Saturday 22nd. October 2011

Another catch up post covering the last three days . A look for fungi around High Elms yesterday proved fruitless . Not a sign of any Magpie Fungus / Coprinus picaceus or Plums and Custard / Tricholomopsis rutilans , which would normally be showing now . In fact , there was very little fungi to be seen at all . Had it not been for three butterfly species being recorded , it would have been a totally wasted visit . Those three species were singles of Red Admiral , Speckled Wood , both of

which evaded the camera , and a Comma which did pose . All three were enjoying the sun in a sheltered corner of the Orchid Bank . On the way back home , I stopped for a look around the Farm lake . A Grey Heron lifted off as soon as I got there , but I did manage to get a shot of the Little

Grebe before that too disappeared into the reedbed . A distant view of a Common Buzzard being harried by the local Corvids was about the only other thing of note , until this plane approached and

started to make it's descent into Biggin Hill . I haven't seen this model before , nor do I know what model it is , but someone might ?
This morning , with skies still bright blue , although chilly , I headed to Bough Beech Reservoir , near Ide Hill . Since my last visit , the water level has dropped dramatically , meaning that the birds were a long way away from the causeway . A large flock of Greylag Geese were noisily occupying the area of the main reservoir , but the main interest seemed to be the culvert that connects to the small lake . Here , at least 6 Cormorants were feeding continuously , along with a couple of Little Egrets and three Grey Herons . One of the latter seemed to have found a 'hot spot' , right up against

the culvert entrance , and was making the most of it's find , seemingly catching small fish at every attempt . The only waders seen on this side of the causeway , was when a flock of Lapwing flew in , circled , and settled halfway down the reservoir . Just three Common Snipe were seen on the North lake , along with mumerous Mallard , a few Shoveler , and a good number of Teal , which included

this pair , who seemed to be sleeping off a late night . Just a single Winter Thrush was seen , first heard calling from the orchard , then appearing high above the reedbed on the North lake , but never

managing to show fully from behind foliage , except when it flew off over Winkworth Wood . As I watched it fly off , I caught a glimpse of another bird as it flew across the causeway . It was being chased by a Corvid , and I just managed to get three shots before it disappeared behind a large tree .

The first shot was useless , but the second above , shows a raptor with a protruding neck/head and a longish tail . The second shot has been lightened to try to show the underwing markings . I didn't even have time to get the binoculars on the bird , but have my own thoughts on the species , but would be grateful for other Blogger's views . As I made my way back to the car , a small flock of Linnets flew

 in and two perched in the scrub , the others having disappeared into the ground vegetation . Once again , the branches managed to get in the way . At the car , I could heat Teal 'whistling' beyond the hedge , and a had a look over . The males must have thought that this was Spring , as several were

displaying to one of a couple of females , very similar to Mandarin males , stretching and bobbing their heads .

And finally , just for Warren .

Whilst having breakfast on Thursday , before I went off hedgelaying , Carol asked , 'what's that bird

 on the feeder ?' . Admittedly she didn't have her glasses on , but this fat little Wood Mouse was what she was looking at . It was so engrossed in filling it's pouches that I managed to get upstairs for the

camera , open the patio doors , and almost close enough to stroke it . It was only when I tried to get a shot from around the other side of the feeder that it spotted me , and staggered off into the nearby hedge .