Ingrebourne Valley saturday am 27th august 2011

This young Wheatear was in the paddock this morning before the rain.   I went to the park to look for Redstarts,  still no luck.

Nice turd isn't it.

wednesday 24th august 2011

Yellow Wagtail Ingrebourne Valley, also saw first returning Spotted Flycatcher on the path from the top paddock towards the iron bridge not far down,   flying out from the first small copse flycatching  would you believe it.

Pieds

Avocets,  some of around 13 that were feeding on the river mud Aveley Bay.

Stow Maries Airfield monday 22nd august 2011

This is turning into a great conservation area.   There is a big finch flock there already.   Russell Savory is moving on with his plan for a number of habitats.   The wild flower and thistle meadows are amazing.  While I was driving round the path a couple of whinchats arrived and a Buzzard circled overhead.   On the edge of the airfield he has some pieces of corrigated dotted about under which I found about 7 Slow Worms.  A different and comfortable place. 

Ingrebourne Valley Friday 19th august 2011

Whinchat.   Whinchat and two Wheatears in the top paddock 7.45 am,  quite a way off towards the middle, but they did appear on the fence from time to time.  Russ had a Grasshopper Warbler in the corner of the small paddock and the farmers field,  8.30am.

Wheatear

Wheatear

Ingrebourne Valley Tuesday 16th august 2011

Some Yellow Wags mainly juvs starting to move through in the paddock with a number of young pieds which didn't seem to like their company.  I keep hearing from different people that there seems to be a lack of everything this year.  No dragonflies no butterflies no birds,  or are we all imagining it.

Yellow Wagtail

Pied Wagtail

Pied Wagtail

Yellow Wagtail

Pied Wagtail

Ingrebourne Valley and Rainham Marshes 15th August 2011

3 Yellow Wagtails and a lone Whinchat in the Top Paddock this morning, plus a Yellowhammer in Berwick Glades.  What a glorious morning,  and it seemed to bring everything out.

Whinchat in the Valley

Whinchat on Rainham Marshes

Willow Warbler RSPB Rainham

Grass Snake RSPB Rainham

Bon Voyage, Ingrebourne Valley.

Hundreds of hirondelles making their way south in sporadic flocks at the moment.  Saw a Reed Warbler feeding something in the reeds,  now usually you see the young moving around in the reeds being fed,  but I didn't see any.   It makes me wonder could it be feeding a young cuckoo,  it was in a cuckoo haunt.

RSPB Rainham Marshes Tuesday 9th August

Hobby

This very handsome Painted Lady was one of quite a few butterflies that came out in the sun today on the riverside edge of the reserve,  and the movement towards the season of "mists and mellow fruitfulness" was noted by the heavily laden berry bushes drooping with the weight of the colourful fruit.

Painted Lady

Small Heath

Sloe

Small Heath

Common Blue

Hawthorn

Common Blue

Gatekeeper

Common Mallow