From The Undergrowth

Not posted very much lately so here are a few from the last couple of weeks.

Butter burr coming into full bloom

A pair of small Tortoiseshell mating

Stag Roe Deer

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Robin

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Male Reed Bunting

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(Tuffty)  Jay

Male Gooseander going like the clappers

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Male Bullfinch

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Jenny Wren

Wren with nesting meterial

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Hope yoyu enjoy the pictures 

click on the images for a better view.  gwh

Breezy Morning

Work Party 11th of April 2015.

Allan, Barry, Bella, Bruce, David, Garry, Graham, Julian, Mike, Richard, Robin, Stuart and Sue came along to the work party, apologies for any omission. The day started a little wet but rapidly cleared up and became sunny and dry. Morning tea/coffee was had in the Cabin - Thanks Graham, we must buy you a suitable pinafore.

The car park was repaired and lots and lots of Hazel, Blackthorn and Hawthorn saplings were planted on the North Loop bund. Migrants birds seen were Swallow and Sand Martin. Things are beginning to "hot up" now on the reserve with plenty nest boxes already spoken for.

Pictures to follow

Field mouse and a dropped fat ball under the car park feeders

NEWT NIGHT

Quite a few people attended the evening, 35 visitors + ourselves were present.
A nice gent brought a few Great Crested newts in for us to look at, he is licensed to own & handle them of course.
We managed to find a few newts trying to dodge the torches, & I managed to borrow a net off somebody & scooped a Female Palmate Newt out for all to see.
A few of the younger ones seemed to really enjoy letting it sit in their cupped hands, where it seemed to be really relaxed, enjoying the warmth from our bodies I guess.
Robin had some Bat detection gear & quite a few bats were zipping about the Bailey Bridge on the way back, where surprisingly there wasn't any screaming due to all the big spiders lurking on the bridges metalwork!
The ladies didn't seem to be afraid either! hahaha.

The female Palmate newt I netted looking for some more warm hands to sit on!

 

 A moth was nearly stood on sitting on the floor of the Bridge - Apparently an Early Tooth-striped Moth - Thanks Andy!

 

 

One of the hundreds of "Bridge Spiders" that came out after dark!

 

The special ones .......

Great Crested Newts - Pair, Female & Male kindly displayed for a good look.

The visitors seemed to enjoy their night out & I think everyone got to see whatever they had come for.

Margaret has passed a few pictures for adding so:

 Some of the people gathered round our Newt Man before the walk, taken by a tall person me-thinks!

 The Man himself showing off a Great Crested Newt & visitor trying to get a look at it.

 One of the Newts top

One of the Newts belly - very bright colours they have.

 Everyone spread out looking for their own newts.

I'm sure there's a newt here somewhere!

A Bat Detector in Action 

 

 

Easter at Cromwell

Lots of Human visitors at weekend, due to the big orange thing in the sky!
Lots of singing Chiffchaff, a reported Blackcap, Woodpeckers drumming, Buzzards calling above the Hill & the usual suspects. A few Peacocks & commas had appeared around the feeding area.

Wrens have become very active

 Here's a Wren collecting moss, unfortunately it cannot resist singing with mouth full & so drops most of the load.

 Here's one giving it some!

 & this one said it was far too bright!

Jays have been visiting again

 Even they can't be quiet

Reed Bunting still regular

 As are the Coal Tits

 Robin Falling Off! Too busy watching another one.

Still plenty of dumplings (Bullfinch) about

 

 

 

Cromwell Today April 6th

A visit to the canal turned up a singing Blackcap and either a Clouded Yellow or Brimstone although I would think it is far too early for brimstone? This vivid yellow butterfly flew fast towards Brighouse on the far side of the canal.

More likely to be Brimstone - thanks for the info Simon

By the car park today