Swifts 26th May

Finally got the camera moved to give a better view a check this morning revealed the nest empty but at 9-15 both birds had returned.

Swifts + Edit

My first Swift of the year was this one in the roof space nest could only see the wing tip at first so have moved the camera over , still can't seem to get sound as I can through the TV ,when the two birds are together and suddenly scream out it frightens the life out of you . Not great quality but it is pitch black in there.

I seem to have got the sound to work although there is no sound on this clip,looks like I will have to move the camera again, watch out for the flat fly that runs across its back  !!!!!!!!!!

Monday 23rd 9am two birds present with mutual preening, entrance on the left 

Blyth Battery 21-5-11

Back from a couple of weeks holiday birding in Majorca ,Ive got no space on my hard-drive  so will have to sort something out before I can view the photos, looks like I have missed a few things WWBT being one   but there is still time for another,will have to get out and about and try and catch up with the Spoonbill and Crane ,was planning a few days up Beadnell area anyway. Had a look down at The Battery at Blyth a WW11 event on (Sunday also) as I said last year worth a look at.

 One of the well fed German group, probably early in the war when rations where plentiful.

 Some serious detail is maintained in the camps

 The Germans have arrived , prelude to a small engagement

 The action begins , nurse with casualty on the right, apparently in these days of being PC there are now no winners and losers , and there was me thinking that in war that was always the case.

 It was rather noisy as they all had blank fire guns, and the machine gun was propane gas operated ,

 Two lads from WW1 Scottish regiments group ,this one getting to grips with a mobile  !!!! They are doing an 80mile march in June to raise funds details here http://www.erskine.org.uk/assets/docs/GHEM_-_FIRST_DRAFT_RELEASE_220311.pdf

The famous Willys Jeep , but at only 19 mpg , it probably goes home on a trailer these days.

Big Waters

Had a look around Big Waters the other day thought I would have found some Speckled Wood Butterflies but no Orange Tips and Whites in good numbers, along with Damselflies much earlier than I had them last year , I think they would have been around but much harder to find deep in the grass, Common Terns on the Lake with a few Black -headed, & Lesser Black Backs ,report of Otter in the book from the same day ,not seen one for some times now. The feeding station very quiet , a lot of trees cut down here and at the pool to let some light in..

Common Terns bonding on Big waters lake

The Predator

And the prey

This Spider walked infront of the lens

Damselflies out in good numbers but they did seem to disappear with ease

This one eating a very small fly

Small Copper along the boardwalk

St Marks Fly which seem to be out in  droves  !!!

Speckled Wood 19-4-11

Speckled Wood Butterflies are here again ,a short walk yesterday afternoon to have a look for these fantastic Butterflies saw my first one as it skirted along the tops of a hawthorn till it dropped down and settled  some damage in the wing on this one , but as I walked on found more and more twice had them spiral upwards right in front of me , I counted 10 in all probably a lot more as it was late in the day, last year the first one I found was on the 21 May ?, lots ,and lots of Whites on the wing also Peacocks and a single Comma !

 Speckled wood , they seem to like bramble.

Two spiral upwards