Something a little different...

I'm sure you've seen enough Starling pics on this blog by now, but I've been down the roost again the past couple of evenings (making the most of them before the disappear!). So I thought I'd do something a little different with the pics. Hope you like them.

 

 

 

 

  

What a pipit...

After a trip to the coast to check on a few old Barn Owl site, and put up a box at a new site, myself and Tony decided to go and have a look at the Water Pipit that had been in residence at Ynyslas for the past couple of weeks. Sure enough it was still there, and giving the local Rock Pipits a hard time. Water Pipits are an uncommon visitor to Wales, so to see one is great, but to have such great views is even better!!

 

Below is a Rock Pipit for comparison, funny to think these to species have not long been separated, considering how different they look!!

 

This Ringed Plover was also keen on having his photo taken.

Brrrrrrrr...

Ok, so technically it's not wildlife, but it was pretty wild up on the hills of mid Wales today. I was amazed how much ice was still up there!!

 

 

 

WOW...

I haven't really got any other words to describe this evenings Starling roost at Llandegley!!

 

Double Dutch...

As it was my last day in Holland me and Sam decided to go and feed the ducks at the pond near her place in Utrecht this morning. When we got there, there were hundreds of Black-headed Gulls and me being me started to check them to see if any had rings on! To my amazement 2 of them were wearing rings.

 

 After several pieces of bread had been strategically thrown, I was able to get enough photos of the rings to work out their full numbers and find out that one has come all the way from Lithuania and the other from Finland!!!

 

Sam also managed to find some very hungry Coots, that didn't mind doing some acrabatics for their food!!

 

 



Oostvaardersplassen...

Today myself and Sam took a bike/train trip to go and see the Oostvardersplassen reserve as it boasts a wide variety of wildlife. Depite much of the reserve being closed off to the public, there were still several view points where you could look over it. From them we saw several of the Roe Deer and Konik Horses that roam wild there.

 

 

The waters there also house several different species of fish, including these carp which were over a  foot in length (but aparrently 'small' according to on local!!)!

 

Fantastic finches...

Over the past few days, there's been a big increase in the numbers of finches visiting the garden feeders. So I decided it was about time I put the traps out to catch some of them. So far (just in the last 4 mornings) I've managed to trap and ring 28 Goldfinches, 7 Lesser Redpolls and 2 Siskins. Hopefully over the next few weeks the numbers will increase. A Belgian ringed Siskin found in a garden only a couple of miles away the other day, so who know's what might turn up??

 

(adult male Goldfinch)

(Lesser Redpoll)

(female Siskin)

(my two little helpers)

Expect the unexpected...

While out checking Dipper boxes, and putting up a few new ones with Tony today, he noticed this tree with a huge hole in it and said 'that looks good far a Barn Owl'. After a bit of inventive climbing, I found this cheeky chappy roosting in there.

 

 

Barn Owls are great birds to catch anytime, even more so when your not expecting it!!

 

Soaked, but worth it...

This evening I did my final check of Dippers (as they will be building their nests before long). The rivers were a lot higher than expected, and my wellies turned out to be pretty in affective!! Dispite this, I still managed to catch 3 new adult Dippers, 2 of which were a pair and had already started build their nest.

 

(you'll have to excuse the cheesey grin!!)

 

I also recued a couple of these little fellas from the middle of the roads.

 

Sunset Starlings...

Another trip to Llandegley this evening, and not only did the starlings perform, but the sun decided to put on a good show too!!

 

 

 (Goshawk choosing it's dinner!)

Spring is on the way...

While out and about trapping and ringing more birds this evening, I saw this little chap scurrying around one of the fields. I don't usually see many until March/April time! What with this and seeing my first Frog and Caterpillar of the year this week as well, is this a sign that warmers weather is on it's way? Other mammals seen this evening included 1-2 Foxes, 4 Hares and 50+ Rabbits.