I'm not sure what happened to September, it's been a mad flurry of painting, flooring and finishing! I've been able to unpack all my books onto my new shelves (with my nature books taking up the top shelf and spreading to the 2nd!) and can finally sit down in my spare time. This also means I'll be able to venture out again!
Today we headed to Collingham to try and spot a Hoopoe that has made it's home around the cricket pitch over the past couple of weeks - it wasn't difficult to find, we could spot the ring of birders/photographers from the road with the bird putting on quite a show in the middle, it doesn't seem too bothered by people. We stood at the back and watched a while as it ate a lot and stretched a couple of times showing off it's crest. It's a life bird for me and the first time one has been recorded in Leeds in 40 years.
We had a quick walk in Beck Wood nearby afterwoods, it has a picnic area by the river Wharfe and then a path follows the beck around by the houses - it reminded me our local woods and even had Nuthatch!
Of course my garden wildlife is going strong and we've added a new species to the list with a Common Frog. Not in our little pond but hiding in a mossy gap in the wall nearby, I accidentally disturbed it when I was tidying up the ivy - luckily I'm always careful as it's full of bugs and I don't like to cut too much! I didn't get a photo but it's enough to know there's at least one around!
One of our Hedgehog brought two youngsters into the garden, the first time we've been able to say for sure they had babies, no doubting it with the size of them, they have been feeding up nicely for winter. At one point we were getting 6 in the garden at dusk now we're seeing 2 or 3.
The Goldfinch have been feeding young right into September and are now gathering in charms every day, we've had up to 27 at once, which is a record. A Greenfinch has snuck in with them on the feeders a few times too. We've had Chiffchaff and Willow Warblers passing through, they fly with the Tit flocks and always seem to pull up short in confusion at the feeders! Coal Tits have also given us a new record with 5 appearing together a few times but recently they seem to spend more time chasing each other off.
Goldfinch
One of the squirrels discovered the window feeder and sits at it like it's at a breakfast bar! They have been burying nuts everywhere including all the plant pots and even in the ivy at the side of the gate.
We've had a few visits to the Woods finally seeing a Nuthatch last month, I thought they had abandoned the place after not seeing one since December. This past week or so there has been a lot of Fungi appearing.
A sugar water feeder by the bird screen
I'm on the look out now for Redwings, especially on my way to work, the local park is always home to a few........it doesn't seem that long ago I was watching for Swifts though.......
