Wild Wanderings
Diary Entry 28-May 2018
Damsel Flies and Painted Ladies
A break in the weather and some well needed water for the plants. Its amazing how the sudden rain fall wakes everything up. The grass is now emerald green and the Dahlias are at last showing signs of coming through.
Birds have been a bit shy recently and I have not seen so many around. The Reed Buntings have disappeared completely as have the Blue Tits and Great Tits. Robins are still showing up on occasions.
The most numerous bird has been the Yellowhammers. Three pairs yesterday. They seem to like the pile of old tree cuttings in the centre of the paddock. They use it as a half way station when coming into feed. House Sparrows have also been visiting in pairs and are as noisy as ever.
River Walk.
I have not been to the River recently, so I decided to take a stroll and see how things were. On the way I can checkout the Kestrel boxes with my Binoculars. Both boxes are still in situ but alas no occupants. I was probably a bit optimistic that we would get residents this year. I have seen Kestrels frequently around the areas of the boxes, so here’s hoping for next season.
The planted Wheat crop is now about 12 inches or so high and is deep green in colour making a deep emerald background to the countryside vista. Young Rabbits were scurrying about in the bottom of the hedgerows. They are always nervous of my approach. On seeing me they freeze momentarily before dashing off. Sometimes if I can navigate a corner of the field silently I can surprise them and get a photo. But today they were very alert and evasive.
The River has now retreated to within its banks and the undulating approach is now a mass of Field Buttercups. They are like a yellow low-lying cloud in my vision and remind me of the poem by Wordsworth ‘Daffodils’. But a ‘Host of golden Buttercups’ doesn’t sound quite so romantic. A beautiful colourful sight that frames the still water of the river perfectly. The river is very still as is the quarry in sight across its banks. Just two distant Swans gently feeding downstream, the brilliant white standing out against the abyss black waters.
The Quarry too is quiet. Four or five Cormorants are resting on the island in the centre, one has its wings outstretched in that typical Cormorant pose. Two Little Egrets are also present and a few other waterbirds that I can’t ID from this distance, even with the aid my camera lens.
Two pairs of Mallards fly off squawking loudly as they go. Mallards fly fast and are always noisy. In the past I have seen Peregrine Falcons above the quarry, high in the sky. We have two nesting pairs of Peregrine in the locality, so they are probably those individuals. I have been told the Peregrines have chicks again now, so I will keep my eyes open, hoping to see them again.
Butterflies have also been scarce recently. I am particularly keen to see ‘Painted Ladies’ as last year I only saw one lonely individual. They are a migratory species and apparently come over from Spain which I find quite an amazing feat. These medium-sized butterflies can cover a lot of ground, up to 100 miles per day during their migration. A painted lady can reach a speed of nearly 30 miles per hour. (Thought&Co). How do these delicate creatures manage that?
After lying on the bank for about twenty minutes and relaxing my watch I spotted a Damsel Fly fluttering above a patch of newly emerged Dock Leaves. Walking towards the edge of the river there were several more flitting around. The sight of a Banded Damsel Fly is a sure sign summer is well and truly on its way. The walk back home was uneventful. But a wonderful balmy evening. What more could you want?
Till tomorrow.
