Wayne Bull's Wildlife Blog.

Monday, 7 December 2015

Farmoor 7th December

I spent a few hours at the reservoir today to catch up with the Great northern diver,Red necked grebe and Grey Phalaropes. The Diver was seen on the S.west side of FII showing quite well. The bird had what looked like fishing line hanging from it's bill and was shaking it's head quite a lot. I see Terry Sherlock later in the day who had taken a few photo's of the bird after me which showed the bird free of any line so it must of shaken it off. The 2 Phalaropes were seen on the N.west side of FI the Red necked grebe was on the west side of FI.

Great northern diver

Grey phalarope

Grey phalaropes

Grey phalarope

Cormorant

Great crested grebe

Red necked grebe

Coot

Greylag goose

Greylag goose bathing

Carrion crow

Saturday, 28 November 2015

Farmoor Grey Phalarope 28th November

Grey Phalarope

Grey Phalarope with Stickleback

Grey Phalarope

Friday, 2 October 2015

Willow Emerald, 29th September

On Tuesday a trip to the RSPB Reserve Strumpshaw fen finally added Willow Emerald to my Odonata list. 5 were seen around the reserve, 3 females and 2 Males. A few Common darter were also on the wing. 1 Chinese water deer was seen near fenn hide.

Female Willow Emerald

Male Willow Emerald

Monday, 31 August 2015

Southern Oak bush cricket, 31st August

Found a male Southern oak bush cricket in the house this morning.1st record of this species for me!

Southern oak bush cricket

Sunday, 9 August 2015

Yoesden Bank, Bucks, 9th August

We decided to head for Yoesden bank in the Chilterns today. It's a reserve that I've never been to before but always wanted to go to. The main reason was to see if we could find any Great green bush crickets that occur here. After a bit of a walk around I managed to find a cracking female one on some bushes. Adonis blue also occur here but no 2nd generations were seen today. A few Chalkhill blues were flying around and 3 Small blue were also seen. A striped lychnis moth caterpillar was seen feeding on Mullien.

Great green bush cricket

Small blue

Striped lychnis caterpillar

Tuesday, 28 July 2015

Red backed Shrike,Churn 28th July.A county tick!

Today I managed to finally add Red backed shrike to my county list. Whenever they have turned up in the county in the past I always seem to be on holiday or at some event. I missed the one that was on Otmoor last year as I was in Devon. The news of this bird didn't appear until Saturday evening but I still decided to go for it. Myself and Julie arrived on site around 8pm but unfortunately I missed the bird by a few minutes as it had gone to roost which was slightly disappointing ;-)! The bird was seen again on Sunday but it was too wet for me and had other commitments. There was no news of the bird on Monday until the afternoon which by then it was to late for me to go. So today after work I decided to just go and hope it was there. Fortunately when I arrived it was on full view!!!

Red backed Shrike

Tuesday, 30 June 2015

Radley lakes & Barton fields Tues 30th June

I had a walk around Radley lakes and Barton fields today mainly for the Dragonflies and Damselflies. A few Variable damselflies were still flying around the small pool near barton fields. I then walked along the river towards Radley lakes where I came across 6+ White-legged damselflies,all males in the vegetation next to the bank.

White-legged damselfly

Pyramidal Orchid

Damselflies/Dragonflies seen today:-

Banded demoiselle
White-legged damselflies 6+
Azure damselfly
Common blue damselfly
Variable damselflies 2+
Blue tailed damselfly
Red eyed damselfly
Brown hawker 2
Emperor dragonfly 5+
Four spotted chaser 10+
Black tailed skimmer 15+
Ruddy darter 10+ mostly Tenerals

Butterflies seen today:-

Large skipper
Brimstone
Small white
Large white
Common blue
Small tortoiseshell
Red admiral
Comma
Speckled wood
Marbled white
Meadow brown
Ringlet

Orchids seen today:-

Common spotted orchid
Southern marsh orchid
Pyramidal orchid
Bee orchid, Var:- "Belgarum & Apifera"