The animals on the green.

For the past month or so I have been watching the animals on my local patch a little closer than usual.
Having recently set up a camera trap it has given me an insight in to the creatures that venture out after dark. Every day critters like the Rabbit are pretty common. There isn't a day goes by without seeing one, although numbers are reducing. They run around playing chase oblivious to who is watching, then scurry off quick when they realise your there.

Bird life is varied from the usual Chaffinches and Robins to the lesser seen Whitethroat. I have even had a Spotted Flycatcher take bugs from my front door frame, while the door was open and I was sitting just three feet away! The Buzzards are regular visitors, as are the Kestrels too. They hunt in the field surrounding the green and produce some beautiful aerial displays. I have also found the roost site of the local Tawny Owls and was delighted to discover that they had three chicks. They are a hoot! But my birding highlight has to be the Barn Owl. It comes out at dusk every evening and I stand in the half light and watch him fly within feet of my head. So close I can almost touch him. He then hunts on the borders until the light fades and I can no longer see it. A true natural gem.

My camera has recently revealed a Fox that is more of a regular visitor than I first thought. He has visited almost every night. Rarely seen during daylight hours. A true country Fox.

I am still waiting to see the elusive Roe Deer but local neighbours have seen them nearby. Now if I could just catch one on camera.

My latest addition to the animals on the green is the Stoat. While on my way to retrieve the camera I stumbled across the cheeky Stoat playing around. He was very aware of my presence yet he didn't seem to care. He carried on scurrying regardless. I stayed where I was to let him play until he finally ran in to the hedge.

I must not forget the Bats too. They are a constant companion during my evening Owl watch and fly around my head catching moths and going about their business. Their aerial acrobatics are stunning. I even have them living in my loft. Pipistrelles being the commonest, but my loft Bat is a Brandts. Rare for this region apparently.

The animals on the green have provided me with heartwarming amusement and are a real treat to watch. I am very lucky to have them so close to my home and I can watch them at any time. They are all a welcome distraction from the pressures of work and watching the wildlife has a calming effect and help me to wind down after a busy day. Take a closer look around you and you can see the wonders of nature right on your own doorstep.

Spring walk at Austerfield.

Time for a bit of a blog.

Finally been able to get to the Mosaic reserve at the Austerfield study centre and have a decent walk around. It's been a while what with winter taking it's time to give up and let spring have a go.
I went the long way round and explored every path possible, starting at the main road beside the study centre and walking clockwise around the perimeter, then zig-zagged through the centre past all the ponds. So glad i did. So many birds calling and busy with their nests. Really excited to find a Cuckoo egg shell. Not heard it yet but the shell means they are laying somewhere within the reserve.

Down by the main pond the Carp were so busy top feeding they were oblivious to me getting to within a few feet of them. Slurping away around the weeds and looking like torpedo's. Great to see them. Although very disheartened to see so much rubbish left behind by fisherman. Take it home eh.
Ducks were plenty and enjoying the floods. I was also really pleased to come across a three foot Grass Snake basking in the sun before it slithered off into the undergrowth.

Saw plenty of Rabbits around with a few young. Multiple small birds including Blackcaps. Green Woodpeckers laughing their way through the woods. Also Buzzards circling overhead and Kestrels hovering in the nearby fields. Nothing obvious using the nest boxes dotted around but i didn't get close enough to study them and I didn't hang around long enough to see anything in and out so they may have occupants. Fingers crossed. The big gnarly Oaks coming in to leaf and the abundance of Birch gives this place a real atmospheric ambience. A real gem of a nature reserve. One you should try and visit. Make sure you walk every trail and look in every pond. Look up, and listen out. Wildlife is all around you. But please, leave only footprints and take your litter home.

Thanks for the read.