Short-eared Owl

During one of my regular vigils of the Nene Valley from home this morning I was astonished to locate a Short-eared Owl circling high above the water meadows (Fotheringhay parish). It headed off west and I thought it that was the last I'd see of it as it continued to migrate. However at 10:30 it was back flying high again, this time heading south. Presumably looking to linger at some suitable habitat.

Unexpected garden tick: 109th species seen from home.

Waxwings still there

Waxwings, Fengate

Reported from Fengate this morning, I relocated a flock of 28 birds opposite Activity World this lunchtime. Virtually no light for photography unfortunately.

Canon Powershot A640 and Leica APO77 x20

Dark-bellied Brent Geese

An excellent day at Frampton Marsh RSPB in beautiful weather. Several Twite, Siskin and Redpoll flying over, a couple of Hen Harriers and plenty of waders.

Canon Powershot A640 and Leica APO77 x20 (flight shot with Canon EOS 500D 70-300mm IS USM).

Ravens again

Brilliant sight of two Ravens low over the house this morning. They were close together, 'interacting' and calling. The second time we have had them here now. Personally I'll be very happy for them to become a regular sight around here, but I think it's about time the county records committee dropped it as a description species.

Triller Thrillers

Well a Waxwing invasion seems to be well underway. Hundreds being reported acoss the country and three small flocks have flown over my office in Peterborough today. There should be many more to come as it is quite early in the winter to be seeing so many. Listen out for the distinctive trilling call.

The search is now on to find some lingering around here. Keep an eye on any berry-laden trees: they are especially fond of shopping centre carparks for some reason!

Birdwatching

Read about this trip, and many more, in this month's issue of Birdwatching magazine.

Fungi, Bedford Purlieus

Some fungi in Bedford Purlieus today. I have very little idea when it comes to fungi. Please comment if you can help with id. Thanks

Slow Worm

An excellent coming home present. This wonderful lizard was making its way slowly across the path in Leckford.

Slow Worm Anguis fragilis

HTC One X

West Penwith again

A few days in West Penwith staying at St Ives. Little birding but some sea movement and a couple of Balearic Shearwaters, some Common Scoters and plenty of auks and Gannets. The usual suspects on the cliffs.

Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe

Phonescoped with HTC One X and Leica APO77 x32

Whinchat, Beeby's BP

Found this morning on the long, low mound towards the east of the complex.

Digiscoped with Canon A640 and Swarowski ATM 80 HD x25-50

Common Scoter, Ferry Meadows

Found by Paul Taylor on Gunwade Lake and showing very well there at times.

Common Scoter Melanitta nigra, male

Phonescoped with HTC One X and Swarowski ATM 80 HD x25-50

Venice Lagoon

No Silver Wedding Anniversary trip to Venice would be complete without a jaunt out into the lagoon. This one produced a few waders and terns, the odd Cetti's Warbler and a Whinchat on Torcello, plus these:

Italian Sparrow Passer (domesticus) italiae

Short-tailed Blue Cupido argiades

Common Wall Lizard Podarcis muralis

Canon EOS500D 18-55mm IS USM

Redstart

Found by Matt Webb a few days ago between Overton and Lynch Lakes. A long stayer by local standards.

Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus

Phonescoped with HTC One X and Swarowski ATM 80 HD x25-50

Willow Hall Wanderings

Checked out the new workings along here today and there is a lot of potential. Just a Green Sandpiper and a Little Egret there today but clearly could attract more. Then walked up the footpath to Prior's Fen where this Wheatear showed well. Very little else going for it though.

Wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe

Phonescoped with the HTC One X and Swarowski ATM 80 HD x25-50

Long time no see

Ok so I haven't posted here for a while. In the meantime I've been to Cornwall where the extreme SW provided my best Basking Shark sightings to date. Up to 7 were in Whitesands Bay along with one or two seen elsewhere, some very close. A few Bottle-nosed and distant Common Dolphins were also good to see.

Birds were largely restricted to the residents and included a few Peregrine and the odd Chough. Balearic Shearwaters were passing on the stormiest day.

The insect highlights were Beautiful Demoiselle, Golden-ringed Dragonfly and masses of Red Admirals with a few Painted Ladies and a Clouded Yellow thrown in.


Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

Peregrine Falco peregrinus

(Pics taken with Canon EOS 500D 70-300mm IS USM)

Otherwise it's been very slow. A few waders at Bradley Fen have relieved the monotony and a Hummingbird Hawk-moth past my office window last Friday was unexpected. Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler have been visiting the garden from time to time.

Gelechia rhombella

A new moth for the garden last night and a scarce one. Nationally scarce (b) and only recorded from 7 squares in Hunts.

Gelechia rhombella

0411 Argyresthia goedartella 1
0800 Gelechia rhombella 1
0870x Oegoconia sp. 1
0874 Blastobasis lacticolella 1
0974 Argyrotaenia ljungiana 1
1293 Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella) 9
1305 Agriphila tristella 9
1309 Agriphila geniculea 6
1316 Catoptria falsella 1
1331 Water Veneer (Acentria ephemerella) 7
1342 Eudonia angustea 1
1344 Eudonia mercurella 1
1361 Pyrausta aurata 2
1398 Phlyctaenia coronata 1
1424 Endotricha flammealis 3
1713 Riband Wave (Idaea aversata) ab. remutata 7
1713 Riband Wave (Idaea aversata) typical 2
1738 Common Carpet (Epirrhoe alternata) 3
1937 Willow Beauty (Peribatodes rhomboidaria) 3
2007 Swallow Prominent (Pheosia tremula) 1
2031 White Satin Moth (Leucoma salicis) 1
2107 Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) 3
2111 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (Noctua janthe) 6
2293 Marbled Beauty (Cryphia domestica) 1
2303 Straw Underwing (Thalpophila matura) 1
2333 Large Nutmeg (Apamea anceps) 2
2343x Common Rustic agg. (Mesapamea secalis agg.) 1
2353 Flounced Rustic (Luperina testacea) 1

A few more moths

Chinese Character Cilix glaucata

Pebble Hook-tip Drepana falcataria

Pale Prominent Pterostoma palpina

Canon Powershot A640

0424 Bird-cherry Ermine (Yponomeuta evonymella) 2
0658 Carcina quercana 1
0977 Large Fruit-tree Tortrix (Archips podana) 1
0989 Timothy Tortrix (Aphelia paleana) 1
1053 Acleris hastiana 1
1261 Codling Moth (Cydia pomonella) 1
1293 Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella) 3
1304 Agriphila straminella 2
1305 Agriphila tristella 3
1344 Eudonia mercurella 2
1405 Mother of Pearl (Pleuroptya ruralis) 3
1424 Endotricha flammealis 4
1648 Pebble Hook-tip (Drepana falcataria) 1
1651 Chinese Character (Cilix glaucata) 1
1705 Dwarf Cream Wave (Idaea fuscovenosa) 2
1708 Single-dotted Wave (Idaea dimidiata) 1
1713 Riband Wave (Idaea aversata) ab. remutata 8
1713 Riband Wave (Idaea aversata) typical 2
1758 Barred Straw (Eulithis pyraliata) 2
1921 Scalloped Oak (Crocallis elinguaria) 2
1937 Willow Beauty (Peribatodes rhomboidaria) 1
2011 Pale Prominent (Pterostoma palpina) 1
2031 White Satin Moth (Leucoma salicis) 1
2044 Dingy Footman (Eilema griseola) 1
2047 Scarce Footman (Eilema complana) 1
2050 Common Footman (Eilema lurideola) 22
2061 Buff Ermine (Spilosoma lubricipeda) 1
2110 Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (Noctua fimbriata) 1
2111 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (Noctua janthe) 4
2128 Double Square-spot (Xestia triangulum) 1
2134 Square-spot Rustic (Xestia xanthographa) 1
2293 Marbled Beauty (Cryphia domestica) 1
2321 Dark Arches (Apamea monoglypha) 2
2343x Common Rustic agg. (Mesapamea secalis agg.) 3
2352 Dusky Sallow (Eremobia ochroleuca) 1
2381 The Uncertain (Hoplodrina alsines) 10

Southern Hawker

Many dragonflies about at Beeby's BP today. Far fewer birds than of late though.

Southern Hawker Aeshna cyanea

Digiscoped with Canon Powershot A640 and Swarowski ATM 80 HD x25-50

Sycamore

One of a mottly collection of moths trapped last night.

The Sycamore Acronicta aceris

Canon Powershot A640

0972 Dark Fruit-tree Tortrix (Pandemis heparana) 1
1036 Acleris forsskaleana 1
1037 Acleris holmiana 1
1063 Celypha striana 1
1293 Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella) 18
1305 Agriphila tristella 1
1316 Catoptria falsella 2
1344 Eudonia mercurella 2
1405 Mother of Pearl (Pleuroptya ruralis) 4
1415 Orthopygia glaucinalis 1
1424 Endotricha flammealis 1
1483 Phycitodes binaevella 1
1708 Single-dotted Wave (Idaea dimidiata) 1
1713 Riband Wave (Idaea aversata) ab. remutata 6
1860 Green Pug (Chloroclystis rectangulata) 1
1921 Scalloped Oak (Crocallis elinguaria) 1
2031 White Satin Moth (Leucoma salicis) 1
2044 Dingy Footman (Eilema griseola) 1
2050 Common Footman (Eilema lurideola) 9
2061 Buff Ermine (Spilosoma lubricipeda) 3
2077 Short-cloaked Moth (Nola cucullatella) 1
2089 Heart & Dart (Agrotis exclamationis) 2
2128 Double Square-spot (Xestia triangulum) 4
2279 The Sycamore (Acronicta aceris) 1
2293 Marbled Beauty (Cryphia domestica) 2
2333 Large Nutmeg (Apamea anceps) 21
2341 Cloaked Minor (Mesoligia furuncula) 1
2343x Common Rustic agg. (Mesapamea secalis agg.) 3
2381 The Uncertain (Hoplodrina alsines) 12
2382 The Rustic (Hoplodrina blanda) 2
2473 Beautiful Hook-tip (Laspeyria flexula) 1