Butterflies and Moths (15): Peacock Butterfly

It was good to see a number of Peacock butterflies in Yorkshire last week.

We saw Peacocks (alas, not wild ones!) at Nunnington Hall on our travels.

I thought it would be interesting to see the two pictures together ...

Beautiful Birds (22): Press Release from the RSPB

Big Game in Trafalgar Square  ;-)

Certainly a novel idea for London from the RSPB. I suggest you check this out HERE ... and please leave a comment ...

Bird Count (2): March 2011 ~ and 2011 RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch Results

Birds seen and noted in March 2011, mostly in South Wales, UK

In case you are interested in numbers (some of these are approximates) ...

Carrion Crow (42)   |    Tern (30)   |    Rook (12)   |     Shelduck (11)   |    Long tailed tit (10)    |    Chaffinch (9)   |    Black Headed Gull (9)      |  Wood Pigeon (8)  |      Magpie (7)  |   Blackbird (6)    |      Blue tit (6)   |   |   Mallard (6)  | Dunnock (5)   |   Lapwing (5)  |   Coot (4)   |    Pintail (4)  |    Sparrow (4)   |   Great tit (3)   |  Wren (3)  |    Buzzard (2)  |    Gadwall (2)   |  Great Spotted Woodpecker (2)   |   Greenfinch (2)   |   Little Egret (2)   |  ChiffChaff (2)  |  Robin(2)   |   Nuthatch (2)   |   Red Kite (2)   |    Siskin (2)   |   Starling (2)  |  GreyHeron (1)   |   Tufted Duck (1)   |  Sparrowhawk (1)   |  Moorhen (1)   |   Curlew  (1) |  Pheasant (1)

• Birds seen in January and February 2011

• March 2011: other observations include a Grey Squirrel, a Rabbit, several Common Toads, Toadspawn, Bumblebees (I must learn more about the different ones), approximately 12 Small Tortoiseshell Butterflies, a Common Quaker Moth, Snails, an Ant and a Ladybird (still to be identified from my photo).

One of my most appealing first hand observations was of a 'dancing' Blue tit, trying to impress (or reach?) its reflection in the large wing mirror of a 4x4. The display lasted for quite a number of minutes (I was sitting in the dentist's car park), with the bird flying off every so often, only to return for another attempt at showcasing its performance. I didn't have my camera with me at the time, but you can see a similar scene here from The Daily Mail, February 2008.  

Do take a look at the 2011 results for the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch (and here).

You might also enjoy my 'Pick of the Month' photo choice on 'The Lizard Naturally' blog ... utterly adders!

Beautiful Birds (21): WWT Llanelli ~ Part 2

A huge pair of wings flew across the water ...

... as the Grey Heron drew closer,

... and took up residence in his favourite spot.

Beautiful Birds (20): WWT Llanelli

Spring is in the air ... 
                                            

                 ... and the Terns were squabbling, making their presence felt once again. 

The bird was very busy preening ...

... and was quite unaware of my presence.

Here it is, all spruced up for spring.

The willows in the Wetlands are now in full bloom, and birdsong fills the air. 

These Pintail were enjoying themselves on the water ...

... while the Rook seemed quite contented on her nest. 

This Gadwall blended in beautifully with his surroundings. 

Let me know if you can identify this little fellow! Is it a female Tufted Duck, perhaps?

King Cormorant of the Castle! 

Seasonal Splash (6): Spring Sunshine at Dinefwr, Wales

We went on an expedition to try out the new boardwalk at Dinefwr ...

... We liked the wildlife motifs (several different ones) on the new benches.

The sun was shining, but these Scarlet Elf Cups reminded us that a long winter was not far behind us.

They were not the only species of fungi we encountered. This Bracket Fungus (Trametes versicolour)
was eye-catching.

Wrens were busy in the twiggy undergrowth by the water ...

... and I was delighted when I spotted this string of toad spawn.

I think this is a Common Quaker moth, Orthosia cerasi (thanks to Stuart's Donegal blog). 

The Nuthatch was flitting about in the trees.

This was my first Violet of the season, complete with ant!

Beside the Sea (3): Laugharne, Red Velvet Mite and Curlew

Laugharne, Carmarthenshire, Wales, UK

We took a trip to Laugharne and walked along in the shadow of Dylan Thomas. His famous Boat House home is the white building closest to the estuary, at the end of the path that skirts the castle. 

Eutrombidium rostratus. Order: Trombidiformes

We kept our ears open for the sound of the Curlew. We heard a few Oystercatchers. There were plenty of Cockle shells on the shore. My eyes alighted on this tiny red creature above. It was less than a centimetre in length and, thanks to Ray Wilson's photograph, I can say that it appears to be a Red Velvet Mite. My thanks to David for his photo (posted above) of this minute creature. It belongs to the class of Arachnida and the sub-class, Acari. You can read more on the BugGuide.

We noticed this bird of prey on a telegraph pole. I tried to photograph it, but I was shooting into the sun. I would be grateful if anyone can identify it from this picture and the one below. I think it was smaller than a Buzzard.

 There was no sign of the Heron on Dylan's 'heron-priested shore' - though we noticed a solitary Little Egret. Laugharne, however, would hardly be Laugharne without a Curlew ...

Butterflies and Moths (14): Spring is on the Wing!

Small Tortoiseshell

I spotted my first Small Tortoiseshell of the year in our garden on some white heather today. Sadly my photo (taken through glass) was too fuzzy to post ... so here's one I 'took earlier' (in 2010). I have just noticed a pair cavorting through the air as well. I saw my first Small Tortoiseshell on the same clump of heather, one Valentine's Day in the snow - so these butterflies today are running a month behind!

Update: 18.30 ~ we have just spotted our first bat of the season. A sign of things to come.

Beautiful Birds (19): WWT Llanelli Part 2

We saw this beautiful Gadwall gliding along ...

. . . in front of his mate. 

Time for a bit of pecking and preening!

The Lapwing looked on ...

. . . while the Redshanks showed off their legs ...

. . . and this Greenshank balanced precariously.

There were certainly signs of Spring in the air. I particularly enjoyed watching this fastidious Gadwall ...

Beautiful Birds (18): WWT Llanelli

Shelduck ...

... on the look-out.

Little Egret: grooming time!

The majestic Mute Swan

A Tufted Duck ...

... and a Shoveler.

Cormorant ... off-duty!

Bird Count (1): January-February 2011

Birds I have seen during January and February in South Wales

I wonder what species you have noted so far this year in your neck of the woods? I have also seen the following: -

Mammals
1) Grey Squirrel
2) Rabbit
3) Fox

Amphibians
1) Common Toad

Insects
1) Bumble Bee
2) Hover Fly
3) Ladybird (fluttered past without stopping)

Molluscs
1) Snails

I have yet to see my first Butterfly of 2011. I recall spotting my first one year on 14 February in the snow!

Postscript: you might enjoy this post about what birds can do in Israel ~ thanks, April!

From the Hide (1): Mr (& Mrs) Toad and friends

We had greatly enjoyed Adam Tilt's account of his heroic Toad Rescue in Burry Port, so were aware that Mr - & Mrs - Toad might be out in the spring sunshine. Nevertheless, we were somewhat taken by surprise as we scanned the scene from the hide in Pembrey Country Park, for a warty creature was making its way down towards the water's edge before our eyes.

The view from the hide: last time we were here it was like a scene from Monet's Giverny, with waterlilies!

Turning tail: our first sighting of a rabbit in 2011.

We left the first hide - and lo and behold, there were Mr and Mrs Common Toad!

They were moving purposefully in our direction (though we used a zoom lens and tried to give them space)

It was soon time for a short rest ...

... before the obstacle course!

Talk about camouflage - but the spotty legs gave the toad away!

There were a few Mallard drakes on the water.

The toads knew that spring was in the air, but this (Yellow Brain?) fungus and the cold wind added a touch of the autumnal.

Spring won out, however, for I saw my first Daisy of 2011 ...

... complete with 'pollinator'!

• The Toads on Roads project
• Beware ... 'Toad on Road' signs
• BBC coverage
• 2010: Toads in Gloucestershire

Postscript: 2 March ~ I have been keeping an eye out for frogspawn - without success thus far. My first sighting of the year is 'virtual' spawn here on Lletty's (Carmarthenshire) blog ...