Wednesday 25 September 2019

Out and About

Since we've been back from holiday we've only had chance for a couple of hours out here and there, visiting Rodley Nature Reserve and Fairburn Ings. Though at the moment work is busy, stressful and exhausting, which is not inspiring me to do much of anything right now.

A couple of hours at Rodley and it was a beautiful morning, quite peaceful and nice to escape for a little while.




There were lots of Bees and Hoverflies around, some of them were so laden with pollen, it's a wonder they could fly!





Fairburn the following week was not quite as sunny and I didn't take many photos, it was pretty quiet bird wise but it was still a good morning out and we followed it up with Fish and Chips!





The garden is as busy as ever, sitting watching the birds early morning before anyone else is up is my favourite thing, though the days are getting shorter so it's getting to the point i'm up before the birds now!

We've had lots of moths and butterflies in the garden all summer


Large White


Comma


Red Admiral


Our Fuschia looks like it's died off every year but then it comes back bigger than ever


This spider was on this poor bee in record time, spinning it into it's web before eventually carrying it off somewhere, it was fascinating to see.


We've had the odd Sparrowhawk around the garden, i've yet to see one catch anything though!


We always have a few passing Warblers through the garden at this time of year but these past few weeks since August have been the best yet with Willow Warblers and Chiffchaff almost daily and at one point a Whitethroat too, this is only the second one in the garden in all the years we've been here.



Our Magpie family has done well they visit the garden daily now including this beautiful bird below, the photo doesn't capture just how stunning the green on the tail is!


Robin


Goldfinch have done well too, lots of youngsters, I ended up having to put an extra feeder out for them, we've had up to 30 in the garden sometimes. 


We're still having visits from 2 or 3 Hedgehogs every night, 2 of them are very small so we think they are youngsters. At least one of the adult ones seems to sleep behind our shed during the day.
 

Of course we still have a Squirrel though not as often at the moment, which does save on the mess!


I have had a couple of walks in the Woods and parks - of course my walk to work is pretty scenic. There's very much an autumnal feel to everything now, conkers and leaves dropping, a chill early morning and some lovely misty sun too. 


Blackbird sunning itself





Hopefully things at work will ease off over the next few weeks and i'll be out and about a bit more. 

12 comments:

  1. Good to hear that you took some time to get out for a while, Pam, and you obviously had a fine time. It is really encouraging to read of the pollinators so loaded down with their precious cargo. It seems that even a glimmer of good news as it relates to the environment is hard to come by these days. I hope that your work load diminishes and you will be sending us more reports soon.

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    1. Thanks David. Any bit of good news is a bonus!

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  2. I am so sorry it has been so hectic at work for you - I do hope things calm down soon.

    Lovely photos and the reserves look good. I always enjoy reading about your garden wildlife and it is great news about the hedgehogs :) There was a sparrowhawk kill in our garden a few days ago - I think a Wood Pigeon or Collared Dove. The sparrowhawk must have been disturbed because it had left the rather gruesome well plucked behind :( Thankfully it must have come back to retrieve it as by the next day it had gone!

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    1. Thanks Caroline, no sign of it at the moment, it's one thing after another!!

      It's quite something to see a Sparrowhawk make the kill despite how gruesome it is, nice it cleaned up after itself though :o

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  3. I hope all that wonderful nature helped keep your spirit in tact so you can make it through work! Im happy to be retired and I imagine you will be too when your time comes! The migration seems to be slow here, but I hope a few new ones will pass through.

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    1. Thanks Sondra, I do make the most of my lovely walk to work, it helps set me up for the day. Retirement seems so far away!! I'm hearing reports of our wintering birds coming in so I should start seeing some around soon!

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  4. Just an hour out and about in the fresh air and seeing nature around helps when things become stressful. You have taken some lovely photos and seen some wonderful wildlife. Great to have the hedgehogs in your garden and I love your photo of one of them:)

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    1. It does, that's very true :) Thanks Rosie, I love having the Hedgehogs!

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  5. Pam, sorry to hear you're having a stressful time at work. Getting yourself outside immersed in nature will definitely help your mind & wellbeing! Even if it's just 5 minutes in your garden, which looks lovely. I love the magpie on your feeder, gorgeous colours.
    Take care of yourself :)

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    1. Thanks Sharon, it really does help doesn't it, moments to grasp with both hands I think!

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  6. Beautiful photos. Even just half an hour outside can make a bif difference when you're busy! I'm attempting Wild October this year - I did it three years ago on twitter and fancied doing it again, probably instagram this time but I may tweet as well. Basically just an autumn version on 30 Days Wild.

    That magpie photo is stunning by the way, the colours show up so well!

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    1. Thanks Louise. Oh i'll look out for that I may try and join in! The Magpie is a beauty!

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