A few days pause.....

Well Mum and are off on hols to south Somerset for a few days. Whilst I'll have my mobile broadband, the likelihood is that the signal strength will be very weak; if so, it's unlikely that I'll be able to post to my blog during the time I'm away. Equally, I shan't be visiting many blogs either and I shall miss reading my fellow bloggers' news.

We've several places we plan to visit, one of them being Stourhead; our accommodation is, technically, in the estate - but the estate cover many acres. It's a while now since I've been there but it's a really beautiful place so I shall have the camera "over my shoulder" needless to say. ;)

Hopefully there'll be a bit of wildlife around various gardens we visit but probably not going to be able to do much birding.

However, I will be catching up on my return........

EDIT:
And whilst at Mum's this evening, we were seranaded by her regular Song Thrush who was on his usual perch at the top of a very high conifer.

Picture uploaded via Mobile Broadband - and very quickly I may add :D

A check up in Painshill Park

After I'd done the "domestic" bits this morning, I headed off for Painshill Park. I've been keeping an eye open for the pair of Great Crested Grebes ever since their single egg was predated! And on each visit ever since, I've seen them both there and very much a pair still but, no signs of any further nest building.

As I started walking around the lake, I espied this Grey Heron perched up very high on a dead tree.

and further around the lake dthis one had his eye on something - probably a meal of some sort!

May flies were everywhere and whilst this one was clinging onto a leaf, many others were indulging in their "bobbing up and down" flights.

Banded demoiselles were still evident but the numbers were fewer today. Damselflies abounded and it was great to see.


A flotilla of Greylag Geese and their goslings were swimming across the lake. Four adults and now 8 youngsters. The numbers of Greylag and Canada Geese goslings were, sadly, very much reduced from previous visits!

After the journey across the lake, these youngsters came onto dry land

followed by the four adults; some wing stretching was indulged in..

and of course, all youngsters need to practice their moves.

A cob Mute Swan was looking for something to eat and mostly being succussful.




I walked on getting further to where I normally see the Grebes and spotted one on its own out in the lake just swimming about.


I walked closer to the edge to get a better shot, when I noticed the other Grebe
on
a
nest! Whey hey! This was great news.

and, when she got off the nest, there was an egg! Great!


The both swan around for a bit and had a preen.


and eventually she made her way back to the nest; and whilst I was passing on the other bank later on, she was back on the nest again.

Nearby, a family of Mute Swans were growing up and beginning to feed themselves

and, of course, you need to get wet in order to eat


And finally I left Painshill with a spring in my step knowing that the Great Crested Grebes have had another go at ensuring the continuation of the species. Fingers crossed this time, they will have more success......

Painted Ladies in a different county!

I mentioned in yesterday's post that I'd seen some Painted Lady butterflies in my garden. It would appear that we've been invaded by them. Steve Gale at Northdownsandbeyond makes reference to them in his post where he'd seen them in his garden and where Graham had seen about 50 flying north through Ashdown Forest. Equally Frank at The Early Birder mentions that he saw a goodly number of them at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve in East Sussex.

Well - I was down in West Sussex today spending a day with my mother. "Oh look", says I "at all those Painted Ladies flying through the garden" We started counting 8; 10; 15; 20; 26; we carried on until we reached 50 and stopped counting and, spellbound we watched for several minutes. There were definitely in excess of 60 being blown along on the South West wind! Utterly amazing sight. Several of them stayed around in the garden and seemed to favour a patio area where many dandelions were growing. They also like the verbena in one of the hanging baskets! Magic!

And Jackie has just emailed me this link from the BBC news!






And whilst be entranced with all the flutters, I noticed a parent Dunnock up on the fence - having a preen.



It was then joined by a youngster and the adult flew off. I waited hoping for a feeding shot, but the parent didn't return whilst I was watching.


A bit of floral colour around Mum's garden.




Well given that I didn't expect to use my camera today, I was delighted to have another "back garden" wildlife adventure :D

Staying local

This morning started fairly sunny. The first young families I saw were of Blue Tit, Great Tits and Long-tailed Tits. Up high in a tree sat a young Jay - lovely stuff.

The sun was now much stronger and flying around the Rhododendron were many bees and two Painted Lady flutters - first time I've seen them in the location.


Lots of Large Red Damselflies flying around the pond

and at least 4 pairs of these too

and I've now seen my first Shield Bug of the year


Oh - and the location for all the above? My back garden :D

Early afternoon I decided I must get some exercise and headed off for Esher Common. I was on the lookout for Dragonflies and I found some. Only problem was it was far too late in the day and they were very active. But, nonetheless, it was good practice for in flight subjects and, as my school reports were often to profess, - "Could do better"



I then headed off for another area and this time Black Pond. The two small pools have now dried up but in the large pond there was a little activity and, in a gentle breeze, some great reflections!







And the one and only dragonfly I saw - tucked away in the reeds. So this one comes in under the heading of "impressionist" photography.


I now await the thunder and rain as the storm clouds are now gathering!

EDITED:
Just to add that the Starling families are now back in the garden and the noise is wonderfully deafening. Coming a close second is one of the Blue Tit families with the youngsters calling to be fed and....

yes - the rain is finally here!

A day out in Hampshire

One place I've been meaning to visit for a long time, is the National Trust property Hinton Ampner. However, the route I need to take has been suffering from very major road works at Hindhind over the last year or so. A tunnel is being created to relieve the traffic congestion and this is due to be completed in summer of 2011! So I've been waiting for a combination of a sunny day and one that is likely to be outside of normal weekday traffic. So - today was the day.

However, I did have to queue in a traffic jam for some time and, although I'd allowed extra time, I arrived half an hour later than I'd planned. Hey ho

Hinton Ampner was the brain child of Ralph Dutton (the 8th and final Lord Sherborne). He was born at Hinton in 1898 and inherited the house and garden in 1936.

The house is very pleasant and on Sundays only the ground floor is open to the public. Its dimensions are such you can imagine living in the house - I wish!

The gardens are a mixture of formal layout with informal planting. Dutton tried to create a feeling of tranquillity and in this (notwithstanding all the visitors today) I feel he's succeeded.

From the house and garden the view is over many large fields - these currently being occupied by several lambs and their mums; a lot of bleating was to be heard.

OK - I'll let you wander as I did:


















Someone was creative with the shears!






Within the grounds, but nothing to do with the National Trust, stands the small, but pretty, All Saints Church.

Next to the orchard stands All Saints parish church, which was originally Saxon. The chancel was rebuilt before 1822, and the nave by Ralph Dutton's grandfather in the 1870s, when the French-style bell-tower was also added. Ralph Dutton and many of his ancestors are buried here.

It has two very colourful in interesting stained glass windows which, for once, I've managed to get a reasonable picture of!






The gardens do not have any water and I was surprised at the lack of birds. A few crows flying about and the occasional blackbird. Equally, I presume, because the garden is mostly planted with trees and shrubs, there weren't many butterflies or bees about. I did feel a bit deprived and realised how much I miss seeing the birds and bees et al and also, I like having water about.

Had a quick nip into Painshill as it was on my way home. The two Great Crested Grebes are about but no further signs of nesting. Damselflies were everywhere and a great sight to see.

A pleasant day in some lovely sun - the first summer-like day of the year :D

Not very inspiring pictures today. One of those days when creativity never woke up.