Friday 1 May 2009

May is here! A most exciting month, with the last of the migrant species to arrive, and maybe a surprise flyover species to record.

My now usual trek over to the lake side scrub was had again this afternoon, I'm still looking for a Garden Warbler, they are a scarce species on my patch, with just 2 pairs at most, so I hope they don't fail to breed here this year. Song was dominated by the CHIFFCHAFF and BLACKCAP, the Turtle Dove and Cuckoo were not heard at all, but they will be around tomorrow morning.....I hope. A LESSER WHITETHROAT gave a couple of brief bits of its rattling song, as did the COMMON WHITETHROAT, both species are still eluding my camera!
Whilst I sat and listened, a fox came trotting up the path in front of me, I slowly raised my camera, and took a pic of it, only then did it look up and realise I was there!

On the way out of the scrub I took a quick look over the lake. The CANADA GEESE have hatched at least four young goslings, they were at the back of the lake under some overhanging branches, so it was hard to see, thats the sixth bird species confirmed breeding on my patch so far this year.

I thought i'd give migrant alley a try, even though as I passed it on the way home from work I could see that there was much work going on there. As I crossed the tree nursery to get there I saw a Damsellefly species, which gave me a photographic chance. I took my seat at migrant alley and couldn't go any further round the fields, as a trenching machine wash moving across, it looked to be a drainage pipe going in, and not the main gas line. The only birds I saw were a flyover HERRING GULL, and a KESTREL, with the magnificantly brave pair of SKYLARKS throwing streams of song at the big yelow trencher!

I hope to be out early tomorrow and get the may list off to a flying start with at least 50 species, including what was seen today.

Below is the Fox that trotted up to me, I caught it totally off guard!

Below are two shots of the Damsellfly. I reckon it's a newly emerged Blue Tailed Damselfly. I think Greenie will know better!



The last photo is of the Kestrel, I got its tail in focus - but not mush else!





10 comments:

John Young said...

Hi Warren, I think you are right with the damsel fly and nice fox shot. I had two garden warblers today singing on Longfield chalk bank, so hopefully yours will trun up soon.

Monika said...

See, the foxes pose for you too!

Ken. said...

Hi Warren. Sorry you didn't get off to a better start to May, still tomorrow is another day. Nice Fox picture. Have a good bank holiday.

Chris said...

Hi Warren,
Well now you are getting pictures of something without feathers!! How strange is that? ;-) Nice to be able to see a fox, here they are in the north of the country, so hard to see... Let's we will get a nice outdoor weather for the week end!

Anonymous said...

Yep, well done with the Fox, Warren. I only see them at distance, in my area.

Simon said...

Great fox shot Warren. Well done with the damselfly.

ShySongbird said...

Good on the Skylarks for not being intimidated by all the disruption!

The photo of the fox is stunning, I wonder who was the most surprised!

Kelly said...

Hi Warren...I love the fox. How lucky to have him trot right up to you. He does look a bit surprised, doesn't he!

FAB said...

Warren, there has been a large influx of Garden Warlers in the last 24/48 hours at Bookham Common so every chance you sholud have one or two very soon.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Warren: I love your fox photo, I bet you both were surprised.