19th August : Latimer, Herons & Little Grebe.

I had to visit  Ley Hill earlyish in the morning, so once I'd finished there I circled round stopping at one of my favourite spots on the River Chess at Latimer. Making my way down to the river a juvenile Cormorant sat preening in a tree.

 

As I arrived at the bridge over looking Neptune Falls a Grey Heron stood motionless on the foot bridge hand rail.

While I photographed the Heron a Little Egret sneaked in unnoticed & began preening.

In the river below the falls a Little Grebe was also preening in-between bouts of  diving as it patrolled the water from the bridge to the falls, at one point even briefly running across an open area.

 

Ever present Mute Swans.

View down stream from the bridge.

Images : Copyright © Don Stone.

17th August : Chiffchaff. 

Chiffchaff made an early morning visit to the garden as it searched for insects amongst the Sweet Peas. Several Chiffchaffs did likewise last Summer at about this time, must plant more Sweet Peas next year to encourage them.

 

Images : Copyright © Don Stone.

15th August : Common Blue.

First Common Blue of the year in the garden today.

Image : Copyright © Don Stone. 

9th August : Missenden Abbey.

Spent an hour at the lake this morning, plenty of well grown young Coots on the water & one recently hatched youngster following in it's parents wake as they cruised around in search of food.

A Little Grebe played cat & mouse with me as it constantly dived along the edge of the far bank.

As I returned to the foot bridge a Grey Wagtail put in a brief appearance.

Don.

Images : Copyright © Don Stone.

In the Garden.

28th July.

A family of Wren's nearly ready to fledged the nest, which they have used for several years, being built in a disused Swallow's nest in the shed.

30th July.

A pair of House Martins fledged their first brood, while nearby another pair have just produced their second brood by the looks of the evidence below the nest. 

As I step out of the door I only just avoid treading on this Roesel's-bush Cricket.

We have a young Fox visiting the garden, which seems to have a liking for the discarded Banana skins on the compost heap.

Don.

Images : Copyright © Don Stone.

28th July : Bernwood Forest Butterflies.

Spent two hours walking a few of the forest paths this morning in the warm sunshine looking for Butterflies, wasn't disappointed with numerous Gatekeepers & Silver-washed Fritillaries on the wing, along with Brimstone, Peacock, Skippers & my first White Admiral.

Gatekeeper.

Silver-washed Fritillary.

Skipper (species unknown).

White Admiral.

Don.

Images : Copyright © Don Stone.