Telinga Microphone Test

August 15, 2015

Trying out my new Telinga Microphone today for the first time in the field, really loving the warm tones in the mid-high range which is exactly what I need it for. That said, the microphone records really flat accurate lows/low mids so for those quiet background days I'll be happy to leave recordings unfiltered. Some really interesting sounds happening in this mashup, firstly starting off with what I think is a Meadow Grasshopper, secondly a sound I've never experienced before but it's actually 2 Hoverflies having a 'sing off' with their wings. I assume that this is a way of showing a female how strong their wings by demonstrating how high pitched the sound they can make. This is for sure,Natural selection in its subtleties. Lastly, a dark bush cricket with an unidentified 'cricket' sound which I'll be looking into asap.

In other news, we had such an amazing flyby from a Juvi Goshawk today! Also had a Migrant Hawker in the same area along with plenty of Grasshopper activity. Stopped off at Llandegfedd in the evening to see 3 Kingfishers hunting on the pump stream and starting to get flocks of Goosander coming into the bay late in the evening just before it gets dark

Odd Weekend Out

August 9, 2015

If there was one thing I've learned this weekend, it's to stay with what your familiar with this time of year, if you'd like to get better pictures that is. I ventured to a few different sights this weekend, Magor Marsh, Forest Farm, WWT Llanelli and Parc Slip, all in a bid to explore new locations to broaden my species list this year. Although all these locations were beautiful and diverse, I wished I stayed home and worked my local patch. Not only would I have got better photographs but I would have had more time in the field. I really don't think I made the most of the sunlight we had on Saturday and a full rainy/cloudy day on Sunday really made me realise how much that sun makes a difference to our wildlife activity. At WWT Llanelli there wasn't a single Dragonfly in sight! That said, we spent more time exploring the place than digging.

Reproduction

July 30, 2015

After yesterdays successful session on the Canal, I had to try it again. No sign of that Grasshopper Warbler but on the Butterfly count, the patch produced yet again! I had 2 sightings at different times and slightly different area's of Small Copper, for which the most part is pretty rare these days in Gwent.. To see 2 in one day is pretty good and an indicator that the sight may be good for that butterfly for whatever reasons..(right temperature, right food plants/habitat etc). All this is in vein however because these fields will be completely extinct and replaced with houses. My Terrapin Friend 'Fred' was out in the Sun again today and actually allowed me to get pretty darn close today! I could reach out and grab him if I wanted to! (perhaps I should have)?...I kind of like his presence now if I'm honest, I know it's sad but I welcome seeing him on the Canal. If only they didn't cause so much damage to our ecosystem. A Kingfisher made a short appearance on the Canal which seemed to be using the wall as a perch, which is all it really has. I'm going to use that lack of perch and put my own there so that it has something to use and who knows, maybe one day i'll be well hidden enough for it to not notice me and I'll get that shot I'm still waiting for. Our local Sparrowhawks and Buzzards both managed to fledge their chicks today also! The Sparrowhawk chicks (2) were flying around the tree tops and making a hell of a racket. The buzzard chick (1) was doing similar things while practising landing on thin branches.

South Sebastopol Patch produces!

July 29, 2015

Not for lack of trying! But I failed to get a photograph of a Grasshopper warbler on my patch! It's probably just passing thru so not confirmed breeding record but this general area has been untouched by birders including myself since I've moved here, so you never know! The habitat looked really good for Grasshopper Warbler with the Canal pretty close for water and plenty of scrubland. This so happens to be the only meadow in the area that hasn't been cut yet this year and clearly it is producing the goods. Also had Common Blue, Holly Blue, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Speckled Wood and a couple 5 Spot Burnet Moths. A lot of movement today from the Swifts and House Martins and Swallows which are already starting to move south. I've heard that a few Swallows are already starting their second brood though so I'm sure we'll have a few sticking around right into August, maybe even September for a select late few.

South Sebastopol Canal

July 3, 2015

Lots of activity on the Canal today! Over 50 swifts gathered at the lock for a drink and feeding above the meadows before moving on south. Lots of Dragonfly activity. Common Whitethroats were a plenty with lots of chicks around. Also spotted a Redkite high in the sky.

F Emperor and Common Blue Damselfly 3rd July.jpg

South Sebastopol

June 30, 2015

Failed miserably to repeat my award winning photograph of the swift drinking.. Reminds me just how lucky I was at the time to actually get the shot in focus. With a different lens and camera, I cannot seem to get the flight shots i'm after. That said, there were still plenty of other things to photograph. The insect life in the surrounding meadows is incredible. I'm still discovering new species, like this Pebble Prominent Moth Caterpillar (that was way too hard to ID! I need better books..)

Pebble Prominent Caterpillar REedit 30th June.jpg

Sebastopol & Llandegfedd

June 4, 2015

Today was a memorable day! Absolutely beautiful weather and plenty of fantastic wildlife showing really well for the camera. Lots of species of Damselfly on the canal already making the most of that warm sun, including this years first Emperor Dragonflies which are the first to emerge out of the larger Dragonflies. Llandegfedd's trip was short but wow! What a time! Some good and bad news however, the good news came in the form a Tawny Owl! She/He was hunting in the day time! Must be making up for the terrible weather we've had in the last couple days as it does have chicks to feed. The female Mandarin with her 4 chicks looked to be doing well until I examined the photos and it looks like she has a fishing hook stuck in her shoulder... Just in time to show Welsh Water at an official meeting with myself and the heads. Wish me luck! I have a full blown presentation ready for this meeting and I'm hoping that I'll have some good news to share with you as a result. There are a few exciting things happening at Llandegfedd, some of which, I can't even tell you!

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