildlife at an early time of the day.

A lot of good species seen, including, Dunlin, Curlew, Oystercatchers, Honey Buzzard (another 1st for me, sadly I didn't take any photographs because it was to far away, and also there was sun glare, so it wouldn't have been good anyway), Reed Warblers, and Wheatear.

Wheatear:

Bee Orchid:

Curlew:

Norfolk birding holiday - 6th June (final day)

2008-06-23T21:17:00.004+01:00

Well this was the final day, and it was not a very nice day at all, there was quite a strong horizontal wind, with rain as well. Yet I wasn't going to let this stop me going to Titchwell RSPB on the way home.

Not a lot of wading birds there, but there didn't seem to have been anywhere in Norfolk, very strange, I wonder why. Plenty of calling Sedge, and Reed Warblers, the odd Cettis Warbler, and a lot of Reed Buntings. I did see plenty of Avocet and Black Headed Gull families. Avocet chicks are so sweet. I did manage to witness the change over on one of the Avocet nests which was nice.

I did manage to see Bearded Tits, from a very far distance, but I did see some.

Bearded Tit:

Seeing the Avocets, and Bearded Tits made me very happy, as they are two of my favourite birds.

So what a fantastic couple of days in Norfolk. Highlights had to have been seeing Bill and Kate, the Bittern "booming", seeing the Nightjars, and the Elephant Hawk Moth. When I saw the moth trap, it inspired me to study moths in a lot more detail than I am doing at the moment, so guess what I have..........yes, you guessed right.........a moth trap!

Norfolk birding holiday - 5th June

2008-06-23T19:34:00.019+01:00

Up very early this morning, it was going to be a hectic day, yet I had the feeling it would be a fantastic day. I was off to Pensthorpe Nature reserve at Fakenham, the host of Springwatch, and where it was being filmed from. I admit the prospect of seeing Kate Humble and Bill Oddie, made me eager to go. I arrived and saw the film crew having a meeting, there were miles and miles worth of cables, all over the reserve, a good start to the day to see all the goings on of the production team. When you visit places where there is a large scale filming operation involved you really do appreciate how much work goes into producing the program......believe me it is an awful lot.

I spent a lot of time photographing the foreign birds and the birds which are involved with the captive breeding programme. I went back to the car for lunch, and went back to cover the other half of the reserve, which I had not yet had chance to explore. On the way round, guess who I saw.....yes, Bill Oddie, I was so happy. I carried on walking and then saw Kate Humble, I have to say I was very shocked, I never thought I would see them. I was lucky enough to watch them filming as well, and having a joke with the producers, and film makers. The way I was going round the reserve, they went, they stopped at a location to observe a filming sight, and there was a lot of discussion over it. Bill Oddies manager gave me a two signed postcards one from Bill the other from Kate. I never got to see Simon King, but that was because he was in Scotland, in the Cairngorm mountains filming Wild Cats, and Pine Martins.... so lucky, I wish I had his job. Simon King is a wildlife camera man, he travels around, studying nature, being out in the glorious natural world, being out in all weathers and studying how the wildlife copes with weather changes. I would love his job, it would be great, filming the wildlife, brave all weathers, it would be my idea of absolute heaven.

I have been lucky to see Simon King. I entered a competition 2 years back, the prize was to go to the Birdwatching Fair at Rutland Water, and go for a walk with Simon and to have lunch with him. When I arrived I was very shocked to finally meet him, I was almost in tears. Little did I realise until I got there that I had also won a pair of Zeiss binoculars, which he presented to me. He was such a nice man, and such an inspiration, I learnt such a lot from him. It was the best day of my life, and one I will never ever forget. I was happy to win the binoculars, but seeing and meeting Simon King, was the absolute highlight.

Throughout the day at Pensthorpe I seemed to attract the local geese, they wouldn't leave me alone, they were constantly following me, I don't know what it was that I had that attracted them, but something surely did.

There are so many photographs, I will name them all, the first lot of photographs will be of the foreign birds.

Red Brested Goose:

White Stork:

Peacock:

Bald Ibis:

Black Winged Stilt:

Black Stork:

Marabou Stork:

Male Smew:
(the Smew is a winter visitor to the UK, but I am not classing it as a wild species, as it is captive bred here)

Now for the native British species that can leave the reserve whenever they want.

Deer:

Banded Demoiselle:

Common Blue Damselfly:

Juvenile Coot:

Mallards:

(family)

(Juvenile)

Greylag Goose family:

Barnacle Goose:

What a fantastic day, the highlight had to be seeing Bill Oddie and Kate Humble. I know a lot of people find Bill Oddie annoying, but he is very passionate about wildlife and the environment, and he has helped so many young people to become interested in wildlife, which is great. We are the people who hopefully in the future will be able to help. The more young people that become interested the better, Bill Oddie has helped do this, give credit to him.

Norfolk birding holiday - 4th June

2008-06-22T19:38:00.007+01:00

At 9.00 in the morning I was walking down East Bank (east of Cley NWT) enjoying the lovely weather, and listening to the frantic calls of the Reed and Sedge Warblers. Marsh Harriers were exchanging food in mid air, with what is known as "sky dancing" it was a magnificant sight, and one I will remember for the rest of my life. So many birds, added to the brilliant start to the holiday, with a flock of Black Tailed Godwits flying over head, a Ringed Plover feeding and Avocets (one of my favourite birds) sweeping their bills from side to side to disturb the prey.

I briefly heard a noise which sounded like someone blowing over a milk bottle, I didn't think anything of it to start with. A few minutes later I heard it again, this time I paid more attention to the sound, it then occured to me that it was a Bittern booming. I was so thrilled, I had never in my entire bird watching years heard a Bittern "booming" and it made my day, I was shocked to have heard it, and felt privileged, as a lot of people I had spoken to so far in Norfolk had not heard the Bittern "booming". I never managed to see the Bittern (I have seen them before), yet I was happy enough to have heard it.

Reed Warbler:

Later on that morning I went to Salthouse Heath for a little while. I got good views of a Grey Heron, and of Marsh Harriers.

Grey Heron:

I took the opportunity while I was by grassland to study the insect life. I managed to see a Scorpion Fly, a Yellow Tailed Moth Caterpillar, and a Blue-Tailed Damselfly.

Yellow Tailed Moth Caterpillar:

Blue-Tailed Damselfly:
(This is a teneral female- newly emerged)

On the way back to the campsite, I saw plenty of Barn Swallows and House Martins. To me when I see Swallows, Martins or Swifts, I always think Spring is here.

Barn Swallow:

Off to Cley Nature Reserve in the afternoon. Hear I heard the Bittern "booming" again. There were a lot of Black Tailed Godwits, Shelduck and Gadwall. There were very few Waders, a lot of people agreed with this, know one seems to know why.

Gadwall:
(Female with chick)

Back to the campsite for something to eat. The campsite seemed to be invaded by rabbits, and Wood Pigeons.

Rabbit:

Wood Pigeons:

Later that evening I went back to Cley NWT, were I saw a Lapwing chick, which I saw earlier. One of the parents was keeping a very close eye on it, especially with a family of Redshank near by. Both the Redshank family and Lapwing family felt threatened by one another, even though they posed very little threat. They have to be protective though with predators around.

Lapwing:

My dad got talking to someone who said there was a Nightjar Walk at Kelling Heath, by this time it was 20.00, and the walk began at 20.30, it was a reasonable drive from where we were. On the way back to the car I saw a Barn Owl hunting, it was very close. It did manage to catch something, which was fantastic to see.

Barn Owl:
(sadly very far away by the time I got my camera onto it)

The walk was excellent, we were led by a very experienced guide, who was very, very knowledgeable. I managed to see quite a few Nightjars, and heard a lot of them "churring" and clapping their wings together. The Nightjar was a first for me. After the walk there was a Moth trap set up, the same group that went on the Nightjar walk came and looked at the Moth trap. A lot of people left. There was nothing exciting to begin with. We waited, yet I was getting very tired, so we said out farewells, and began walking back to the car, when someone shouted "there's an Elephant Hawk Moth", I had to go back and see this. What a beautiful moth it was, one I had wanted to see for years, I saw a caterpillar last year at my families allotment, yet never thought I would see the actual moth. A fantastic way to end off the first day.

Norfolk birding holiday

2008-06-22T19:28:00.005+01:00

About a month back I went on holiday to Weybourne, north Norfolk to go bird watching for a few days. I bet you are wondering why I am posting it now aren't you? Well.....I came back home with over 450 photographs, which is an awful lot, due to only staying in Norfolk from the 3rd of June to the 6th of June, I bet you can see now why it has taken me a long time to sort out my photographs, due to the amount.

I will do each day separately because each day was that action packed it would be very difficult to put it all in one entry. I will begin with the 4th June, because, although I arrived in Norfolk on the 3rd, I didn't go bird watching that day.

Rutland Water

2008-06-10T17:10:00.008+01:00

A couple of weeks back I went to Rutland Water to go and have a look at the breeding pair of Ospreys, and what a fantastic day it was. My dad told me when I was a lot younger, and wasn't really into birdwatching as much as I am now, I saw one. As I am now a very keen birdwatcher it would mean a lot more for me to see this fantastic bird.

I arrived at the Egleton side of the reservoir and had only been there for about 15 minutes when the first Osprey flew over, it was very far away, but it was an Osprey. I stayed at the Egleton side for about 3 hours, and in that time I saw 3 species of birds that I had never seen before; Hobby, Cuckoo, and Black tern.

Unfortunately the Cuckoo was quite far away, and the light was in the wrong place, so it is only a silhouette.

Reed Bunting:

It was then off to the Lynton Side of the reservoir for the afternoon, this is where I would hopefully have the best views of Ospreys. This is the area of the reservoir, where the nests are, and where they are therefore breeding. A few moments after arriving at the viewing hide I was already having fantastic views of Sedge and Reed Warblers.

Reed Warbler:

Sedge Warbler:

I saw the pair of Ospreys on the nest, and was thrilled, but the best was yet to come. I waited for over an hour. Finally the moment came when the male Osprey left the nest and went hunting. It caught a fish, which it then took back to the nest, and shared with the female. I was so overwhelmed and privileged to have witnessed this extraordinary event. I managed to photograph it, which was a real bonus. The eggs have not yet hatched, and until they do, only the male hunts while the female incubates the eggs. The male only usually hunts once a day, as there are only two mouths to feed, yet when the chicks hatch this becomes a lot more frequent.

Male Osprey hunting:

Osprey perching:

When leaving the Lynton side a few hours later, I went a bit further around Rutland Water, where I heard a Nightingale calling, sadly I didn't see it, it would have been nice, and it would have been a first for me, but you can't expect to win them all. I also saw a pair of Egyptian Geese.

Egyptian Goose:

Whales

2008-05-26T18:56:00.002+01:00

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/iceland-whaling008.html

Read this - it explains everything. I can't bare to explain, it is far to upsetting.

Springwatch begins tonight

2008-05-26T17:19:00.004+01:00

Finally, I have been waiting a long time for this, Springwatch begins tonight. I am really excited. Simon King will be at Strathspey in Scotland, Kate Humble and Bill Oddie will be at a new location, instead of Devon, they will be in North Norfolk at Pensthorpe.

http://www.pensthorpe.com/
This website leads you to Pensthorpe Nature Reserve, with details of what is there, maps etc.

Here is the link to the Springwatch website, now fully complete, with webcams and everything.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/springwatch/

What are your views on Springwatch?

Wild China

2008-05-13T19:18:00.002+01:00

Have a look at the link enclosed it contains a lot of information about the program Wild China, which began on Wednesday including videos etc. Such a fantastic program with a lot of interesting facts.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/tvradio/programmes/wildchina/

Swan differences

2008-04-26T19:27:00.002+01:00

I began drawing a general outline of a swan, which ended up as this,

It then gave me the idea of producing a resource for remembering all the different Swans, which led to this.

I hope it is useful to you.

Osprey Project

2008-04-26T13:26:00.003+01:00

I would like to thank my Geography teacher for this Osprey link, it is fantastic.

I would like to promote her website -
http://www.geogtastic.blogspot.com/ (another fantastic blog).

This is the link to the Osprey website:
http://www.ospreywatch.co.uk/
There is also a webcam on there, it's fantastic.

I would just like to apologise for those of you who left comments on this blog post before. I edited it, and then the computer went down, so I lost the post. Luckily I managed to retrieve it from drafts, yet not finished. So I have had to change bits of it. I am very sorry. Please feel free to post your comment again.

Norfolk holiday

2008-04-26T12:58:00.006+01:00

About 2 weeks back, I went on holiday with my dad camping for a couple of days in Weybourne, north Norfolk. It was fantastic, because the weather was great. Over the couple of days I spent most of my time at a Norfolks Wildlife Trust reserve called Cley. I also went to Blakeney Point on a boat trip.

I have had to sort out my photographs (over 500), which is why I am posting this now.

I decided to make a few targets for myself before I went. I wanted to get a photograph of a Marsh Harrier in flight, and to also see them hunt. Marsh Harriers are such magnificant looking birds. I knew it would be a hard task to photograph them in flight, but I was prepared to give it a go. Watching them hunt would be easy if I knew the birds hunting grounds, and this would involve me studying them.

Here is where I went and what I did over the couple of days:

9th April

Arrived in Norfolk mid morning. The first stop was Blakeney Point to check out the boat times for the seal trip. I saw a Yellowhammer going into Blakeney, that was a first for this year. There is a wildlife pond at Blakeney with exotic bird species, here are photographs of some of them:

Mandarin Duck:

Carolina Wood Duck:

Unknown (could be a hybrid):

After spending an hour or so in Blakeney we went and put the tent up and then went to Cley NWT in the afternoon and to East Bank (East of Cley NWT), where we saw plenty of Marsh Harriers, Greylag Geese, Redshank, and Avocets.

Avocets at East Bank:

At night, the campite was surrounded by calling Tawny Owls.

10th April

At 5.00am the dawn chorus began, what a wonderful way to start off the day. We arrived at Cley NWT with a day permit at about 8.00am. The weather was wonderful and a great way to start off the morning. At Cley there were Black Tailed Godwits, Marsh Harriers, Redshank and a lot more.

Black Tailed Godwit silhouettes

( a rather interesting compostition)

On the way back to the car from the hides, there was a faint rustling in the reeds, when I checked it out, it was a Bearded Tit, it must have only been about a meter away from me. That made me happy. Then by the car there was a Dunnock singing.

Dunnock:

We left Cley late morning, to go on the boat trip along Blakeney Point to see the seals. When the boat set off, there were 2 Turnstone, on a boat, looking great in the breeding plumage. When the boat was almost at the end of the spit, there must have been over 200 Sandwich Terns, and they all flew up and circled above the boat, then landed back on land. A fantastic experience.

Seals are known for being curious, and this is definitely true, as they came very close to the boat. The noise they make is extraordinary, when you hear them you can see why people on boats at night think they are being haunted, because it is such a mysterious sound they make.

Sandwich Terns:

If you look closely at this picture, you can see some of the birds courting, e.g. in the centre of the photograph.

Seals:

The boat dropped everyone off near the end of the spit so we could go and explore. It was great to go and see a spit for myself, because I had only ever seen them in text books in lessons at school. While I went to explore, about 10 Brent Geese flew over head calling.

Boat trip used:

http://www.beansboattrips.co.uk/

After leaving Blakeney it was back to Cley village to a place called Cley Eye (west of Cley NWT), where there had been sightings of a Lapland Bunting, I had been a few times to try and see it, but failed everytime. This time, I was in look, I was on the way back to the car, after waiting a while, and on the way back, there it was. It was the highlight of the day so far. I had never seen a Lapland Bunting before, I had only ever seen them in books. Seeing the Lapland Bunting was a first for me.

While I was photographing the Lapland Bunting, along came a flock of Linnets, and a male Wheatear, I also managed to photograph these as well.

Lapland Bunting:

Male Wheatear:

Linnet:

On the way back to the car at Cley Eye, there was a Little Egret, which was great. It was then back to the campsite for lunch, and then back to Cley NWT, and east bank in the afternoon. At Cley NWT I managed to see a Cettis Warbler, I had seen one before, but the view was not as good as it was this time. Every time it called, I would locate it briefly, then it would stop, I would walk away thinking it had gone, and then it would call again. It did this about 4 times, I was sure it was doing it deliberately. This occured the last time I saw a Cettis Warbler, I waited about 2 hours, every time going away thinking it would never re-appear and then it would call again. It can be very annoying.

Mute Swan at east bank:

In the evening I thought it would be the icing on the cake if I managed to see a Barn Owl before I went home. So me and my dad went to Cley NWT and had a look there, as the saltmarsh has a good source of food for the Owls, yet there was nothing. There was a fantastic sunset though making it a really lovely evening especially with the Marsh Harriers hunting all around me. Norfolk is known for its superb sunsets, I was lucky enough to witness a fantastic one.

Just when I had given up looking there it was........ a Barn Owl, on the way back to the campsite on an information sign at East Bank. So a fantastic day.

11th April

An early start to the day - 7.00am. The tent was packed away and off we went to Titchwell RSPB reserve. On the way we stopped at Cley, where the Marsh Harriers were hunting again. I managed to get deep into the heart of the reed beds, and I waited. In the space of about 5 minutes, one flew by searching for food. I took this opportunity, and took a lot of photographs. I finally achieved my task, I managed to see them hunt, and managed to photograph them in flight.

Marsh Harriers:

(silhouette)

We arrived at Titchwell at 9.45, and there was a lot of bird activity. Throughout the day we saw a lot, including Marsh Harriers, Brent Geese, Chiffchaff, Black Tailed Godwits and Bramblings. I also heard a lot of Cettis Warblers calling.

Brambling (top right):

On the way back to the visitors centre at about 1.45, the weather changed dramatically. It clouded over, and in the space of 10 minutes, it chucked it down. A great sight, how it changed so suddenly.

On the way back home, there were heavy thunderstorms, with amazing cloud formations. A fantastic way to end a great holiday.

Springwatch Website

2008-04-21T17:46:00.003+01:00

In about 1 months time, the wonderful Springwatch begins, presented by Simon King, Kate Humble, and Bill Oddie.

By looking on the Springwatch website (enclosed) you can take a look at webcams of the Barn Owls at The Lost Gardens of Heligan. You can join in with the online forums, and much much more.

This year Gordon Buchanan is not studying a specific wild animal as in previous years he is travelling all over the UK. He is asking us to take part. If your garden or local area is "weird and wonderful", he may be visiting it on his travels, and you may appear on the TV.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/animals/springwatch/index.shtml

Wollaton Hall

2008-04-07T17:15:00.005+01:00

Wollaton Hall:

After visiting the gallery, I went for a lovely walk around the house to look at the Natural History museum, which was fascinating. I then went for a walk around the lake at Wollaton, a little of the way round I heard a Green Woodpecker calling, I told my dad, I went in search for it, by tracking its call. Eventually one flew past me while calling, it was a Green Woodpecker. I was so please to have seen one because I hadn't seen one for many years.

The Green Woodpeckers call is so distinctive, it sounds like someone laughing, have a listen on the RSPBs website:

http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/g/greenwoodpecker/index.asp

At Wollaton Park there are herds of Red Deer and Fallow Deer which are allowed to roam wild. I did manage to get a few pictures, but they were taken on my dads camera, which I couldn't use very well.

Throughout the lovely walk, I heard many Green Woodpeckers, and Chiffchaffs. There were many Coots fighting and courting. On the walk I was accompanied by lovely bird song, from Robins, Blue Tits, Chiffchaffs, Blackbirds. Also on the way round were Treecreepers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers communicating through drumming to one another, and a Nuthatch calling.

I'd would recommend anyone going to Wollaton Hall and Park to have a walk around the lake, if they are in the vicinity.

Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition

2008-04-07T17:05:00.004+01:00

There's currently an exhibition at Wollaton Hall in Nottinghamshire (Wildlife Photographer of the Year), running until the 20 April 2008. It's fantastic, have a look at the website linked up with this picture, there is more information on the website.

After you've looked around the wonderful gallery at Wollaton you can have a lovely walk around the grounds.

Chiffchaff invasion

2008-04-05T16:45:00.005+01:00

It was the monthly bird walk at Ogston today, there was so much activity at the hides, I just couldn't drag myself away, to go on the walk. There was so much there, including a Redshank, Little Ringed Plover, Water Rail, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Willow Tit, and a Nuthatch. I sadly didn't get any pictures of the Water Rail or of the Redshank, which is what I wanted really, but I have previously taken some pictures before, here they are:

Water Rail, taken at Ogston:

Redshank (taken at Old Moor in the Dearne Valley):

The thing I noticed though, was the number of Chiffchaff that I heard, there must have been at least 4, just around the hides. I did manage to see one, which was nice. There seems to be a lot of Chiffchaff this year, as well as Goldfinch.

So I saw my first Chiffchaff of the year today, as well as the first Swallows, and Sand Martins of the year as well, which was great, a true sign Summer is on the way.

Ogston Reservoir

2008-03-25T13:41:00.012Z

Yesterday afternoon after going to Cromford in the morning, I went to Ogston Reservoir, to go bird watching. It was a great afternoon. Here are some of the photographs taken, and a short movie.

Common Snipe:
This snipe came to about a metre away from the front of the hide, meaning I could get some good photographs of it.

I managed to get a little bit of footage.

Blue Tit:

Willow Tit:

Great Tit:
Even though this picture is blurred due to movement, I think it works really well.

Long Tailed Tit:

Blue Tit:

Great Spotted Woodpecker:
After waiting an hour at the bird hide, the woodpecker came, yet was scared off by something falling in the near by stream, it eventually came back, this is when I got this photograph.

Rabbit:

Baby Rat:
It's so cute!

Grey Squirrel:

(I can see you!)

Cromford Canal

2008-03-24T17:16:00.014Z

I went to Cromford Canal this morning, to try again to look for the Hawfinch, yet didn't see it again. I did get a lot of photography done though, which was great. Here are some of the photographs:

Daisies:

Daffodils:

Flowering Currant:

Celandine:

Primrose:

Ivy and surroundings:

Now I'm off to Ogston to go bird watching, and maybe to do some more photography.

Animal cruelty

2008-03-23T19:45:00.004Z

I've just been looking and posting on Bird Forum, and I came across a post named as "Badger shot dead", so I checked it out, it led me to an article on the Leicestershire Mercury website. Where I was horrified to see the title: "BADGER IS SHOT DEAD IN 'APPALLING' GUN ATTACK " I managed to read the first couple of paragraphs, before not being able to read anymore, it made me feel that sick, and upset I just couldn't read anymore. I don't think any article has upset me as much as this has, I had tears in my eyes.

I don't know what I'd do if I ever met the person who did this.

I don't know how anyone could such a thing, to such an innocent animal. WHY DO IT?

How can anyone hurt this animal?:

(This isn't my photograph by the way)

Click the picture to read the article.

Bird behaviour

2008-03-23T10:34:00.006Z

Waking up to snow in the morning, is great, yet the first thing that crossed my mind was the birds in my garden, how had they coped, and had the frogspawn in my pond survived from the cold weather. The frogspawn had survived which was great news. Every morning the birds are fed in my garden, and because of the cold night it was almost as if a war broke out when the food was placed on the bird table.

Collared doves, and Starlings:

The greedy starlings:

By the way Happy Easter everyone!

Best bird watching day for years - Part 2

2008-03-22T16:48:00.006Z

I did go to Carsington, but first of all I went to Cromford, to have a look at the Hawfinch which have been seen at the church yard, yet I didn't see them. I did see some lovely looking daffodils though, so I spent about 5 minutes lying on the ground in mud, trying to get the right shot, I did get covered in mud, but it was worth it.

Carsington was great, I saw some great birds there as well, including a flock of Barnacle Geese which was nice. The snow was an extra bonus, I love being out in the snow, it's great.

Here are some of the birds I saw today at Carsington Waters:

Goldeneye:

Little Grebe:

So an amazing day, it's the best bird watching day I've had for years that's for sure, I think seeing the Waxwing this morning though was the highlight of my day.

Best bird watching day for years - Part 1

2008-03-22T11:45:00.007Z

For many years now I have wanted to see a Waxwing, but had never seen one. Someone told me there was one just North of Chesterfield, so yesterday around midday I went and had a look and had no joy. It occured to me, morning may be a good time to go and see them because of it being a cold night, so I was out the house by 7.30 this morning to be at Chesterfield by 8.00. Eventually I saw one, I was over the moon, I managed to get only a few metres away from it and I got some great photographs of it.

Waxwing:

About an hour later I went to Lenacre Reservoir (just up the road), where I saw some Whooper Swans, 5 goosanders (1 male and 4 female) and I also heard a woodpecker drumming, yet sadly I didn't see it.

Whooper Swans

Goosander

So a very successful start to the day, now I'm off to Carsington Waters, for a walk, and to do some more bird watching and wildlife photography. I just can't live without it.

28 bird species seen and heard today

2008-03-09T18:47:00.008Z

BBC weather forecast said this morning the weather would be great, and it was. I wasn't going to miss the opportunity to get some good photographs, so out I went. I was out most of the day probably about 5 hours, photographing and filming wildlife at my local bird club. I came back with some good photographs, and some great footage on my camcorder. The footage needs to be edited, and when it has I'll add it to the blog.

Here's a picture from my local bird club that I took today:

As it says above I saw 28 species of birds today. Here they are:

2 Common Buzzards
13+ Herons (Heronry)
2 Long Tailed Tits
25 Canada Geese
16 Coots
2 Robins
1 Blackbird
4 Mallards (2 of which were courting, and then eventually mated, this was caught on film)
3 Moorhen
6 Great Tits
4 Chaffinch
6 Blue Tits
1 Common Snipe
5 Lapwings
2 Wrens
2 Magpies
1 Cormorant
1 Teal
1 Oystercatcher
1 Chiffchaff (Heard. The first chiffchaff I've heard this year)
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Great Crested Grebe
2 Willow Tits
2 Dunnock
8 Greenfinch
1 Domestic Goose (this may not officially count because it's domestic but i've counted it anyway)
2 Woodpigeon
2 Jackdaws

I saw my first wasp of the year today. I'm sure it's far to early for them - Global warming.

Awful weather conditions

2008-03-09T15:56:00.003Z

Yesterday afternoon, I went to my local bird club for a couple of hours, the weather was awful, but if you're interested in the environment, you have to brave these weather conditions. I saw a lot of interesting birds.
Here's what I saw:

6 Teal
4 Coots
5 Moorhen
4 Chaffinch
25+ Lapwings
4 Tufted Ducks
50+ Black Headed Gulls
3 Common Snipe
1 Long Tailed Tit
2 House Sparrows
4+ Great Tits
5+ Blue Tits
1 Wren

Whale hunting petition

2008-03-07T18:54:00.003Z

Please sign this petition.
Whales are being slaughtered, in the Faroe Islands. They're being driven into harbours where they're stabbed with harpoons, so they die a slow and painful death.
I have already got a lot of people to sign it already from my school, you can help.
If you do sign it let me know.
Thanks
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Pilot-whales/

Treecreepers

2008-03-05T16:02:00.008Z

Today at school, on the way to my Geography lesson, I saw two birds, one chasing the other, I walked over to where they landed, and one flew away. Someone said something to me, I turned around and there was a teacher standing right behind me, asking me what I was doing, I said "I'm observing a bird". I didn't half get a strange look. When I say I'm a birdwatcher, some people think I'm really strange, and some people treat me differently from everyone else, because I'm a birdwatcher and I'm extremely passionate about the the environment. I don't like it.
Anyway after the teacher went, I continued observing the bird, which I couldn't get a clear view of because it was in the ivy, it eventually emerged, it was a treecreeper, I was very happy because I hadn't seen one for a while. It was odviously searching for a nest site, which is why it had a rival.
I got to about a metre of it, and thought, if I had my camera and a tripod, I could have got some fantastic photos, and some amazing close ups. Yet of course I didn't have my camera because I was at school, I wouldn't have taken it anyway even if it mean't some amazing photographs, because a camera is a very important piece of kit I wouldn't trust people if I had it at school.
What a great day, other than getting some strange looks from people.

Council - hedge cutting

2008-03-03T16:58:00.003Z

Yesterday the local council were trimming the hedges around my village. They odviously don't care about the environment in the very slighest, either that or they are incredibly stupid (which is quite likely), because what they don't seem to realise is that this is the time of year when birds begin finding a mate, and build a nest. House sparrows nest in some of these hedges, and use them as protection, without them, they'll have to find other places, making it more stressful. Hedges should be trimmed late in the year, not now!

Peregrine Falcons - Derby Cathedral

2008-03-02T16:21:00.007Z

The project to help the Peregrines has been organised by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, Derby Cathedral and Derby City Council's Museum Service.
There's a live webcam on Derby Cathedral so you can watch the chicks grow up when they are born and then if you're lucky watch them fledge.

http://195.224.106.202/peregrine/webcam.htm

Last year I went a few times to Derby to have a look at the Peregrines (I had never seen them before). The first time I went I saw the parents, and the 2 young they raised in the ready built nest. The second time I went one of the young had fledged, yet only to the front of the Cathedral yet was quite close, the other stayed at the nest site. I did get some reasonably good pictures, not fantastic pictures I admit.

This picture was of the juvenile at the front of the Cathedral.

Here is the other juvenile which is still at the nest site.

Ogston Bird Club monthly bird walk

2008-03-01T16:24:00.002Z

Today was the monthly bird walk at Ogston Bird Club (my local bird club). Even though it was raining and there was a very strong wind, it doesn't bother me in the slightest, I’ll go out in all weathers, it's what you have to prepare yourself for if your interested in the environment. You have to get out in it, to appreciate it all.
The bird walk occurs the first Saturday of every month, from 9.30 to around 12.00, it does mean getting up early, but it's well worth it. I saw some great birds today, and found out some interesting information from people I know there.
Here's the list of species I saw:

2 Great Crested Grebes, which were courting, which was great because I had never seen it before.
Heronry – consisting of 20 herons. Which I had also never seen before.
12+ Canada Geese
15+ Teal
2 Mallard
1 Stonechat
1 Buzzard
6+ Coots
25+ Lapwings
2 Nuthatch
1 Willow Tit
5+ Common Gulls
10+ Black Headed Gulls
1 Woodpigeon
2 Blackbirds
1 Wren
2 Robin
2 Redwing
2 Mistle Thrush
2 Long Tailed Tits
2 Blue Tits
3 Great Tits
7 Starlings
5+ Chaffinch
2 female Greenfinch
1 Kestrel

How many countries can you name in five minutes?

2008-02-26T18:24:00.017Z

That's the question, have a go and let me know what you got. Good luck!

Just click on the picture below, it'll take you to the site.

So far my highest score is 106.

Otters including the recent sighting in Wales

2008-02-25T19:17:00.007Z

Over the last few decades otters were in decline because of pesticides and habitat loss, but over the last few years the numbers have steadlily increased in the UK.

An otter has recently been discovered in a nature reserve in Denbighshire in North Wales. The sightings have been at the River Clwyd where it has been feeding. Conservations are hoping to set up a holt for the otter, hoping it will take up permanent residence.

Otters are also taking up residence in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. There's a great breeding population of otters on the Shetland Islands, and on the Isle of Mull in Scotland.

I've been lucky enough to see wild otters before, on the Isle Of Mull, at a place called Salen, on the eastern side of the island. It was an amazing experience seeing them catching fish, and feeding the young, and something i'll never forget, they're such magnificent creatures.

It's great to know otters are on the increase.

Mistle Thrush and Song Thrush differences in flight

2008-02-24T15:31:00.007Z

I did promise you I would show you the difference between the Mistle Thrush and Song Thrush in flight, so here it is. I didn't have a clear example I could take and adapt from a book, so I ended up having to draw them myself. Surprisingly this took me 3 hours to draw, it's not a great drawing, but you can tell them apart by the colours.

If you saw a thrush you probably would be able to tell the difference from this. I know i would.
I hope it's useful to you.

Lincolnshire nature reserves

2008-02-23T07:30:00.007Z

Last week (Monday-Thursday) I went on holiday for a couple of days to Sandilands near Sutton On Sea in Lincolnshire with my family, it was a great couples of days regarding bird watching, yet not so good regarding wildlife photography. There was a lot of fog, making it awful to take photographs, yet there was a flock of birds I had never photographed before, and they're a winter visitor to the UK, I didn't want to miss the oppurtunity.

Do you know what they are?

They're brent geese. These pictures were taken at Freiston Shore, there must have been over 600 birds altogether. One minute they were all in the marshland feeding, the next they were flying right over the hide I was in. Such a fantastic sight.

So we went to Freiston Shore, we also went to Gibraltar Point, the other nature reserve we went to was Donna Nook, which is partly used by the RAF for bomding target practice. I didn't see a single bird at Donna Nook. To really be honest I didn't like Donna nook at all, it was quite disconcerting with red flags flying warning you bombing could be happening.

Here is a list of all the birds seen on my holiday

Common Snipe
Shelduck
Little Grebe
Magpie
Mallards
Moorhen
Coots
Blue Tits
Blackbirds
Shoveler
Teal
Curlew
Pheasant
Gadwall
Brent Geese (600+)
Redshank
Kingfisher
Goldfinch
House Sparrow
Wigeon
Starlings
Wren
Little Egret
Canada Geese
Goldeneye
Lapwings
Golden Plover (500+)
Pintail
Black Headed Gulls
Mistle Thrush

Panamanian golden frogs removed from the wild

2008-02-22T12:46:00.007Z

A fungus called chytrid, has caused a dramatic decline in a lot of amphibian species in North America, Central America, South America and Eastern Australia. The fungus can not be controlled very easily, meaning the fungus is still spreading. One amphibian species with the disease is the golden frog.

Golden Frogs live in the Panamanian rainforest in Central America, bordering Costa Rica and Colombia. Shortly after the BBC One series Life In Cold Blood had been filmed the golden frogs had to be taken from the wild and put into captivity to avoid the species catching the disease which could result in it becoming extinct.

Until there is a chance of the disease dying away the frogs will be kept in captivity, where hopefully they will breed (increasing the numbers), and then hopefully released back into the wild, if the disease eventually dies away from the area.

Barn Owl Webcam

2008-02-15T16:37:00.010Z

The Barn Owl Trust has a great website, have a look, there's owl identification and calls of all the UK owl species.
I really like owls, especially barn owls, they're such magical and magnificant birds. There's a webcam on the Owl Trust website, have a look, the link is enclosed.

Here's a screen shot taken a while ago.

http://www.thewebbroadcastingcorporation.com/barnowlcam.html

Barn Owl

2008-02-12T17:21:00.000Z

I've had a great day today, on the way to school this morning, I saw a barn owl, only a couple of meters away from the car, the closest i've ever seen one. I once saw one at Cley next the sea in Norfolk, but in flight and quite far away. Such a great way to start off the day. I thought it was a little strange that it was so close to the roadside and in the morning, I wouldn't have said it was a great place for owls to be hunting.

If only I had my camera, I would have got some amazing shots, possibly with it hunting as well, but i didn't have my camera, and I had to get to school otherwise I would have been late.

Then in my Geography lesson I saw a flock of goldfinch out the window, and after school a song thrush singing, which was really lovely to listen to, such a lovely song and a great way to end the day.

So a great day, i've seen some great birds, here they are:

Song thrush
Goldfinch
Barn owl
Blue tits
Blackbirds
Chaffinch

Chinese River Dolphin - Extinct!!!!

2008-02-08T21:40:00.002Z

Heard some shocking news today. In my Geography lesson we were studying the Three Gorges Dam in China, and the environmental impacts of it. Mentioned was the extinction of the Chinese River Dolphin which lived in the longest and most polluted river in China, the Yangtze. I have to say if no one was in the room with me, I probably would have been very upset, but I didn't really want to embarrass myself infront of the class really did I?. It's said that even if there are a few river dolphins left (which is very unlikely), they'll have no chance of survival because of the impact of The Three Gorges Dam, which has polluted the river. These dolphins have been on the verge of extinction for years. The Chinese River Dolphin dates back over 20 million years, and now it no longer exists, which is very upsetting, such an innocent creature has gone.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/12/061214-dolphin-extinct.html