Filmed this on one of our stealth cams last night. Any ideas what is going on here?
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Really pleased to see and hear a drumming lesser spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos minor) during our newt survey this morning.
I had a break-down of the nest-box camera but have now replaced with a new hi-res colour camera (B+W after dark of course). Having been unable to see in to the box for a few days, I am pleased to see the resident bird is still there, but only roosting still so far. Has been quite cold recently I guess. Still displaying outside, so fingers crossed...
I have set-up a telescope on the red kite nest and have seen both birds making regular visits with nesting material as well as sitting within what is now a fairly substantial platform. I can also see what looks like some sheep's wool and strands of something else; possibly a plastic carrier bag, within the nest structure. This species is known to decorate it's nest, with a variety of objects being found in monitored nests. I will watch out for anything else odd (as well as keeping an eye on my washing!). We have a camera installed in a nest box outside our Whitchurch office, so will update with progress throughout the spring. So far there is a resident blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) using the box for overnight roosting (see below), but also seen displaying outside so fingers crossed...
We are lucky to have a pair of red kites (Milvus milvus) nesting in view of the office window. I have been watching these birds for a few weeks and noted signs of territorial behaviour. Today both birds were bringing sticks and small branches to a fork in a poplar tree so have now selected the nest site. I will keep an eye and post any observations as things progress.
Warm weather today brought a few butterflies out of hibernation. Three species sighted near our Whitchurch office; brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni), red admiral (Vanessa atalanta) and comma (Polygonia c-album).
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NoticeboardWe will use this page to post updates on what we have been up to and anything else that we find interesting as the season progresses. Hope some of it will interest you too. ArchivesCategories |