The Old Vicarage, Lockdown Weekend

It's been a hectic few days in lockdown- if there was any further proof needed that garden wildlife is an endless resource and you really don't have to leave home to explore the natural world, well, this whole experience is hammering that point home.

The Old Vicarage all time bioblitz list is now on 685 with some new species recorded this weekend including Common Scoter (at last- must have been last to the party!) , Little Grebe, Coot, Teal and Water Rail recorded on the noc-mig recorder (Ebird list and recordings HERE) and other highlights included the first Swallow for the year, Streamer in the moth trap and a new sawfly Nematus lucidus. 

Also made good progress with the food growing in the wildlife garden.

Here's a few picture highlights:

GARDEN BIRDS 

Adult Red Kite 

First Swallow of the year 

Male Pheasant in the garden 

Highlight of exploring the local area for our daily walk was this flock of Fieldfare (about 250+) by the river at Ickford 

Stock Dove and Woodpigeon on the neighbours roof 

NOC-MIGGING

 Common Scoters- Sounds like two birds going over 

 Little Grebe- Recorded on two nights recently 

Coot- Recorded on all nights recording

GARDEN MOTHS ETC

Streamer - the only other moth in the trap was Hebrew Character (below) 

This was actually a pug I potted as I left the Beddington obs- Oak Tree Pug? The pale area just beyond the dark central spot is indicative of this species. 

Nematus lucidus (I-spot id HERE) 

GARDEN BOTANY

The Bluebells are flowering in the drive 

This fritillaria is an exotic but nonetheless impressive looking 

WILDLIFE GARDENING AND FOOD GROWING 

The Broccoli is coming along well. Sowed into seed trays and left inside by the window before transplanting. 

Same with Tomatoes- seed trays-window-transplant.

Runner beans- one seed per individual pots, on the windowsill before transplanting 

All the root veg seeds have gone straight into the raised beds- carrots, radish and beetroot  

The little wildlife gardener- it was Jacob's third birthday this weekend- we made this little song for him (below)