Doing anything wildlife related over Easter?

[Nicola Main]

I've not got anything planned for tomorrow (Saturday) but on Sunday the whole family's going up to Glen Doll to have a wee walk and roll the eggs! Will probably keep a look out for the birds and see if I can spot any butterflies etc. I'm looking forward to it we didn't go anywhere last year so hopefully this year should be good.

[Tinkerbell]

If the wind drops and the sunshine continues, we shall be heading in the opposite direction to the majority of the holiday traffic - down little used country lanes - on our bikes. For every hill you struggle up there's one you can speed down as though you were a kid again (yes, that's what we did in the 50s at Easter), and if we are lucky we just might come across something interesting to photograph, like the caterpillars encased in a silken web which I couldn't snap last time because my batteries had run out!!!

[pheonix]

I was going to go out today but had a heavey one last night and now feel a little bad
so i got all the rubbish jobs and things done today so ive got the rest of the weekend to do what i want.
plan to go to a few sites tomorrow, including brandon marsh, hopefully i'll get to put some warblers onto my checklist and maybe sandmartins, anything else will be welcomed too.
sunday im having a very leisurely day with my lady and some mates.
monday i have no plans but i think it will involve parks and walking?

is it too early to get the bbq out?!!

[Wild-Woman]

If you get the BBQ out it will rain for sure.
It's turned nice and sunny here though, looks like my hubby's shed is on fire where the rain is evaporating off the roof!!
And my old Dad us having 40 winks for his 80th birthday. Bless his old cotton socks. :-)

[Mark43]

Well i didn't get to Rye today

The car has been playing up and the brake lights won't work so we took the wife's runaround down to Pulborough and Amberley instead.

Pulborough was superb this morning...........nice and early before everyone else got there.
Nice views of GS and Green Woodpeckers......saw 7 in total and my first Treecreeper.

Everything seemed to be out singing and on show.

Followed this up with Hot Choccie and a home made Eccles cake..............bliss.

Nothing doing at Amberley.............dead in fact for birds.

Was going to pop into Warnham on the way back to see if Jonny was around but it started to rain so came home.....sorry Jonny

As an aside....got woken up at 4.20 this morning by an Owl of all things.

Had a look out the window and it was sitting on the opposite neighbours aerial hooting away.
Couldn't make out the type as still darkish but assumed to be a Tawny by the call......fantastic but had trouble getting back to sleep afterwards........i know....i shouldn't complain.

[pheonix]

i had a brilliant day at brandon today, in fact it so good i stayed all day and didnt go anywhere else! lots of warblers but no sandmartins but did see my first Grass Snake of the year!

62 in total of any animal species and a few unidentifiable butterflies. some of the interesting things seen:
Cetti's warbler, Willow warbler, Chiffchaff, Sparrow hawk, Swallow, Buzzard, Reed bunting, Ringed plover, Barnacle Goose, Widgeon, Ruddy duck, Willow tit and House martin.

Couldnt quite ID some calls and i'm still unsure on Garden Warbler, Sedge Warbler, and Whitethroat, but im very happy ive knocked at least some warblers off my list!

[Mark43]

Originally Posted by pheonix

i had a brilliant day at brandon today, in fact it so good i stayed all day and didnt go anywhere else! lots of warblers but no sandmartins but did see my first Grass Snake of the year!

62 in total of any animal species and a few unidentifiable butterflies. some of the interesting things seen:
Cetti's warbler, Willow warbler, Chiffchaff, Sparrow hawk, Swallow, Buzzard, Reed bunting, Ringed plover, Barnacle Goose, Widgeon, Ruddy duck, Willow tit and House martin.

Couldnt quite ID some calls and i'm still unsure on Garden Warbler, Sedge Warbler, and Whitethroat, but im very happy ive knocked at least some warblers off my list!

Sounds like you had a great day phoenix

Cetti's Warbler...........nice..........heard several at Titchwell last week but dammed if i could see them.

[nightshade]

Well I moved the compost heap but the cuboard was bare,apart from a chrysalis and thousands of worms (brandlings?) any ideas about the chrysalis?

[cherrybee]

Well I decided to try somewhere else than my usual and headed towards Exeter Quay to walk along the canal.I actually stopped off at Countess wier where there is a walk along the exe with the Exeter canal on the other side of me.I had just reached a bridge and ahead of me I could see swans and a cormorant so started towards them with camera at the ready.They were a way off and as I reached the beginning of the bridge I heard a loud flapping of wings.To my delight (too quick to photograph) the grey heron shot out from beneath the bridge right under my nose.Made me jump a mile it was so close.I hadnt realised how big they were.What grace and speed.Oh for the chance of being able to have taken that photo.Mind you it was a wonderful sight. There was another by the swans but unfortunately on the other side and although I got a photo it was too far away.Can see what it is but not good enough for here Also the cormorant was way off.Never mind now I know where I can find them I will be back when I have my other camera back.Even if I had that one it would not have been quick enough if he had been any closer he could have bit my nose off

[arvensis]

I shall be out tomorrow looking for spring Fungi.

Mark

[cherrybee]

well i went out today and got 1 wildflower and several wildlife piccys of....... my grandchildren hunting easter eggs which was run by a local football club.i rarely go out for a drink so feel a little worse for wear and I ONLY HAD 3.Will post the one and only wild flower later when I can find it among the other wildlife

[Jonny]

Originally Posted by Mark43

Well i didn't get to Rye today

The car has been playing up and the brake lights won't work so we took the wife's runaround down to Pulborough and Amberley instead.

Pulborough was superb this morning...........nice and early before everyone else got there.
Nice views of GS and Green Woodpeckers......saw 7 in total and my first Treecreeper.

Everything seemed to be out singing and on show.

Followed this up with Hot Choccie and a home made Eccles cake..............bliss.

Nothing doing at Amberley.............dead in fact for birds.

Was going to pop into Warnham on the way back to see if Jonny was around but it started to rain so came home.....sorry Jonny

As an aside....got woken up at 4.20 this morning by an Owl of all things.

Had a look out the window and it was sitting on the opposite neighbours aerial hooting away.
Couldn't make out the type as still darkish but assumed to be a Tawny by the call......fantastic but had trouble getting back to sleep afterwards........i know....i shouldn't complain.

I was there yesterday too, with the family. I went round with my daughter and my wife went round with the boy. We have little competitions to see who can find the most species of bird. My wife and son won with 26, we got 24, missed the kestrel and goldcrest...................Jon

[Mark43]

Originally Posted by Jonny

I was there yesterday too, with the family. I went round with my daughter and my wife went round with the boy. We have little competitions to see who can find the most species of bird. My wife and son won with 26, we got 24, missed the kestrel and goldcrest...................Jon

Pulborough you mean...........we were there till 12.30ish.

Might have passed you and not known.

Goldcrest..........what Goldcrest

Damm another one missed.

And we only got 24 also

[Jonny]

No I mean warnham, Mark, havn't been to pulbourgh for a while, though it sounds like it is good there at the mo...................Jon

[Mark43]

Originally Posted by Jonny

No I mean warnham, Mark, havn't been to pulbourgh for a while, though it sounds like it is good there at the mo...................Jon

My mistake .......sorry.

Did you see the Cettis?

[Jonny]

Originally Posted by Mark43

My mistake .......sorry.

Did you see the Cettis?

No mate...........Didn't hear it either, though they are around..................Jon