Roxton Balancing Pond

I found my first Broad-bodied Chaser of the year on Wednesday at my old stomping ground at Roxton, a small balancing pond off the A421. I've had some exciting times at this small unassuming pond. It was the first place I ever photographed Dragonflies, Damselflies, Lt Egrets, Herons and a host of different insects.

The highlight was a very close encounter with a Roe Deer that came within six feet of me, which I don't think will ever happen in my lifetime again.

The pictures are not the best in the world but looking back I'm surprised I got any pictures at all, this is one of the set and I include just to illustrate how close the deer was. The shadow falling on it's left side is mine. it was at this point the Deer finally realised I was standing on the same track it was heading down. It didn't bolt as you might expect but turned and slowly headed back from where it came from

This was in May 2010 and there are some pictures on my Flickr page which documents the brief but magical experience. You can see the full set here:

Anyway that aside here are my pictures of the Female Broad-bodied Chaser.

I did also see a Female Common Darter but it was not landing for ling and I had to leave to get to work! I am informed that sighting was a very early record for the area.

Elstow Brook Corkers

Some picture from last Sunday mornings walk around Elstow Brook and pits at the rear of Octagon Farm.

Cuckoo  - Cuculus canorus

Oystercatcher - Haematopus ostralegus

Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula

Banded Demoiselle - Calopteryx splendens

Common Blue Damselfly - Enallagma cyathigerum

Four Spotted Chaser - Libellula quadrimaculata

A very dodgy video of  the brilliant Cuckoo

One other thing to report from this visit was the liquid song of a Nightingale - bliss! :)

Great Spotted Woodpecker

This female Great Spotted Woodpecker has been a regular visitor over the last few days, she is taking pieces of peanut away (hopefully to young birds). I am hoping to see some fledglings soon.

These shots were taken before six in the morning in fairly poor light.

Dragons and Damsels

The warm weather has of course bought out the dragon and damsels and it's a joy to see. Nothing out of the ordinary yet, Saturday bought Banded Demoiselle (beautiful and very common) and Common Blue at a site where I was sure there would be some activity, on the Great Ouse next to Cycle Track 51.

Male Banded Demoiselle - Calopteryx splendens

Female Banded Demoiselle - Calopteryx splendens 

Male Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum

On Sunday I was around Octagon Farm Pits (which I have never visited at the time of year when dragons & damsels are active) and found Banded Demoiselle & Common Blue again. Also found my first Dragonfly of the year here, and although the Four Spotted Chaser is quite a common species it was a first for me.

Four Spotted Chasers - Libellula quadrimaculata

Not sure the sex of either of these 2 individuals as they are apparently very similar looking.

Looking forward to more warm weather for dragon fly watching. 

Wags

Wags in Bedfordshire:

Pied, Yellow & Grey

BTO Nightingale Survey

Been out doing the BTO Nightingale Survey over the past couple of weeks. Despite lots of visits to "my" patch nothing to report so far. This doesn't unfortunately come as a great surprise as my one potential hot spot (with a Nightingale record only last year) has been "improved" beyond recognition with a formally wild area tidied, paths widened and hedges cut right back. I have visited regularly (more in hope than expectation) but apart from a solitary singing Robin, a Song Thrush and a couple of Blackbirds, the once thriving sanctuary is now devoid of wildlife.

My main hope is now pinned on a couple of prime Nightingale friendly habitats which just might come up trumps but with no recent records it's a bit of a long shot. One more weekend of early starts and late finishes with fingers firmly crossed for a positive outcome.

I'm seeing a lot of sunrises and sunsets lately:

Flickr Photostream

Starlings, Collared Doves & Yellow Wagtails

A strange combination and in truth no real connection between the first two and the last apart from the fact that all the pictures were taken on the same day.

The Starlings & Collared Doves pix's were taken from an open window next to a pine tree in my Cardington Garden. A set up that allowed close up's in what was very good light. The Yellow Wags pic was taken late in the evening in poor light out "in the field". I am including the pic of the Yellow Wags because of their relative rarity value.

Northern Wheatear

My first spot for the year of these delightful birds was on Friday 13th!

I picked up the first one just after 8am on a dull cloudy morning in Bedford River Valley Park along the newly planted hedge line to the East of 100 acre pit at TL 0857 5024.

Unfortunately due to the dull conditions and maximum zoom employed the images are pretty scratchy

When I followed this bird a short distance to the west I was pleased to find 3 other birds, 4 in total.

I did go back the next day but could only locate one Wheatear in some rough ground to the north of the hedge line.