Toadsnatcher

Odd-plumaged Blue Tit

2012-02-08T17:34:00.001Z

A Blue Tit with a nice blue chest! Not the best photo but I'll attempt to get a better one if it sticks around. Seen today in the garden - not seen before today and since I watch the garden constantly clearly a newbie driven in during this cold snap (other new birds arrived in the garden today too). My contribution to the BTO's Abnormal Plumage Survey. Not the first plumage oddity we've had

We've finished the house!

2011-12-19T15:05:00.001Z

It's finished! More photos on our renovation blog here.

Yellowhammers

2011-12-19T15:02:00.002Z

Just two birds feeding in a ploughed field containing 145+ Corn Buntings and 85+ Yellowhammers near the house on 7 Dec.

Birdfair 2011

2011-08-23T13:08:00.005+01:00

So, its August which meant Birdfair! Three days of slogging around the tented birding festival at Rutland Water. And as usual, three days is never enough! Sorry if I missed you. My weekend in brief! Day 1 - arrived at 0900 and spent an hour with Vine House Farm enjoying a nice latte from the best coffee stall at the Birdfair - the Coffee Man outside Marquee 2. My 1000 appointment with Minox

Turtle and pecker in the garden

2011-08-06T10:49:00.002+01:00

There was a time I used to get up to a dozen Turts in the garden. Not any more. They stopped breeding on the fen a few years back. They still breed within three miles of here but this is the first Turt of the year hear.Despite its relative lack of trees, the fen can be good for peckers. I've seen all three species in ten years here. A single record of Lesser Spotted just outside the village in a

Bamboo clothing - some reviews and thoughts

2011-07-15T17:57:00.010+01:00

Photo mastergardenproducts.comOver the years many of us have ditched natural fibre clothing for the technical benefits of man-made fabrics. I know I was fed up of damp cotton t-shirts, so swapped them for high-wicking, polycotton alternatives which stayed dry. In recent years though I’ve been trying to be more ethical in my purchases and trying to reduce my carbon footprint (haven’t we all?).

Leopard slug

2011-07-15T14:39:00.003+01:00

One of the joys of working from home is being able to do those household chores at lunchtime. Oh joy. Today I thought I'd have a look at the rainwater harvester (which flushes our loos and runs the washing machine). On lifting the inspection cover I was firstly amazed at how little the water had gone down - good - but it was still filthy after the neighbours kitchen waste had been somehow wrongly

The Posh 3 - 0 Huddersfield Town

2011-05-30T15:37:00.007+01:00

League 1 Play Off Final at . . .. . . the Theatre of Dreams - Old Trafford, home of the great Man Utd, 19 times league champions.It's little wonder the Huddersfield Town kit is so popular when Tesco carrier bags are free!OT's East Stand filling up with Posh fans.Away we go with the usual razz-ma-tazz.The two teams line up in front of the dug-outs. Posh in their new Nike all-black change strip,

Barca 3 - 1 Man Utd

2011-05-30T15:32:00.005+01:00

Congratulations to Barcelona! European Champions.Barca are quite simply the best team in the world. Rooney's goal could have been the result of a Barca move which they themselves would have been proud. But that one moment illustrates the gulf between not just these two sides, but between Barca and the rest of the footballing world. Whilst Utd can come up with the occasional moment of brilliance,

It's baby Treep time!

2011-05-26T15:26:00.002+01:00

Juvvy Tree Sparrows, Farcet Fen © Steve Dudley I've got at least three broods of fledged Tree Sparrows in the garden the last couple of days. They've even used one of the sparrow terrace nest boxes! Wonders never cease.Treeps arrived here in January 2003. They'd never been recorded on Farcet Fen before (over 40 years of resident birders living here and no

Posh 4 - 3 MK Dons - Old Trafford here we come!

2011-05-20T15:09:00.004+01:00

Sheer jubilation at London Rd last night after we put the Dons to the sword! Here the crowd sing as the players appear in the directors box and rightfully claim their fans' adulation. Bring on Huddersfield Town!

Champions x19 - stick that Merseyside!

2011-05-20T15:02:00.005+01:00

There she blows!

2011-02-07T18:22:00.005Z

When you live out here on the arable fen you get used to the odd bit of wind. What happens every now and then (maybe once or twice a year) is that those winds continue solid for a few days, desiccating the soil surface of the surrounding fields and then just when you think the wind cant get any stronger, it does, and 'lifts' the soil off the fields - that's a fen blow.Here's a view from my desk

New camera!

2011-01-25T12:36:00.005Z

A female Bramblefinch feeding outside the kitchen and snapped from the breakfast table. One of five Bramblefinks that have been around the garden since mid-Dec.Well, I've taken the plunge in to DSLR with the purchase of one these cameras and a second hand one of these lenses - don't the prices look scary! Thankfully I paid nothing like the Canon RRP! Especially the lens which was a great buy from

Another deformed Chaffinch

2010-10-01T17:34:00.003+01:00

This Chaffinch has a severely swollen chest. Its not quite the deformity of a male Chaffinch we had in the garden in March 2009. See here for the Elephant Chaffinch (not played by John Hurt!).

Sparrowhawk eats Woodpigeon

2010-10-01T17:32:00.001+01:00

Liz and I watched this female Sparrowhawk tucking in to this still live Woodpigeon. It was on the drove outside the house as we viewed from the office window. She flew off with it without any difficulty. Strong lass.

Cattle Egret - at last!

2010-09-21T20:44:00.008+01:00

Cattle Egret with Lapwings, Nene Washes, 21 Sept 10 © Steve Dudley At last! Not just third time lucky for this individual, but a long over due PBC tick for me! First there was the infamous bird race day Lesser Black-backed Gull. And then came the the 2008 bird found by Brian Stone around Elton. I dipped this bird, but what really hurt was reading in the

Lesvos (again!)

2010-09-21T20:44:00.001+01:00

Violet Dropwing, Achladeri Forest, Lesvos. 16 Sept 10 © Steve DudleyJust back from Lesvos. I'll try and post a wee report and some more photos later. This dragonfly taken with my new Canon 7D with a loaned Canon 400mm f5.6 telephoto lens.

Madeira seabirding

2010-08-13T17:29:00.005+01:00

White-faced Petrel, c.12 miles north of Madeira, 6 August 2010 © Oliver Nüssen Liz and I are just back from a fabulous trip to Madeira which included a superb 3-day pelagic with Madeira Wind Birds. See here for a short report and some of my snaps - no where near as good as the fabulous photo by Oliver Nüssen - White-faced Petrel has always been one of my

Nutter in the garden!

2010-01-28T14:54:00.003Z

Amazingly, a Nuthatch this lunchtime bouncing around the gardens here shouting its head off. It was one of those nagging moments. I was playing with the new pup in the garden and kept hearing this call from across the road. Each time I thought ‘that’s familiar’ and started searching through my grey cells for a match. Eventually, and somewhat bizarrely some might think, it took me to a valley on

Nowt like a bigoted fisherman to rile birders

2010-01-15T15:50:00.005Z

Well, we all know there is friction in some quarters between birders and fisherman. The problem largely stems from ignorant bigots such as Angling Times contributor Steve Partner. Just read is brilliantly titled 'The dark heart of twitching' article at Angling Times.To quote Partner 'It's a story that I guarantee will ignite fury'. Aye, it does that alright, but not in anglers, but in the

Pigeons . . . don't you just love 'em . . .

2009-12-03T12:27:00.003Z

. . . in a nice red wine gravy and under a thick pastry lid!Looking across the fields this morning we seem to have attacted the three trillion Woodpigs which now rside in Britain. Grey lumps sat like statues across all the ploughed ground. Some fields you cant see the ground! They rise in thick noisy clouds darkening the skies. But do I hear the sound of of the farmers' guns? No. What a shame.

Reservoir cats

2009-12-01T13:15:00.003Z

While no one could ever replace the greatly missed Tom McKinney's blog, Mr White and his Reservoir Cats blog goes some way! His recent posts cover how the Staines Brown Shrike was really mis-identified dog shite (Tom McKinney-like!, a call for a fatwa against the UK's list-master general and the Bobbins Bird Guide! Very funny!

Jax is here!

2009-12-01T13:08:00.003Z

Jax moved in at the weekend! To follow our progress as first-time puppy-owners check out our Jax the Spanish Water Dog blog.

First frost

2009-12-01T13:02:00.002Z

There was a good frost last night so it was out first thing to top up all the seed and nut feeders and stick the first lot of fatballs out for the winter. There were already plenty of birds around the garden but soon the feeders were crowded with finches and Tree Sparrows. Mid-morning I spied a female Brambling briefly below one of the feeders. Whilst searching the bushes I spied a flash of white

Garden list hits 130!

2009-12-01T12:58:00.002Z

Well, when you've got a garden list as large as ours it takes something special to make its way on to it!I've seen Jack Snipe on the fen on a couple of occasions but never expected to add it to the house list. But on the morning of the 27 Nov I was having to spend early morning in the garden unblocking our drain to our cesspit. I'd already seen an adult Med Gull feeding in the ploughed field

Meet Jax!

2009-11-09T20:11:00.004Z

Well, Liz has finally ground me down and we're getting a dog! After a wee bit of delaying on my part, we got the garden fenced and gated (see here) and we began what turned out to be a short search for our pup.Jax is a choccy-coloured Spanish Water Dog and above he's four weeks old when Liz and I went to meet him. Below, one of Carol's (the breeder) kids holding Jax up for a portrait shot at five

Autumn moths

2009-10-29T09:50:00.003Z

Satellite, Farcet Fen, 29 October 09. Attracted to light, 15w actinic. Only my second record of this supposedly common species, and exactly three years to the day since the first.Large Wainscot, Farcet Fen, 29 October 09. Attracted to light, 15w actinic.Beaded Chestnut, Farcet Fen, 29 October 09. Attracted to light, 15w actinic.

iBirder - for virtually all your birding needs!

2009-10-28T23:53:00.015Z

iBirder® is the new operating system from MacBirder. Features for the modern virtual birder include -MiBino® - your state-of-the-art virtual binocular - 6x to 60x magnification! See as far as you can see with your own eyes!iScope® - zoom in on your subject - up to 20x to 2000x magnification! See further than you can see with your own eyes!iD® - what's that

Lesvos 17 - 24 September 2009

2009-09-25T18:06:00.000+01:00

Lesser Grey Shrike, nr Kalloni Saltpans, September 2009 © Steve DudleyI'm just back from another week on Lesvos. See here for my trip report.

MacApple's MiLife for the busy woman

2009-09-15T17:08:00.018+01:00

MiLife09®- the new operating system for the busy woman With the continued problems being experienced by Windows Husband users, MacApple have launched a new operating system for the busy woman - OS XXX MiLife09®. MiLife has all you expect from MacApple – iDrive, iChat, iShop, iLike, iCantFind, iMLate, iMlost, MiTime, etc. Improved social programmes inc. iDate, iBreezer, iTalkToo and HiLife.

Windows Men programmes faulter

2009-09-15T17:00:00.002+01:00

Dear Windows Tech Support, Last year I upgraded from Boyfriend to Husband and noticed a distinct slowdown in overall system performance -- particularly in the chocolates, flower and jewellery applications, which operated flawlessly under Boyfriend. In addition, Husband uninstalled many other valuable programs, such as Romance and Personal Attention and then installed

More garden moths

2009-08-14T18:04:00.005+01:00

Nothing outrageous this last week, but some goodies none-the-less including Dark Sword-grass, Small Waved Umber and Dark Spinach.Coxcomb Prominent, Farcet Fen, 01 August 09. Attracted to light, 160w MVB. The first for the garden and the first to be caught in my 5km square since 1989.Dark Spinach, Farcet Fen, 13 Aug 09, Attracted to light, 160w MVB. The first since 2005.Dark Sword-grass, Farcet

Garden moths and crickets

2009-08-08T16:45:00.005+01:00

I've been running the traps as often as possible. here's a few of the goodies from the last week.Sallow Kitten, Farcet Fen, 29 July 09, attracted to light (160w MVB).Round-winged Muslin, Farcet Fen, 25 July 09, attracted to light (160w MVB). A worn individual. Only the second caught here.The Olive, Farcet Fen, 29 July 09, attracted to light (160w MVB).Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing,

Birdwatchingwatching - a snore bore of a book

2009-07-24T19:11:00.005+01:00

I read a few reviews of this book, no ravers, but I stilled requested it for my birthday. What a waste of a present! I got about a third of the way through and gave up! It was that dull.Like many, I read books in bed. So no problems falling asleep with this one! If Alex Horne is a comedien I won't be bothering to go and see him live. I recall a couple of titters, but nothing more. Nope, I didn't

Recent moths

2009-07-24T18:29:00.010+01:00

Its been a good summer so far. No stunning migrants, but a good number of moths most catches and a few garden firsts.Amblyptilia acanthadactyla, Farcet Fen, a new species for me, the garden and my square! Attracted to light (160w MVB), 22 July 2009. Chinese Character, Farcet Fen, ttracted to light (160w MVB), 22 July 2009.Double Lobed, Farcet Fen, attracted to light (160w MVB), 13 July 2009.Least

New garden moth

2009-07-05T19:07:00.004+01:00

After two weeks away and missing all this great mothing weather, I was itching to get the traps out when I returned home. First up was the 160w MVB which brought me a 50+ species, 400+ individual insect catch, followed on Saturday night with the 15w actinic which produced the expected much lower numbers, but did manage a first for the garden - The Miller.The Miller, Farcet Fen, 5 July 09.

A couple of days in the Highlands

2009-07-05T18:48:00.003+01:00

After leading my group around Shetland & Orkney, it was great to spend a couple of days with Liz in the Highlands. Strath Connon and Strath Dearn were out chosen places. Great weather, great landscapes, great wildlife inc. butterflies, Azure Hawker, Northern Emerald, Golden-ringed Draongfly, etc, etc.Strath DearnJuvenile Northern Wheatear, Strath ConnonDark Green Fritiallry, Strath

Lady Poole of Loch Eye House

2009-07-05T17:52:00.014+01:00

When you book into a B&B you never imagine that you'll be staying in the house of the aristocracy! Liz booked a couple of nights at Loch Eye House. I left it all to her. I saw the small photo in the Sawday's guide and read the blurb, but it didn't say much and I was focussed on preapring for my trip to Shetland and Orkney. Loch Eye HouseSo, image my surprise when we arrive at Loch Eye House and

Shetland & Orkney, 21 - 30 June 09

2009-07-05T17:12:00.002+01:00

Primula Scotica, Orkney, June 09 © Steve DudleyI'm just back from an excellent trip leading a group around the northern isles. Birds, wildlife and Neolithic archaeology were all on the agenda, but the star of the show for me was finding Primula scotica in full flower. A carpet of them between the two main flowering periods. The best show I've ever seen!For full report and lists see here.

Another new footman!

2009-06-18T10:48:00.004+01:00

No, we dont have staff, but a new moth for the garden.Four-dotted Footman. Caught at light (160w MVB). When I put the MV out last night it was lovely and cloudy, warm and humid, but I was very disappointed when at midnight I popped out and found clear skies and dropping temps. Imagine my surprise when I pulled out a new moth for me and my garden in the form of a Four-dotted Footman - according to

Hawkmoths and Fan-foot

2009-06-14T17:47:00.003+01:00

A good moth catch overnight with 180+ insects, the pick being - One of my favourite moths, Eyed Hawkmoth, and only the third year I have caught them here (2004, 2007).All pink moths are smart! Elephant Hawkmoth. The fourth consecutive year I've caught this species. Fan-foot - not regular here by any means.

Hummer in the house!

2009-06-13T21:55:00.003+01:00

Many of us enjoy seeing Hummingbird Hawkmoths in our gardens in summer, but this evening whilst having dinner, I was amazed to find a Hummer roosting above us on one of the kitchen velux roof windows!

Craptic!

2009-06-13T21:46:00.004+01:00

Well, one of the lighter moments of today's BOU Records Committee (BOURC) meeting was a discussion on species diagnosibility. This included the term 'cryptic' in the sense that some species might not be identifiable to the ear or eye without the use of technology (sound recording, UV light, etc).So if these unidentifiable species how should we refer to the 'subtlely different' species which we

Ladies and cheeky chaps

2009-06-03T17:49:00.003+01:00

Anyone with even a smidgin of wildlife interest wont have failed to either notice or hear about the recent butterfly 'invasion' . Well, what probably amounts to millions of Painted Lady butterflies were seen moving north through Britain over the last week or so. They originate from North Africa and Butterfly Conservation want your records. Well, I saw a few thousand go through the garden and over

Recent garden moths

2009-04-16T19:18:00.003+01:00

I ran the 15 actinic treap a few tims in recent weeks but caught nothing. I dusted off the Robinson MVB trap and bingo!Purple Thorn, Farcet Fen, 5 Apr 09. Caught at light (160w MVB). Hebrew Character, Farcet Fen, 5 Apr 09. Caught at light (160w MVB).The Herald, Farcet Fen, 5 Apr 09. Caught at light (160w MVB).Powdered Quaker, Farcet Fen, 15 Apr 09. Caught at light (160w MVB). Dotted Border,

Common Cranes! House tick no. 128!

2009-04-09T15:10:00.002+01:00

Well, its been some time coming but I knew they would fall in the end. We've had cranes pretty much in residence in the area for at least a year. Two in particular are not infrequently reported from the Nene Washes and Woodwalton Fen. Our house lies pretty much slap between these two large areas and I've been banging on for ages about how they must be flying over the house! Well, at last I've

Deformed Chaffinch - elephantiasis?

2009-03-18T16:34:00.003Z

Not a great image, but this male Chaffinch turned up in the garden yesterday (along with a nice fem Bramble Finch which didn't hang around for photos). I've never seen anything like this on a wild bird. I've seen captive birds with these 'swellings', but only species like Zebra Finches, etc. Is it an avian equivalent of elephantiasis (although with humans this is most commonly associated with

What's that in the wood pile?

2009-02-22T11:44:00.003Z

Staring bleary-eyed through the bathroom window I noticed a strange shape in the all too regular lines of our large pile of wood (hangover from the recent house renovation). No glasses to hand but knowing it was (a) obviously a bird, (b) a wee bit too big for the usual wood pile Wren and (c) totally wrong for a pheasant (see how attuned by birding senses are just minutes after rising) I reached

Tits and nuts

2009-02-22T11:40:00.003Z

During the recent snow we had a wee flock of 12 Long-tailed Tits turn up in the garden. They arrived with the snow and they left with the snow. Only my fourth record for the garden/fen. Interestingly, the granivorous species bumped up when the snow hit, and as soon as it melted, the ship-out was instant with most of the Chaffinches, Greenfinches and half of the Tree Sparrows leaving the garden -

Hanging ice

2009-02-09T13:31:00.003Z

We had a sleepless night last night. The cause. The gradual slip of the snow on the roof as temperatures fluctuate. The snow on the roof is a solid block of snow ice and during the late evening and all last night this 17m x 6m block began to slip downwards! It judders down the slate roof and off the edge of the roof, hanging before the next judder cuases large chunks to break off and down with a

Fox and pheasant

2009-02-09T13:27:00.002Z

We saw this fox from the living room window yesterday. I spotted what I thought was a characteristic 'pounce' through the bushes. Waited and eventually this animal appeared on the edge of the treeline and sat watching over teh snowscape for a few minutes. Just look at that fantastic tail. This is only the fourth time I've seen fox on the fen. I've rarely come across any sign of them either which

Winter thrushes

2009-02-06T09:35:00.004Z

A second day of snow here. A slight thaw overnight (surprisingly) but then heavy snow from 8.00am means it might just be a top up.Redwing diffing on edge of garden dyke. These winter thrushes know how to cope with snow! The Blackbirds spend most of their time defending the feeding stations, the Song Thrush just looks like its in a sulk. But this Redwing was busy pulling out leaves from under the

Snow, birds and hares

2009-02-05T22:20:00.006Z

7.00am waiting to see how bad it was and whether we could get Liz to the station. The station run was later aborted when the radio told us that Peterborough had copped the best/worst of the overnight snow, the trains were stuffed and central Pboro was either clogged with snow or clogged with car playing dodgems!7.30am and blanket snow - a nice thick layer of the pucker, crunching-under-foot,

Broadway blues!

2009-01-28T21:25:00.003Z

It might not be the cultural centre of the world, but we've started to enjoy our visiting Peterborough's Broadway Theatre in recent times with great gigs by Russell Howard and Frankie Boyle (we missed last week's Jimmy Carr gig cos it sold out mega quick).But we wont be enjoying the Ross Noble gig we were booked for in April. Why? Cos some tossers decided to set the place alight. Thanks very much

2009 - more pish, piffle and bolllocks then

2009-01-28T21:17:00.003Z

Well. Its nigh on the end of January already and I've posted nowt on here for some time. Mind, that does mean I probably done nowt for some some time. So what have we been up to -1. the house - overseeing the kitchen and final bits of builder-realted stuff - yippee!2. decorating - hoo-bloody-raa! House update here3. not birding - boo-bloody-hoo!4. xmas - yippee! (apart from both being ill with

More building progress!

2008-10-31T09:26:00.001Z

Still my favourite view of the house! We've been 'in' no.4 (this end) for four weeks now and the pace of progress in no.3 has been relentless. Full update on our renovation blog.

Frankie Boyle - contains swearing from the start!

2008-10-31T08:40:00.001Z

Fuck! Frankie Boyle live at the Peterborough Broadway!! What a great gig!!! The not-so-PC comic gave however what I thought was a short set at under one and a half hours, but, and here's the rub, I don't think the fuckers who started leaving as he was still saying his 'thank you Peterborough' line helped! I'm used to encores at the Broadway, and I'm sure Frankie had more material to deliver, but,

Pies and Prejudice

2008-08-27T16:12:00.000+01:00

Well, I was bought Stuart Maconie's Pies and Prejudice for my birthday last month. I was really looking forward to reading it, but to be honest, apart from the very occasional chuckle, it bored the fillings out of my teeth.I was disappointed mainly on the point that Maconie appears to have lived in the south for far too long and hasclearly become very soft and soppy about t'north.Now, I ain't

Building progress!

2008-08-23T21:42:00.000+01:00

Currently my favourite few of the house now the oak windows are being installed! The pace of things is now relentless. Full update on our renovation blog.

Chocolate-tip

2008-08-23T21:37:00.000+01:00

A new species for me. This fabulous Chocolate-tip was one of two new species in the trap this morning, but the Small Waved Umber scarpered before I could get photograph it! If my database from Barry Dickerson is correct, the last (and only?) record for Chocolate-tip for my square is from 1878! Caught at light (160w MVB).More of my and other Camb moth pictures on the Cambs Moth Gallery.

White-spotted Pug

2008-08-19T09:39:00.000+01:00

Its not been great for moths in recent days being largely cool and wet. A few year firsts and my first White-spotted Pug (caught at light, 160 MVB, 14 Aug 08). A new species for the garden and TL29SW. Caught at light (160w MVB).Twin-spotted Wainscot, Farcet Fen, 14 Aug 08Only the fifth I have caught here. Caught at light (160w MVB).More of my and other Camb moth pictures on the Cambs Moth Gallery.

Garden moths

2008-08-07T15:06:00.000+01:00

It was probably not the best idea to stick the MV out last night having just arrived home from Svalbard and not even unpacked! But the muggy evening had a good night written all over it and this morning I wasn't disappointed as it included three garden and 5km square firsts - Pebble Hook-tip (2), Pine Hawkmoth and Canary-shouldered Thorn. I had such a good catch I had to leave many, and the

Just back from the frozen north!

2008-08-06T10:27:00.002+01:00

Female Polar Bear cub nr Binnebukta, Wilhelmøya, Svalbard, 30 July 08. Digiscoped from the MV Aleksey Maryshev using Leica APO Televid 77 c/w 20xWA eyepiece and Leica D-Lux 3.Whilst the builders continued with the house, Liz and I went on a long-awaited, once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Arctic. I'll get a trip report with photos (like above!) on here asap.By the way, the above Polar Bear cub was

A good moth night

2008-07-15T10:05:00.003+01:00

Small Dotted Buff, Farcet Fen, 14 July 08 A new species for me and my square. Caught at light (160w MVB).Lilac Beauty, male, Farcet Fen, 14 July 08 A new species for me and my square. Caught at light (160w MVB).Early Thorn, Farcet Fen, 14 July 08One of two caught. The best night by far this year, with 37 macro species and year firsts of Fen Wainscot (one of my fave moths), Brimstone and Marbled

The definitive guide to the Birds of Britain

2008-07-14T20:32:00.004+01:00

Until this evening, I had rarely been on YouTube, just followed the odd link from other blogs etc, but searching for Mock the Week content took me to the dark side of the net. But . . . if I can find gems like this from immenstrides I'll be heading back! That even sounds like Mark Gatiss (he of League of Gentlemen fame) doing the narration. I could imagine him putting this together.

Mock the Week - contains swearing!

2008-07-14T18:02:00.001+01:00

Liz and I are just a wee bit surprised when we mention our favourite comedians - Dara who? Russell Howard, who he? Frankie Boyle, uh? Well, they're all from one of our fave TV comedy shows, Mock the Week (new series just started on Beeb 2, Thursdays at 9), and for some classic check out these links -Mock the Week \ some great lines from this great show - wait for the Hazel Blears/sporum gag. More

Solio - free recharging for my phone

2008-07-14T17:44:00.000+01:00

When I got one of these the other day for my birthday, I thought I'd only use it on trips. Far from it! I charged it up the other day, sticking it on to on of the front window using the included suction cup, and have already charged my Blackberry. The Solia is back in the window recharging ready to charge the Blackberry up again. So, far from using it only on trips, I'm going to continue to

Leaf-cutter Bee

2008-07-14T11:58:00.002+01:00

I found one of these bees yesterday working an old screw hole in the house wall. Then this lunchtime I noticed more activity than usual around the insect box. Closer inspection found at least leaf-cutter bees Megachile centuncularis. The book says that this species is a rose specialist, and sure enough, less than ten feet away I found these holes in a rose bush! I watched the larger of the two

Garden moths

2008-07-14T10:15:00.000+01:00

I've said before, one of the great things about moth trapping is not just the hoped-for migrants and wanderers, but catching those commoner species which are either simply stunning or that I don't trap too often.Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, Farcet Fen 13 July 08 One of my favourite species, and the first for 2008. Caught at light (22w actinic).Elephant Hawkmoth, Farcet Fen, 12 July 08I never

Happy birthday to me!

2008-07-10T19:52:00.011+01:00

First off. I'm in a feckin foul mood! Why? We'll, I had just spent 45 mins typing this post (well, not this one, but one just like it), adding links and pics etc only for the feckin laptop to decide it wanted to turn itself off without warning! Oh computers - we love 'em, but we don't half hate the bastards too!Anyway, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME etc, etc, etc.Thems of you who know me well know I'm a

The most invasive ladybird on earth!

2008-07-06T17:45:00.001+01:00

Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis larveaCrowtree, Farcet Fen, 5 July 08I've yet to see an adult Harlequin, but last weekend I found larvea at Haddenham, and this weeken I found this on our garden Birch tree. For more information, including reporting your sightings of larvea and adults, on 'the most invasive ladybird on earth' to quote the Harlequin Ladybird Survey, see here.

More building progress!

2008-07-06T17:42:00.000+01:00

Like our new hole in our floor? Hear what the man from building control said here. !

Return of the Leicester Llama!

2008-07-06T11:50:00.005+01:00

The Leicester Llamas are back! Well, one of them is anyway - so, its welcome back The Leicester Llama. This Llama didn't actually ever go anywhere. He's always been there just with the demise of the original Llamas line up, he hasn't been filling the net with their anarchic views of birding of late. Those who used to love creasing themselves at images such this (but make sure you check the

There's nowt like a good Buff-tip

2008-07-05T22:42:00.002+01:00

The weather hasn't really been producing great mothing nights, but last night was one of the better ones, delivering one of only several catches of over 100 individual moths of 28 species (the best species count of the year). It included some year firsts (Clay, Scalloped Oak), another Diamond-back Moth (fourth of the year for this migrant) and these two commoner species which are at least scarce

Half Man Half Biscuit - a tribute

2008-07-04T12:44:00.001+01:00

Remember 80s band Half Man Half Buscuit. Well, northern mucker Tim Melling did and pointed me in the directoin of the lyrics for their For what is Chatteris. Its a top notch, hot potch of words which had me smiling (living only a few miles from said Chatteris and knowing it and its folk). Nowhere esle will you find a song containing the words butchers, cake shop, chandlers and linnet!It inspired

New garden moth and some migrants

2008-06-25T09:12:00.001+01:00

The Fern, Farcet Fen, 24 June 08 A new species for the garden and 5km square.Diamond-back Moth, Farcet Fen, 23 June 08 Fifth record for the garden for this migrant. All previous records during the great migrant summer of 2006.Dark Sword-grass, Farcet Fen, 24 June 08.The first record of this migrant since the 14 I caught during the summer of 2006.Small Dusty Wave, Farcet Fen, 23 June 08.

We got new builders!

2008-06-25T09:10:00.000+01:00

Our new builders, Jon Avory & Sons, started on Monday and are already making their mark! See here for updates.

Turts 'n' Treeps

2008-06-01T20:05:00.000+01:00

Turtle Doves are getting a wee bit like hens teeth these days, so its more than satisfying that it remains a garden bird for us. We had two present in May and this bird still present today. At lest two more seen on the fen today and anothr 'purring' at Lattersey Lakes this evening (a few miles from the house on the outskirts of Whittlesey).On the Tree Sparrow front, I make it that we have around

Grey Parts in the garden

2008-05-29T16:59:00.001+01:00

We frequently see Grey Partridges in the fields by the house (we have 3-5 pairs most years on the fen), but imagine our delight when these two partridges game in to the garden and have a wee dust bath (below - female dust-bathing in Pheasant bathing hole under the leylandii hedge whilst the male maintains a watchful eye).In the end, the resident male Pheasant drove them off - paranoid git!

Champions of Europe!

2008-05-21T23:02:00.001+01:00

Premier League Champions 2008!

2008-05-13T11:31:00.000+01:00

Lesvos 1-8 May 08

2008-05-10T17:59:00.007+01:00

Black-headed BuntingA private holiday week (with Liz and friend Chris) after two weeks leading groups around the island for myself and Speyside Wildlife. A relaxed week of late breakfasts, leisurely birding and long taverna lunches!Highlights -1 May 08Metochi Lake - Eleanora's Falcon 2, Spotted Crake 1, Little Bittern 3, Middle Spotted Woodpecker.2 May 08Kalloni Saltpans - Ruddy Shelduck 16,

Lesvos 24 Apr - 1 May 08

2008-05-10T17:53:00.001+01:00

A Speyside Wildlife holiday led by Steve Dudley (http://www.lesvosbirding.com/) & Mark Denman (Speyside Widlife)Trip particpants: Peter, Jenny, Rosemary & Charlie, Chris & Richard, Annie & David.Day 1, Thurs 24 AprilMark meets up with the group at Gatwick and board the First Choice flight direct to very sunny and hot Mytilini, Lesvos. Four hours later they are met by Steve and we are all soon in

Lesvos - 17-24 April 08

2008-05-10T17:52:00.003+01:00

I usually write my own trip report, but for this week one of the group members had been assigned/volunteered the task so I was more than happy to see how one of hte trip particpants saw one of my guided Lesvos weeks for a change. So here is Neil Bew's report from my first of three weeks on Lesvos this spring.Take it away Neil . . .Participants : David B and Mary, Dave C, Neil, Michael, Geoff, Ron

Building work stops play!

2008-02-29T18:14:00.000Z

All our spare time is now taken up with this! For updates see here.

Garden birding

2007-12-13T10:11:00.000Z

I haven' updated my garden list for a while, and having added three new species (Wheatear, Mandarin and Hen Harrier) to it this year, I thought it time to do so! These make it 124 species. For full list see here.

Botswana 31 Oct - 12 Nov

2007-12-01T13:43:00.000Z

More photos to follow!A Speyside Wildlife holiday with Desert & Delta Safaris led by Steve Dudley/ToadsnatcherParticpants: Felicita & Bruce, Janet & Paul, Val & TonyDay 1 – Weds, 31 OctoberWe all meet at Heathrow and say hello. Tony and Val are flying down separately as they are staying on in South Africa after the holiday, so we bid them bon voyage and arrange to meet up in Johannesburg. The

Lesvos, 20 - 27 September 07

2007-09-29T15:34:00.000+01:00

Pithariou Reservoir and MonasterySites visited (from Skala Kallonis) and weather20/9 Fine, settled, sunny and warm. No wind.Arrived hotel c.1600h. Metochi Lake21/9 Overcast. Rain in morning. Very strong NE wind.Petra Reservoir, Molivos, north coast track to Skala Sikaminias, Sikaminia, Korakas, Napi Valley, Kalloni Saltpans, Tsiknias River.22/9 Overcast. Strong NE wind.Christou River, Aghia

Watching British Dragonflies - it's here!

2007-08-15T12:15:00.000+01:00

Well, its taken us over a decade, but today Caroline, Andy and myself are celebrating the publication of our long-awaited book - Watching British Dragonflies! You can see it at the Birdfair this weekend!

Lesser Stag Beetle

2007-08-12T14:12:00.000+01:00

The highlight of my National Moth Night was not a moth, but two Lesser Stag Beetles which I have never seen in the garden before.

National Moth Night

2007-08-12T14:04:00.000+01:00

My first ever contribution to National Moth Night, and although pulling out all the stops (MV light, actinic light, wine syrup and patrolling flowering plants) I only managed 37 macro species (143 indidivuals). By mighnight, the wine syrup rags and spots had drawn in 18 species, eight of which I failed to catch in the two light traps, so this was well worth the effort.15w actinic light trap160w

Woodwalton darters

2007-08-11T13:43:00.000+01:00

Ruddy Darter, male Common Darter, female.

More moths

2007-08-09T19:05:00.001+01:00

Another rather poor catch last night (only 75 individuals of 25 macro species). But amongst them where some rather nice commoner moths including these three. Dog's Tooth, 8 August 2007, Farcet FenThis is one of my favourite moths. I just love what I call the 'Warrior Mask' markings - dig those fangs!Green Carpet, 8 August 2007, Farcet Fen.A common species, I caught five last night, but this is a

Twin-spotted Wainscot

2007-08-08T14:46:00.000+01:00

Caught at light, 6 August 2007.This is only my second record of this local species, the first was on 9 August last year - only three days out! Also caught the same date as David caught one at Earith.

White-line Dart - new for the fen

2007-08-08T14:42:00.000+01:00

Caught at light, 4 Aug 2007This was the first of two White-line Darts caught on 2 & 4 Aug. A new species for mew, the fen and VC29sw.

Rosy Footman

2007-08-02T10:09:00.000+01:00

Rosy Footman, Farcet Fen, 21 July 2007I caught this cracking moth the other weekend when Liz and I had a coupleof friends over from Germay staying with us - Jurgen (a very German name) and Elizabetta (a not so German name cos she's one of those nice Italian ladies). I think they find me very amusing in general, but they certainly thought I was seriously amusing when they witnessed the joyous

Small Red-eyed Damselfly, Farcet Fen

2007-07-08T17:56:00.000+01:00

A pair of ovispositing Small Red-eyed Damselfly, Farcet Fen.Click the image above for a larger picture.I knew it was only a matter of time before I found this species on the fen. Brian Stone found them in central Peterborough last year, but I don't know of ay other sites locally to have recorded them either last year or this year (not heard of any anywhere so far this year). Is this the first

Peregrines breed in Peterborough!

2007-07-02T17:16:00.000+01:00

Fledged juvenile Peregrine FalconCentric’s Peterborough Power Station, June 2007© Mike Harris/Centrica EnergyRead the full story and how I confirmed the county's first ever breeding Peregrines here.

White-legged Damselfly, Elton Water Meadows

2007-06-24T00:21:00.000+01:00

The awful weather predicted for today didn't look like it was going to materialise, and needing a break from work on the book (Watching British Dragonflies) I decideed to go and look at some live beasties for a couple of hours.The Natural Stone had seen two of my fave odonates, White-legged Damselfly and Scarce Chaser, near his home in Elton which ain't too far from the house. I see Scarce Chaser