randombirder

More warm glorious sunshine to enjoy but am still keeping it real and keeping it local apart from one cheeky excursion out of town. Lockdown seems to be optional now, the government now have no credibility in enforcing law and order, judging by the actions of the general public anyway.  Let common sense prevail if indeed that is still a principle. Only nine minutes up the road is Therfield Heath, a chalk escarpment that provides an important habitat for a prosperous selection of butterflies. I hadn't seen many of our chalkland species for a few years, the ephemeral life of some of our most cherished butterfly species requires being on-cue for their emergence, lest time just passes by. It was a really gorgeous morning, warm and clear.  Butterflies were active from around 9am. This was the only Brown Argus I saw only during a couple of hours on site. My first Small Heath of the season warming itself in the morning sun. The butterfly I ha...

Time is going fast and while we endure continued restrictions, there has been some easing.  It hasn't changed my approach significantly - I'm enjoying the local area and staying put as much as possible (other than work commitments).  While those who purport to impose authority over this land flout the very guidance they impose, my enduring attitude toward the pandemic remains steadfast.  I don't want to catch the bastard virus and will do what I can to stay protected from it. So while pondering these things, I gaze across the countryside and for a brief moment, all is well in the world. There have been some impressive sunsets recently on warm evenings. Flowers have now started to bloom - two species of poppy co-existing along the field margins providing a splash of spring colour. The easing of lockdown restrictions effectively unlocked the gates for a return back to Broom Gravel Pits - having not visited for a couple of months, it was gr...

The weather changed.  We lost the warm cloudless sunny days and made way for April showers.  It didn't stop me from heading out in the belting rain.  And as faithful as the fluctuations of the British climate, eight  Northern Wheatear remained on the airfield with two of the males showing characteristics of the 'Greenland' race. With two Yellow Wagtail and a Lesser Whitethroat , it didn't feel any different birdwise. The deluge of the day before had passed but the 29th dawned grey with a slight change in temperature. Eight Wheatear remained on the airfield, two Yellow Wagtail and two Lesser Whitethroat  really helped maintain the feeling that everyday was the same.  These have now become daily sightings. A  Great Spotted Woodpecker flew across farmland toward the woodland, and a single House Martin hurtled through on the walk back. April made way for May.  A forced trip to Croxley on the 1st meant that a quick walk round th...