Definitely a "Drab" Day at Beeston. 18th Mar 2012.

The day of ringing came and it fell on a day off, so I set off to get there around 08:30 knowing I had to leave earlier for Mothers Day. On nearing Beeston I was contacted by John Day to get my bum there in a hurry otherwise I would miss seeing the captured Kingfisher, so luckily for me I was 2 minutes away.

It was a busy morning too with plenty of activity from finches and the usual garden birds. It's most enjoyable listening to the finer details of plumage and ageing, whilst studying the birds at close quarters.

After a very short wait it was time to unbag the Jewel of the morning, the Kingfisher, and what beauties these birds are, absolutely stunning. It gracefully posed whilst being handled by Sue and then released as soon as possible to cause less stress, unluckily for everyone else that did not get to arrive in time, I was glad of getting up that bit earlier on this occasion.

As with this time last year the mothing turned out to be a success, although not as grand as last years tally. Here John is carefully removing the moths from the cartons, I think it was around 44 moths trapped which isn't bad considering the night before where I live, not too far away, we had heavy downpours and then a chilly night thereafter.

Most of the haul were Lead Coloured Drabs and Common Quakers, with Hebrew Characters and a few Small Quakers.

The "pink headed" Hebrew Character, below, was a vivid colour and one I don't recall seeing before.

Some moths even helped with identifying themselves by resting on the page of their own namesake....most helpful of them!.

Not just rubbish after all! Thur 15th March 2012

What a lovely day it turned out to be once the fog had cleared. I set off to Bev's lakes and wanted to set up a couple of things and do a rubbish sweep around the lake. I had a scan around the place with the bins, couldn't carry anything else, and sods law I missed a couple of new species to get a shot of. Looking around the larger lake I noticed the Redshank were back, and not one but two pairs, I noticed something sat on the scrape and moved round to get a better look, I was then able to list Golden plover with a solitary bird among the few Lapwings there. The Ringed plovers were present and the Oystercatchers were still there and one was actually on the nesting platform that was installed over the last weekend, great to see its doing its job. Also in one of the smaller nest boxes was a Black headed gull looking comfortable, promising sights for sure. Further over towards the fishing lakes I could hear a Chiffchaff which was a lovely sound sound to hear announcing the change in seasons. A flash of blue gave itself up as a Kingfisher put its name on the site list and a welcome one at that. Then to top it off, along the grass meadow adjacent to the river flew a Red kite, very low quartering the field and then over the common before slowly moving north with a crow in tow!

4 Men And A Boat. March 2012.

"Steve about set off to the island"

The time had come to help Bev with clearing the island for the breeding season. Steve Blain and I had planned to help the previous Sunday, but heavy rain put a stop to that. In total contrast this Sunday turned out to be a scorcher and so we began.

We were joined by Dave, who was to be the 'Boatman', and he made short work of reaching the island. We then set about pulling the boat from bank to bank by rope instead of rowing. This worked well and whilst Bev set about clearing the vegetation we hauled over the nesting platforms and tools.

One of Bevs dogs wanted to join him on the island, even jumping in the boat on one ocassion, but it kept itself content by attacking the rope as it was pulled back and forth. Now let it be known I do not like deep water !(seen Jaws too many times), if I cant see the bottom then I am not comfortable, and in a few places I could see the edge just drop off. So when it was my turn to join the 3 of them on the island I was none to keen in getting in the boat alone....but up stepped boatman Dave and he came across and picked me up. "Cheers Dave it was much appreciated".

Bev and Dave making up the large nesting platform. After we covered it with stones mud and sand, and it certainly looked the part.

"Looks like Steve picked up on something calling here....drop tools and pay attention!"

These smaller boxes were set up along from the main platform and hopefully will be a success.

Yours truly proving I did get on the island !. Here Im gathering the cuttings from the vegetation ready to be burnt.


"Look Fin......Shark"

Should of brought some sausages along.

With the work completed and the island looking great it was time to bring "The Captain" back to shore.

New Arrivals at "Mr Bank's". March 2012.

I had been awaiting the arrival of these Ringed plover, it was only a matter of time before they graced 'Bev's Land', and whilst watching this pair another joined them and set things a stir with its display flight. But much too fast and jinking from side to side to get a shot though.

The original pair were content on resting up when I first arrived so were probably fresh in. The Redshank were not around though, but could be somewhere close by and may return.

The Oystercatchers where still present and seemed settled enough still, so fingers crossed they stay and breed. The Green sandpiper was still roaming the lake too, and just the one present as far as I can tell.

The Skylarks and Meadow pipits were still very active, and the Pipits were in a group of around six feeding in the meadow area and adjacent lake edge. On a few occasions they would sit up on the wired off area enabling me to get some record images before they darted back off into the grass to feed.

Whilst scanning the far side of the lake I spied a Stoat bouncing through the grass before it disappeared down a rabbit hole.

A foggy start to March. 2012.

My first jaunt out for March and a foggy start to contend with. I headed off for first light (not that I was going to see it with the fog!). I sat myself up under a cammo net and waited for the skies to clear....but it never did until too late. As I sat near the shore line I could make out some waders feeding amongst the usual group of Lapwings. And one in particular stood out due to its size.

As the fog crept in and out I could see it was a Dunlin and what appeared to be the only one. It closely associated with a pair of Redshank, and moved off at times when they were disturbed. As the sun tried to break through it showed briefly slightly closer before joining the pair of Redshank as they flew off to the south. It might of returned along with the Redshank later but I was not able to stay as a visit to the vets was in order for my 'Bully'.

What was frustrating was when the pair of Shelduck ventured right in front of my position, totally oblivious to my presence and happily feeding away and too close to photograph after a couple of shots. Mind you the fog put any chance of a good pic out of the window, but good to know my fieldcraft was up to scratch.!

"Red legs and RSPB". February 2012.

The day started off grey and dull, but I still decided to put in an appearance at "Mr Bank's". First up to be seen were a pair of Redshank which was great to see, and they seemed very comfortable with the surroundings and very vocal. Alongside those were, not one like last time but, a pair of Oystercatchers. The 'Oycs' seemed very settled so fingers crossed they may stay and breed.

After a short time I decided to pop into the hide at the Lodge, in the hope of a Crossbill or Redpoll at the pool. But alas it was very quiet and after a brief rear view of a female Crossbill and a Lesser Redpoll I moved off home. I grabbed a few shots whilst there but will have to wait for the weather to change again before returning.

Plenty of Blackbirds around at the moment.

The Siskin is always a sight to see.

"I think the Squirrel was supposed to be on the outside!!!"

My Mothing Year Begins. February 2012.

After a spell of very mild weather I started to notice insects waking and becoming active. There were a few flies on the wing alongside my first Bumblebee of the year whilst at work. And my wife found this caterpillar amongst some garden waste, it is a Muslin Moth and got the yearly garden moth list off to a great start.

Hot on the heels of the Muslin moth in the garden, my night shift patrols at work, (in Hertfordshire), turned up a Chestnut moth and a favourite of mine, the Herald. I was also to find 2 Dotted Borders. Unfortunately as of writing the weather has taken a wetter and colder (actually sleeting whilst in my shed), feel so the light wont be coming out just yet.