There are plenty of indicators of the changing seasons in nature. I've been trying to ignore the signs that summer could being coming to an end for this year, however I have found that can ignore it no longer.
The flock of very noisy geese which flew straight over our house this evening are clear evidence that autumn is well and truly on the way, whether I like it or not. Although I haven't managed to get a clear look at them yet, they are most likely brent geese and they have been gathering in the nearby fields for a couple of days now. Usually they settle on Blue House Farm over the river where they stay to graze over the winter.
I do enjoy seeing them every year, especially as I've spotted a few brent-Canada goose hybrids in the past, I'll try and get some pictures if I see them in better light and see if I can find any this year.
Wednesday 3 September 2014
Sunday 31 August 2014
Sunday Morning Hike
What better way is there to make the most of the last nice days of summer than to go for a hike? This morning we set off across the fields which have all been harvested or cut for straw and look ready for autumn. I have read about a "bumper" early crop of wild berries in the UK caused by the warm summer (http://ind.pn/1lEE0ZD) and this certainly seemed to be true of the blackberries, sloe berries and elderberries which had already started emerging in patches all along our route, many of which were already ripe.This is good news for the farmland bird species in the area.
We also passed this pond which got me wondering about great crested newts in the area. I'm not sure how many other bodies of water there are in the immediate area (certainly none big enough to appear on google maps), however I have seen from past surveys that even small bodies of water can support surprisingly large numbers of newts depending on other factors in the habitat.
After admiring the view across the fields and spotting a kestrel flying overhead, we treating ourselves to breakfast at a nearby cafe...its always nice to have something to look forward to at the end of a long walk!
We also passed this pond which got me wondering about great crested newts in the area. I'm not sure how many other bodies of water there are in the immediate area (certainly none big enough to appear on google maps), however I have seen from past surveys that even small bodies of water can support surprisingly large numbers of newts depending on other factors in the habitat.
After admiring the view across the fields and spotting a kestrel flying overhead, we treating ourselves to breakfast at a nearby cafe...its always nice to have something to look forward to at the end of a long walk!
Tuesday 26 August 2014
A Surprising Visitor
Living in a rural area brings many rewards for a conservationist, until moving to South
Fambridge I had never heard the sound of a cuckoo in its natural habitat or questioned the
ethics of development versus preservation of habitat. This is something now that is firmly in
the forefront of my mind and thankfully something that I appreciate on a daily basis.
On a warm day sunny day in July I was fortunate to see this little creature basking in the
warmth on the dark background of my mums washing bin sitting in the doorway. A fantastic
example of where two worlds meet.
I have seen common lizards down by the river which is very close to my house and where
there is an abundance of long vegetation and open patches in which they can bask but
having one in my garden is a first for me! Of course the question I asked is which route did
it travel to get there, along the short road leading from the river or across the arable fields?
For those who may be wondering why its tail seems too short and dark, common lizards
(as well as many other species) have the amazing ability to drop their tails if trapped or
startled by a potential threat such as a predator. They often grow back much shorter and
sometimes darker than the original tail.
This is an interesting aspect of this lizard and I would be keen to see the condition of others as there has been a large area of scrubland cut recently for, which appears to be change of use to residential garden which may account for the migration into a domestic garden. There has also been some activity of a proposed car breakers yard in very close proximity to the river within a site which has been empty and unused for more than twenty years and of course this potential disturbance may have some bearing on this. This is one factor that has caused a great deal of concern to local residents and users of the river and has been well documented during the Planning process.
Fambridge I had never heard the sound of a cuckoo in its natural habitat or questioned the
ethics of development versus preservation of habitat. This is something now that is firmly in
the forefront of my mind and thankfully something that I appreciate on a daily basis.
On a warm day sunny day in July I was fortunate to see this little creature basking in the
warmth on the dark background of my mums washing bin sitting in the doorway. A fantastic
example of where two worlds meet.
I have seen common lizards down by the river which is very close to my house and where
there is an abundance of long vegetation and open patches in which they can bask but
having one in my garden is a first for me! Of course the question I asked is which route did
it travel to get there, along the short road leading from the river or across the arable fields?
For those who may be wondering why its tail seems too short and dark, common lizards
(as well as many other species) have the amazing ability to drop their tails if trapped or
startled by a potential threat such as a predator. They often grow back much shorter and
sometimes darker than the original tail.
This is an interesting aspect of this lizard and I would be keen to see the condition of others as there has been a large area of scrubland cut recently for, which appears to be change of use to residential garden which may account for the migration into a domestic garden. There has also been some activity of a proposed car breakers yard in very close proximity to the river within a site which has been empty and unused for more than twenty years and of course this potential disturbance may have some bearing on this. This is one factor that has caused a great deal of concern to local residents and users of the river and has been well documented during the Planning process.
Monday 25 August 2014
Trip to Wales
Wales is a beautiful country. Its not particularly exciting or tropical, the weather is usually miserable and driving up the very steep and narrow country lanes can be pretty dangerous at best, but it is beautiful. I was lucky enough to spend the last four days in the South of Wales, visiting a friend from university at his farm house situated one of the hillsides which forms the vast valley in which sits the little town of Ystradgynlais.
I have visited both Wales and Scotland and I think they appeal to me because of the ruggedness and varied nature of the landscape. Its a stark contrast to the flat and comparatively built up location which I am used to at home and its a welcome change of scenery. Not that the Essex countryside doesn't have its own form of quaint beauty, especially in the summer when the crop fields are a patchwork of golds, yellows and purples. But he vast open areas and patches of forest in Wales give a small glimpse into what the rest of the English countryside may have looked like before the land was allocated for other uses and even within this landscape you can clearly see how farmland has fragmented a variety of habitats.
However even in developed areas its is possible to find unexpected wildlife. For example, another friend managed to find a fairly large, hairy caterpillar whilst queuing to buy donuts in Oakwood Theme Park. He returned, donuts in one hand and caterpillar in the other and placed it back in a tree where it would be safer.
I've returned home in time for the Welsh weather to follow me back, but I thoroughly enjoyed my long weekend in Wales and I hope to return in the near future.
Below is a picture of the view from the garden
I have visited both Wales and Scotland and I think they appeal to me because of the ruggedness and varied nature of the landscape. Its a stark contrast to the flat and comparatively built up location which I am used to at home and its a welcome change of scenery. Not that the Essex countryside doesn't have its own form of quaint beauty, especially in the summer when the crop fields are a patchwork of golds, yellows and purples. But he vast open areas and patches of forest in Wales give a small glimpse into what the rest of the English countryside may have looked like before the land was allocated for other uses and even within this landscape you can clearly see how farmland has fragmented a variety of habitats.
However even in developed areas its is possible to find unexpected wildlife. For example, another friend managed to find a fairly large, hairy caterpillar whilst queuing to buy donuts in Oakwood Theme Park. He returned, donuts in one hand and caterpillar in the other and placed it back in a tree where it would be safer.
I've returned home in time for the Welsh weather to follow me back, but I thoroughly enjoyed my long weekend in Wales and I hope to return in the near future.
Monday 28 April 2014
Egg Watching
After the excitement of Easter and the lovely extended weekend, you would have thought that egg related activities would be finished for the year...far from it! Many bird species have already finished nest building and their breeding season is well underway. This includes the very special avocet, a ground nesting bird found in coastal lagoons along the east and south coast of Britain.
In fact, the avocet has been assigned Amber Status in the UK, therefore any nesting site is extremely important for their conservation and to maintain or increase population size. One such nesting site which is particularly important in the area local to me is on the lagoon at Two Tree Island, Leigh-on-Sea. Due to past incidences of egg thieves on this site, the Essex Wildlife Trust has set up an event called the Avocet Egg Watch which invites volunteers to visit the site during allocated periods to ensure the lagoon is being watched for as long as possible 24/7 during the avocet breeding months.
Yesterday afternoon, it was my turn to conduct a watch at the lagoon and, although I did not see any avocets on this occasion, there were plenty of nesting birds to keep an eye on including black headed gulls and oyster catchers as well as other birds which were not necessarily nesting such as bar tailed godwits and Canada geese.
Last year, avocets were seen on the site but did not nest here so hopefully we may see some a little later in the breeding season. I also have additional watches to carry out in the following weeks so I'll keep the blog updated on any developments as they occur.
UPDATE 29.04.2014 - I have been informed that other volunteers have seen some avocets on the site but it is unclear as of yet whether they will breed of are just visiting to feed. More updates will follow after subsequent visits.
UPDATE 30.04.2014 - Unfortunately, due to the lack of avocets on the island (only some seem to be passing through) the egg watch has been cancelled for this year. However the dedication shown by volunteers has shown that people do care about wildlife crimes are willing to give up their time to protect our bird species which is very encouraging.
In fact, the avocet has been assigned Amber Status in the UK, therefore any nesting site is extremely important for their conservation and to maintain or increase population size. One such nesting site which is particularly important in the area local to me is on the lagoon at Two Tree Island, Leigh-on-Sea. Due to past incidences of egg thieves on this site, the Essex Wildlife Trust has set up an event called the Avocet Egg Watch which invites volunteers to visit the site during allocated periods to ensure the lagoon is being watched for as long as possible 24/7 during the avocet breeding months.
Yesterday afternoon, it was my turn to conduct a watch at the lagoon and, although I did not see any avocets on this occasion, there were plenty of nesting birds to keep an eye on including black headed gulls and oyster catchers as well as other birds which were not necessarily nesting such as bar tailed godwits and Canada geese.
Last year, avocets were seen on the site but did not nest here so hopefully we may see some a little later in the breeding season. I also have additional watches to carry out in the following weeks so I'll keep the blog updated on any developments as they occur.
Lagoon on Two tree Island which is the nesting site of many birds
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| Black headed gull on nest |
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| Oyster catchers |
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| Canada goose poking its head above the vegetation |
UPDATE 29.04.2014 - I have been informed that other volunteers have seen some avocets on the site but it is unclear as of yet whether they will breed of are just visiting to feed. More updates will follow after subsequent visits.
UPDATE 30.04.2014 - Unfortunately, due to the lack of avocets on the island (only some seem to be passing through) the egg watch has been cancelled for this year. However the dedication shown by volunteers has shown that people do care about wildlife crimes are willing to give up their time to protect our bird species which is very encouraging.
Wednesday 12 March 2014
Wallasea Island Update
I visited the Wallasea Island project yesterday to check on the progress of the site, having heard it has changed a fair bit since my last visit. It was very exciting to see the buzz of activity as I watched several trucks shuttling clay from a one point to another and you really see the planned sections of the reserve being to take shape as the different levels and walls are being built up.
More surprising still was the number of birds which were already present in the small body of water just beyond the construction work, despite all the activity and noise. I saw several swans, mallards, lapwings and a few egrets while at the site and, as the weather was turning, I assume there are typically more present in this area. It just goes to show the resilience and adaptability of wetland birds in the UK. Below I've included some pictures of the work.
More surprising still was the number of birds which were already present in the small body of water just beyond the construction work, despite all the activity and noise. I saw several swans, mallards, lapwings and a few egrets while at the site and, as the weather was turning, I assume there are typically more present in this area. It just goes to show the resilience and adaptability of wetland birds in the UK. Below I've included some pictures of the work.
Conveyor belt delivering clay from the docked boat
Clay being dropped at the collection point
View of the trucks shuttling clay along the created walls
Wednesday 4 September 2013
One misty morning
The view from my window this morning was a little surreal as a dense mist had settled over the field opposite my house. The crop has been harvested only yesterday which I think adds a 'wasteland' sort of feel to the scene.
As well as the view, I awoke this morning to the chatter of sparrows and starlings, most probably taking advantage of the newly unearthed seeds and insects.
I even saw this cheeky chappy having nap in his paddock among all the mist.
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