Wednesday, 6 December 2023

Visit to St. Nicholas Church and surrounding areas – 6th December 2023

Date: 6th December 2023

Time: from 8:30 a.m.

Weather: dry, sunny, light wind, 1°C to 3°C

It was a lovely sunny and frosty winter morning for my latest visit to the site requiring multiple layers to keep warm.

The main purpose of my visit was to watch and photograph Red Foxes and I only visited the northern section of the site. After scattering a “breakfast buffet” at a suitable location, I settled down in my bag hide to wait. Within 5 minutes, I saw my first Red Fox which slowly made its way towards the food.

During the next 2 hours, I saw at least 3 Red Foxes, including 2 different adults and a smaller animal which I presumed was one of this year’s cubs, especially given its deference to the adults.

This was my first photography session with Red Foxes since 21st June 2023 when I was still on “cub watch” and it proved to be very successful. I was able to take a large number of photos including interaction between 2 Red Foxes plus a Red Fox with Magpies who also wanted to enjoy the feast.

With regard to other mammals, I saw at least 2 but possibly more Reeves’ Muntjacs. These were my first sightings since 11th May 2023 and I was able to get my first photos since 25th April 2023.

Sightings of birds were relatively few but did include a single Redwing, a regularly singing Song Thrush, a fly-over Green Woodpecker and a calling Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Species recorded during this visit were as follows (heard only records in italics):


Blue Tit
Great Tit
Robin
Redwing
Song Thrush
Blackbird
Dunnock
Green Woodpecker
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Woodpigeon
Herring Gull

Red Fox
Reeves’ Muntjac
Grey Squirrel

Here are some photos from my visit ....















Photo: Robin
















Photo: Reeves' Muntjac















Photo: Reeves' Muntjac
















Photo: Red Fox















Photo: Red Fox

Photo: Red Fox

Photo: Red Fox

Photo: Red Fox

Photo: Red Fox

Photo: Red Fox

Photo: Red Fox

Photo: Red Fox
















Photo: Red Fox















Photo: Red Fox

Photo: Red Fox

Photo: Red Fox
















Photo: Red Fox
















Photo: Red Fox
















Photo: Red Fox
















Photo: Red Fox















Photo: Red Fox

Photo: Red Fox

Photo: Red Fox
















Photo: Red Foxes
















Photo: Red Foxes
















Photo: Red Foxes
















Photo: Red Fox
















Photo: Red Fox
















Photo: Red Fox
















Photo: Red Fox
















Photo: Red Fox
















Photo: Red Fox
















Photo: Red Fox
















Photo: Red Fox and Magpie















Photo: Red Fox and Magpie

Photo: Red Fox and Magpie

Photo: Red Fox and Magpies

Photo: Red Fox and Magpies















Photo: Red Fox and Magpies


















Site totals for 2023 to date (2022 totals in brackets):

Birds = 45  (45)
Mammals = 3  (5)
Butterflies = 23  (17)
Dragonflies and damselflies = 11  (7)
Reptiles = 0  (0)
Amphibians = 0  (0)

Total species list for the site:

Birds = 65
Mammals = 7
Butterflies = 25
Dragonflies and damselflies = 11
Reptiles = 1
Amphibians = 0

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Tuesday, 5 December 2023

Record from my flat - Grey Squirrels

I see Grey Squirrels regularly at both my local patch sites and around my block of flats. The boundary fence to the rear communal garden to my block of flats seems to be a regular Grey Squirrel highway or resting point.

This morning I saw a Grey Squirrel feeding on what appeared to be the remains of a half coconut! I have no idea where he found this. At one point, he seemed very keen to show me there was very little remaining inside the shell ….




























Eventually he gained the interest of another Grey Squirrel who took over his position on the fence ….





























…. whilst he retreated with his prize to the top of the adjacent garages ….


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"If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere"

"If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere" - Vincent van Gogh




























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Chris Packham launches legal challenge over UK’s watering down of climate policies

Chris Packham has filed a High Court legal challenge to the UK government over its decision to weaken key climate policies.

Well done Chris! .... you will have a huge amount of support in taking on the hypocrisy and complete failure of the UK Government to respond to the climate emergency and biodiversity crisis facing our country and the world.

The Guardian - Chris Packham launches legal challenge over UK’s watering down of climate policies


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“Photography is a kind of hunting"

I recently found this very meaningful quote courtesy of Richard Birchett and his YouTube channel which I subscribe to.

“Photography is a kind of hunting. It is the hunting instinct without the desire to kill. It is for angels… You stalk, you aim, you shoot, and click! Instead of killing something, you have made it eternal.” - Chris Marker

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Beaver release approved at new Cairngorms National Park sites

NatureScot has approved a licence application from the Cairngorms National Park to release up to 6 Beaver families at agreed sites in the upper River Spey catchment.

This decision will help increase the current range of Beavers in Scotland, as set out as a priority in Scotland's Beaver Strategy 2022-2045.

The approval marks the 5th catchment area to which Beavers have either been officially granted permission to remain or have been released. Populations are already established in Tayside, on the Forth, in Knapdale and Loch Lomond.

When is the progressive and enlightened ambition in Scotland going to be eventually matched in England and Wales where progress by the Westminster Government in re-introducing Beavers is painfully slow for no apparent reason?

SS15 wildlife watching: Beavers

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