Out and About at Last.
19th September 2020
I’ve posted very little on this website during this spring and summer, in fact it’s probably been the least active time since the site started. Spring birding in the Beacons was essentially ruined by ‘Covid19’and ironically as finally the restrictions were lifted the spring was over and it was too late for one of my favourite spring birds, the Cuckoo. I have really missed seeing them this spring, but I must put it into perspective – it could have been far worse!!
I have however, been very busy at home tackling many DIY jobs – I started by fixing a water leak in a chamber that feeds our septic tank, (not a nice job) replacing an old clay soil pipe and concreting a new base. Then I erected a new fence around the property, knocking in new fence posts with a massive sledge hammer and post thumper borrowed from my neighbour. That was hard graft and I take my hat off to those guys who do that for a living! Next I painted the whole of our house from chimney to floor with a mega coat of masonry paint also hard and awkward work. Then I painted all the fences, rails, two garden sheds and a large garden wall. I then went indoors to remove the existing double oven and ceramic hob in our kitchen and fit a new oven and induction hob, which were a slightly different size – so carpentry and electrical work was needed. Finally in an effort to combat the guttering on our house filling up with falling leaves in the autumn I fitted circular brushes to all the guttering and cable tied them in to resist the wind. I hope it does the job because removing leaves from guttering off a ladder is a messy and horrible job.
Finally now I’m free, and in anticipation of some autumn birding. The weather at the moment is very nice indeed and Susan and I went walking this week and finally there are good numbers of Dragonflies on the wing – mainly Migrant Hawkers.
Also nice to see a few Black Darters.
The migrant Hawkers are out in their hundreds down at Llangors Lake, it’s always the same with them this time of year.
We also walked along a track in an upland deciduous wood and were very pleased to hear a Willow Tit calling, a very rare occurrence in the Beacons and indeed nationally these days.
A comparison between Willow and Marsh Tits.
Willow Tit.
Willow Tits usually favour damper areas around young trees.
They usually have a more Matt black cap which extends down to the mantle.
There is also an appearance of a pale wing panel
caused by light fringing of the wing feathers.
They also usually have a larger bib which is less defined than the Marsh Tit.
Their plumage is also warmer and more buff on the flanks.
Call is a very conspicuous nasal Chee Chee Chee
Marsh Tit.
Marsh Tits usually prefer more mature deciduous trees.
They usually have a glossier black cap which is less extensive than
the Willow Tit.
Marsh Tits always have a pale spot on the upper mandible which is never seen
on the Willow Tit - diagnostic!!
Their call always starts with an explosive Pichu.
As we walked along a small path off the main forest track we came across a cluster of attractive Fly Agaric mushrooms - always nice to see.
Care is needed, however, because as is well documented, although attractive these fungi are hallucinogenic and quite poisonous!
It is great to be out again and let’s look forward to a nice autumn with some good photographic opportunities.
I have however, been very busy at home tackling many DIY jobs – I started by fixing a water leak in a chamber that feeds our septic tank, (not a nice job) replacing an old clay soil pipe and concreting a new base. Then I erected a new fence around the property, knocking in new fence posts with a massive sledge hammer and post thumper borrowed from my neighbour. That was hard graft and I take my hat off to those guys who do that for a living! Next I painted the whole of our house from chimney to floor with a mega coat of masonry paint also hard and awkward work. Then I painted all the fences, rails, two garden sheds and a large garden wall. I then went indoors to remove the existing double oven and ceramic hob in our kitchen and fit a new oven and induction hob, which were a slightly different size – so carpentry and electrical work was needed. Finally in an effort to combat the guttering on our house filling up with falling leaves in the autumn I fitted circular brushes to all the guttering and cable tied them in to resist the wind. I hope it does the job because removing leaves from guttering off a ladder is a messy and horrible job.
Finally now I’m free, and in anticipation of some autumn birding. The weather at the moment is very nice indeed and Susan and I went walking this week and finally there are good numbers of Dragonflies on the wing – mainly Migrant Hawkers.
Also nice to see a few Black Darters.
The migrant Hawkers are out in their hundreds down at Llangors Lake, it’s always the same with them this time of year.
We also walked along a track in an upland deciduous wood and were very pleased to hear a Willow Tit calling, a very rare occurrence in the Beacons and indeed nationally these days.
A comparison between Willow and Marsh Tits.
Willow Tit.
Willow Tits usually favour damper areas around young trees.
They usually have a more Matt black cap which extends down to the mantle.
There is also an appearance of a pale wing panel
caused by light fringing of the wing feathers.
They also usually have a larger bib which is less defined than the Marsh Tit.
Their plumage is also warmer and more buff on the flanks.
Call is a very conspicuous nasal Chee Chee Chee
Marsh Tit.
Marsh Tits usually prefer more mature deciduous trees.
They usually have a glossier black cap which is less extensive than
the Willow Tit.
Marsh Tits always have a pale spot on the upper mandible which is never seen
on the Willow Tit - diagnostic!!
Their call always starts with an explosive Pichu.
As we walked along a small path off the main forest track we came across a cluster of attractive Fly Agaric mushrooms - always nice to see.
Care is needed, however, because as is well documented, although attractive these fungi are hallucinogenic and quite poisonous!
It is great to be out again and let’s look forward to a nice autumn with some good photographic opportunities.