Spring shoots

Still four Iceland Gulls (above) and the Kumlien's about

This female Pintail has been putting in irregular appearances

Hairy Bitter-cress
A few more flowering plants, few more insects, the first Redshank for the year, flocking Fieldfares, prospecting Shelducks and migrant waterfowl are all part of the unfolding Spring.
I finally managed to see 2-3 Pheasants on 100 acre that have been present all year but proving to be very elusive.

March Moths

Looks like food for the summer migrants is appearing ahead of them- I had this lot in the moth trap last night/this morning - 5 Common Quakers, 2 March Moths, a plume sp (emmelina monodactyla?), 2 micros (agonopterix sp?) and a massive bee. They all sat still for the photo- eventually!
Quaker action here: http://peteralfrey.blogspot.com/2012/03/quakers.html

Calm after the storm

First-winter Iceland Gull. One of three today.

Red Dead-nettle? Another sign of early spring.

I finally managed to get over the farm - two days after the 2nd Great White Egret for the site and some other good birds. Grippage here:
http://devilbirder.blogspot.com/2012/02/bog-dump-bonanza.html

Late winter

Certainly a feel of change in the air. An influx of thrushes today, high flying gulls presumably migrating, lots of birds singing, Lapwing taking up territories and a few bees buzzing around. 2 Water Pipits, 3 Curlew, Lapwing, 15 Snipe, 5 Green Sandpiper and 40+ Teal on 100 acre. 60+ Shoveler, 30+ Gadwall and 20+ Teal on Southern Lake and a 1st winter and a 2nd winter Iceland Gull on the main lake.

Second-winter Iceland Gull (bird No. 6 known as Daz (whiter than whitest)

Three Curlew- these birds have been present for over 3 weeks

A noteable influx of Fieldfare (200+) and Redwing (30+) on the Horse Field today.

Hebrew Character?- a few moths in the trap last night

Pale Brindled Beauty

Let the Stringing Begin

Satellite (I don't think I can get this wrong- kidney shaped white spot with moons each side of it)

Small Brindled Beauty?

March moth?
Felt like spring today so I've put on the moth trap- these so far.
A couple more here:
http://peteralfrey.blogspot.com/

Beddington Farmlands Nature Reserve Update

Things pushing forward slowly. The incinerator proposal has focused the debate on the progress of the restoration and hopefully according to Viridor the incinerator will speed up the development of the nature reserve and Wandle Valley Regional Park. Our bird group has put together a briefing report (top pic) of all the main issues surrounding the development of the reserve and as a seperate micro project we are working with the local authority and local planning group to link the reserve to the River Wandle by strengthening wildlife corridors through the adjacent Hackbridge area (bottom pic). Effectively this will bring the nature reserve and willdife into the nearby urban area to reinforce the concept of this being a true urban nature reserve with people, urban development, industry and wildlife co-existing in an amicable (?eventually?) way.

Back to Normal

Iceland Gull- three again today

Water Rail- a tame bird that likes walking around the front of the hide- scared of squirrels but not birders

Shelduck- since the thaw many birds have returned including the waterfowl. Up to 6 Shelducks today and 8 in the week. Diving ducks have also returned with 30+ Pochard in the week. An increase in Lapwing numbers (up to 86 recently) and Snipe (c25 today) indicate some kind of return passage following the hard weather movement.