Urban Foxes...

One of my 'goals' while down in Surrey was to try and get some photos of the Foxes that visit my sisters garden. Despite setting up the trail camera and spending a lot of time sat by the windows, it wasn't until I was about to head home that I finally managed got the chance I was after. Even though the light was fading quickly, I still managed to grab a few reasonable photos!!

 

Surely not...

While out and about in Surrey this morning in sub zero temperatures, I was very surprised to see two very little Egyptian Goslings. They could have only been a couple of days old!!!

 

 

One of the adults taking a wash!

Who's a pretty boy...

While staying at my sisters in Surrey, I saw several of these Ring-necked Parakeets, including at least four coming to the garden feeders.

Life in the fast lane...

While out and about on the Ceredigion coast today, I noticed this 'speedy' little Winkle making its way along the beach. I'm not too sure where he was heading, but I didn't have much hope for him getting there before the tide came back in!!

 

 

A bit creepy...

After recently finding out that Treecreepers roost in self made little hollows in the soft bark of Wellingtonia trees, I've been out on a bit of a mission trying to find them before they disappear off to breed. So far, 3 tree have been found with them roosting in with a total of 7 birds using them. Only 2 have been trapped and ringed so far as the others were just out of reach!! I will be going back for them.

 

 

3 little helpers...

Back up the lake again this evening, but this time with 3 little helpers  (3 of my nieces - Edie, Maisie and Megan) and dad. Despite it being a lot colder and dryer than the last 2 nights, several amphibians were still keen on trying to get to their breeding grounds.

 

We rescued a total of 13 Smooth Newts,

 

 

2 Common toads,

 

and amazingly, another male Great Crested Newt!!

Gentle giant...

Another trip to Llandod lake this evening as the conditions were perfect for amphibians to make there way from their hibernation spots to their breeding grounds. They were everywhere, and before long the bucket was full of Newts and Toads. After safely putting them in the water I started to walk back to the car, and stumbled across this giant!!

 

 

Great Crested Newts are and endangered and protected species, and it is ilegal to handle them without a license, unless they are in danger which this one was. So I quickly removed him from the middle of the road and placed him in the water.

 

All in all another successful evening, with a total of 25 Toads, 1 Frog, 1 Great Crested Newt and 39 Smooth Newts rescued.

 

On a rescue mission...

With the hills being to misty to go out and try ringing birds, so I decided to go to the lake in Llandrindod with dad to see if any Amphibians needed rescuing from the roads as they try and make their way to the lake to breed. It wasn't a wasted journey. After about half an hour of searching we had rescued 8 toads, 1 Frog and 22 (Smooth) Newts. 

 

 

Sunshine and Seals...

I was lucky enough to be working along the Ceredigion coast today in the glorious sunshine. It turns out that I wasn't the only one enjoying the sunny conditions. In a small alcove along the coast, a handful of Seals were also making the most of the sunny weather!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The coastal birds were also enjoying the weather, including this Fulmar and Black Redstart.

 

 

 

Tuf(ted) luck...

While killing a bit of time before footy today, I popped in to the hide at Llyn Coed y Dinas and was pleasantly surprised to see 4 Tufted Ducks close in, and even more surprising was that the sun was out, so I happily took a few snaps before having to chase a ball around for 90 mins!!