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:

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