29th May : Toad & House Martins

The dog was making a bit of a commotion outside this morning, on going to look we found her barking at the rear of the plant container, closer inspection revealed a Toad huddled down in the fallen leaves, nice and damp behing there ideal for a Toad to hide away, unfortunately this one had been discovered. Knowing the dog wouldn't leave it alone now, I placed it in a bucket, releasing it in the safety of some long grass near the garden pond.

 

Later in the morning the House Martins were calling excitedly, buzzing a Jay as it perched on the gutter above their nests. Last year a Jay predated a couple of nests taking the chicks, so I had to employ the services of a local security guard which seem to work, so I've brought him out again this year.

As if the Jay wasn't enough of a problem a Kestrel landed on the chimney in the afternoon, he received the same treatment with about 20 House Martins seeing him off. 

Don.

Images Copyright : Don Stone.

28th May : House Martins

Last year a total of 9 pairs of House Martins bred under the eaves of our house & the adjoining property. This Spring 3 more pairs are busy collecting mud to add to that total, following all the recent rain there should be no shortage of suitable building material. 

As I had to be up early this morning at 6 o'clock, with it been raining overnight & a light drizzle still in the air, thought I would see how the House Martins were copping with the conditions. Pair at the front began build on 25th May as in the above photo, so today in the rain they have themselves a little half cup on which to shelter.

The pair at the rear only began building yesterday, only a tiny amount of mud on the wall, it doesn't appear to be sticking well at the moment, most seems to be on the sill below, so some how this House Martin is having to cling on to the brick work to stay out of the rain.

 

A short video of the House Martins sheltering during the rain.

Don.

Images & Video Copyright : Don Stone.

24th May : Goldfinch & Small White 

At this time of there are plenty of Dandelions growing in the garden, most folks hate to see them growing in their lawns, seem to think there is something wrong with their bright yellow rosettes poking up through the green desert. Everything is put on this earth for a reason, just leave a few; Butterflies & other insects feed on the flowers, followed by members of the Finch family tearing at the seed heads, we often have Bullfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch feeding on them. Goldfinches are particularly fond of them as can be seen in the photos below.

Several Small Whites are on the wing in the garden at the moment, I caught this one resting on a Woolflower.

Don.

Images Copyright : Don Stone.

17th May : Green - winger Orchid  

                                                              The Green - winged Orchid which Stewart found & identified last year has flowered again this year.

Don.

Image Copyright: Don Stone. 

13th  May : Coombe Hill

Wandered around a breezy & cloudy Coombe Hill, always a joy to be here in the week when the weekend crowds have gone. All the usual birds to be seen including; Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Whitethroat & a passing Willow Warbler. 

One thing that remains a constant are the stunning views over The Vale of Aylesbury.

Don.

Images Copyright : Don Stone.

10th - 12th May : Garden.

On the evening of the 10th a Woodcock over the garden at 9-45pm calling as it went past. 11th ; I found a couple of Hawthorn Shield Bugs on a journey of love; as the travelled a distance of about a metre in 28 minutes while joined together. A large Grass Snake slithered into the hedge. 12th 2 Grass Snakes were sheltering under a Reptile Sheet.

Hawthorn Shield Bugs copulating.

One of the garden Robins. 

This juvenile Blackbird appeared in the garden last week, still fearless at the moment, feeding within in a couple of metres.

Don.

Images Copyright : Don Stone.

9th May : Latimer 

Spent an hour this morning sat in one of my favourite spots over looking the Chess Valley at Latimer; in which time I noted the following species ; 

Swallow, House Martin, Blackcap, Blackbird, Heron, Buzzard, Kestrel, Chaffinch, Long-tailed Tit, Wren, Great Tit, Cormorant, Sparrow Hawk & Red Kite.

Don.

Image Copyright : Don Stone.

 8th May : Aston Clinton Ragpits 

I have often visited these old disused chalk pits when the Orchids have been in flower in June. Today I had to visit Tring, so called in on my way back home. Some how I managed to spend over two hours at this small reserve.

It being to early for the Orchids, I was hoping to see a few Warbler species, didn't actually see any, but did hear both Chiffchaff & Blackcap singing,  along with a Song Thrush that greeted me on arrival.

Arriving at 9-15, the grass was still damp under the shade of the trees, several Roman Snails were still active, slowly sliding through the grass, with other unidentified snail species.

Anti nibble guards are in place on the Orchids.

Several Slow worms were present.

Tawny Owl, Blackbird, Robin, Coal Tit, Wren, Blue Tit were also present, along with a singing Firecrest which I was unable to locate. Brimstone & Peacock butterflies were on the wing.

All in all an enjoyable couple of hours.

Don.

Images copyright : Don Stone.

7th May : Stoke Common

With the weather warming up nicely now seemed to be a good time for Stewart & myself to go out on a reptile wander at Stoke Common. On arriving several Marsh Frogs could be heard from the rubbish filled roadside ditch, mattresses, bags & bottles, everything was in that ditch, but the Frogs were quite content croaking away as they launched themselves from the debris into the water with a bloop. 

As we made our way across the common, numerous Whitethroats sang out from the bushes possibly 8 in total.

Water water everywhere.

Marsh Frogs continued to accompany us with their singing; though we didn't see any more, this Slow worm was the only one we found.

Stewart's sharp eye's spotted this Common Lizard warming up on a log, later we had a fleeting glimpse of another as it scurred out of the bracken & across a path.

The remains of a Long-tailed Tit nest.

Don.

Images Copyright : Don Stone.