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| 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 |
| 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
| 30 Days Wild is a challenge created by The Wildlife
Trust in which participants are invited to do something wild
everyday throughout June. A simple mission to help reconnect people
with nature. This year I have decided to have a 'Big Month', I hope to spot as many different species of bird as possible in 30 days! |
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Ducklings and nesting Blue Tits! |
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First day of #30DaysWild and my 'Big Month' I spotted 19 different species of bird!My highlights were 9 cute ducklings and their attentive mum.Watching blue tit parents coming and going from their tucked away nest in a wall.I spotted a pretty little Wren, who posed beautifully and just long enough for me to photograph. I think it's one of the best photos I have ever taken of a wren!
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On the hunt for a Nightingale! |
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One of my lovely neighbours mentioned in passing that they thought there was a Nightingale in the neighbourhood. I was polite but sceptical, we are not in the right geographical area not have the right habitat for Nightingales. But nature is unpredictable and the walk is through beautiful countryside, I thought I'd check it out. I was unsurprised when I didn't find the Nightingale, however it was a pleasant walk and I saw lots of other birds.One bird of note was a grey Jackdaw. Last year I saw it twice in the area, it is great to see this unusual distinctive individual still alive and doing well for its self!I also watched a Blackcap singing its heart out. Such an elegant bird with an exquisite song.An honorary mention goes to a handsome red-headed cardinal beetle. |
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Quick trip to the supermarket! |
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I needed to get some food in, so I headed out to the supermarket. I had hoped to do a little car park birding, but clearly the birds were feeling shy today. I didn't even see a Pied Wagtail! I hope I get to add that to my list later on in the month!I did see a Crow, Collared Dove and a few very fast flying Black-headed Gulls, I also heard two birds singing, a Wren and a Blackcap.My highlight was on the way home, I pulled over to watch a Buzzard riding the wind with graceful ease. |
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A day out, with birding on the side! |
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I had a day out today, I did a bit of bird watching on the side.I saw my first Swift and House Martin of the year! I also saw Swallows too. Though I didn't manage to get a photo, all were flying so fast.I also saw Starlings, Coal tits, a Raven, a Kestrel, a Grey Heron and both a Pied Wagtail and a Grey Wagtail.It was a nice fun bit of birding! |
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Appreciating pigeons! |
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I have a real soft spot for pigeons and doves, I think they are very under appreciated.As you can imagine, I was rather chuffed to add a Stock Dove to my list for the month. I also saw (among other species) both Collared Dove and Wood Pigeons. Which means I saw three of the five species of pigeon and dove in the UK.Pigeons and doves are special birds, being the some of the few birds to produce milk for their young. They are also able to suck up water to drink (most other birds use gravity to help them see swallow). If you take a closer look, they are very pretty and very colourful birds.Pigeons definitely deserve appreciation! |
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Red-legged Partridge and Long-tailed Tits! |
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I was thrilled to add Red-legged Partridge to my list. I was in the car and the birds were safe on the verge, so while I got a good look at the pretty partridges I was unable to get a photo.I was able to photograph the Long-tailed Tits that I saw on an evening walk. Travelling along a hedgerow, constantly contact calling as they went.
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Warbling Whitethroats! |
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I added Yellowhammer to my list, taking the count to 44 species! I didn't get a great photo today, but I hope I will another day.I have not seen so many Whitethroats in a long while, not since doing my dissertation ... on Whitethroats! They all posed so nicely for me, very pretty!
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A surprising tern! |
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When I left the house today, I knew where I could see a Mute Swan family. An extra tick for my list and an adorable sight to see. Mum and Dad with three cygnets, gorgeous!What I wasn't expecting to see a Common Tern, but one circled over head three times, dove into the canal and then flew over a high hedgerow disappearing out of sight. I don't get to see Terns very often, so it was a thrill to see! Unfortunately my photos are far from brilliant, but they make an ok record shot.
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A lovely way to start the day! |
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I enjoyed an early morning walk today, I managed to add 3 more bird species to my list. A single Tufted Duck amongst some reeds, while a Sedge Warbler sang nearby. A little later I saw a Mistle Thrush.I also got to watch both a Reed Bunting and a Wren singing their little hearts out, spotted a bold juvenile Robin, saw a pair of Linnet fly along the top a hedgerow.It was a lovely way to start the day! |
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Magpie left a feather |
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Day 10 of my 'Big Month' and I have spotted 52 species so far, the latest being a Herring Gull.I found a beautiful feather left behind by a magpie. |
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Tested out a new gadget |
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| I'm not always able to carry my camera or my
binoculars with me. So I have investigate telescopic mobile phone
camera lens. There are a few on the market at different quality and
price levels. I found an affordable second-hand one to try out, it
also doubles for a monocular. It has been interesting trying this lens out, testing out its capabilities. As I expected, it is no substitute for my proper camera or binoculars but it will be useful to have handy in my pocket. Whether I use it to confirm an ID as a monocular or to take a record shot as a camera phone lens. What is a bonus is that is came in a case with a bag, lens cloth, tripod, wide angle lens, fish-eye lens and most importantly a macro-lens. Though the macro-lens is a spare but it will be very, very useful. I will get a lot of fun bird watching and bug hunting down with this little kit! |
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 Without telescopic lens
With telescopic lens
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Garden Warbler |
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| I was wonderfully surprised to hear and then
see not one but two Garden Warblers. I have only ever seen one and
that was years ago, so to an encounter with two today was very cool! I was also chuffed to spot a Sparrowhawk flying along side my car, impressively fast!
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Who's watching who? |
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| Though I didn't spot any extra species for my 'Big
Month', I of course enjoyed my bird watching. Birds are beautiful, even if you might see them every day. It is always worth stopping to watch them, see how they behave and how they look. Sometimes they may watch you back! That is what happened to me today when I encountered a lone crow, both of us rooted to the spot and just looking at each other. Minutes passed before we both decided to go on our way. It was a wonderful moment to share with a gorgeous bird. I have also noticed that every time I return home, I am greeted by a Swallow who sits on the telephone wire outside my home. It's chatting call makes it sound happy to see me, I am definitely happy to see my new feathered friend. |
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A restful day |
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| I had a restful, chilled day.
I finished a new friendship bracelet with a bird pattern, using colours for a tropical parrot look. It will go nicely with the one I made a few weeks back that is more coastal in colour. If you want give this pattern a go, here is the link: https://www.braceletbook.com/patterns/normal/71066/ I also had a wonderful read of J.A. Baker's The Peregrine. It is most definitely a wild read! |
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No peace for a lone Buzzard! |
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| I felt sorry for this Buzzard, all it wanted was a
rest. The resident Jackdaws were not having any of it. They mobbed
it out of their home turf!
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Pied Wagtail |
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| A Pied Wagtail stopped long enough for me
to admire it. Such a pretty little bird, I have a real soft
spot for these lovely birds.
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A Robin's song! |
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| In a busy park, I had a personal serenade from
a beautiful Robin!
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Nice weather for Ducklings and teeny-tiny frogs! |
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Some wonderful refreshing rain today. I have no doubt I wasn't alone in my relief and relish of the cooling showers. I went out to enjoy the weather and saw some adorable Ducklings with their Mum. I also spotted a teeny-tiny frog! |
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His eye is on the Sparrow ... |
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| Today I spent a lovely afternoon watching the local
House Sparrows. Small, scrappy and special birds.
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Baby Birds! |
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| I haven't seen a new species of bird in a few days,
but I am very happy to say that I have spotted 56 species so far
this month. While there where no new species, there were new birds... baby birds! I saw lots of fledglings today and some very hard working attentive parents!
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And now for something completely different .... a jumping spider! |
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| While I did do my essential birding for the day
(you never know when a new species will show up), a little jumping
spider was the highlight for the day. I felt something on my hand and came eye-to-eye with the cute little creature. It used its padipalps to wipe its eyes! very adorable. As it explored my hand and then my arm, I was able to film it. The video is below. I hope you enjoy watching my new friend as much as I did! |
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More Pigeons ... Lots of Pigeons! |
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| I went out to find a Peregrine Falcon today, I knew
an urban spot where I had a good chance to see one as I had seen
them there many times before. Unfortunately, not today! However, I still got to add another species to my list - a Feral Pigeon! Lots and lots of Feral Pigeons! I had a great time watching and photographing them. There was one stunning pure white pigeon with huge eyes, quite beautiful! (I will note here that if I see a Rock Dove later on in the month, that will superseded its feral cousin) I also spotted a nesting Wood Pigeon, it was high up and safe but still carefully eyeing me up! A gorgeous juvenile Blackbird showed up and posed beautifully for me! I must give an honourable mention to the Grey Squirrels, they are lovely and fun to watch. I headed into town and in a charity shop I found a bird book from North America. I do enjoy bird books from other countries, its a fascinating window into another world of wildlife! |
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Tameside Local Nature Reserve |
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| Today I visited Tameside Local Nature Reserve,
right in the middle of Tamworth. Its a little gem, beautiful and
packed full of bird life. Ideal for added a few extra bird species
to my 'Big Month' list and have a lovely wild walk. It is a small lake with a few islands, perfect for nesting water birds. Black-Headed Gulls, Mute Swans, Coots, a pair of Oystercatchers and several species of duck all take full advantage of ideal home. I saw so many duckings, gooslings and gull chicks, many more brooding birds. This is a place I will visit again and again. |
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Midnight strolls and walking in the rain |
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| Last night I stayed up way past my bedtime to take
a midnight stroll to see if I could find an owl. Clutching a torch,
I quietly headed out in the dark, I was lucky enough to see a Barn
Owl and then hear a Tawny Owl! There lots and lots of moths along
the country lanes as well as some very well fed bats. Well worth the
late night! After a late night, I had a late start, but I still managed to get out and enjoy the cool weather. I walked along the canal and was suddenly surrounded by noise. I watched a pair of Wrens and a pair of Goldcrest parents frantically call and feed their tiny, newly fledged offspring. I didn't stay long as I didn't want to disturb the new little families than I already had. I did manage to take one photo, a fledgling Wren perched on a wildflower stem. As I walked home, the rain began to fall. It was very refreshing and much needed respite for wildlife from all the heat we have had recently. |
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Watched the birds visit my birdfeeder |
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| Today I decided to make a Magpie inspired
friendship bracelet. I walked to my local craft shop and brought 4
threads.
As I set about making my new bracelet, I sat and watched the birds visit my birdfeeder. I managed to film a few visiting birds and put together the video below.
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Butterflies and birdsong! |
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| Walking through the local fields and woodlands, I
saw lots of butterflies.
I spotted my first Painted Lady and Common Blue of the year. One Small Tortoiseshell landed on my shoe! I stopped to watch the butterflies and all around me the birds began to sing, loudly and beautifully! A wonderful moment in nature. |
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Garden birds |
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Today I simply enjoyed watching the lovely garden birds at my local park. Peaceful and perfect!
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Bempton Cliffs |
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| Wow what an awesomely amazing day!
Excited I headed out quite early in the morning, knowing that it would be a 3 hour drive to get to Bempton Cliffs. I hadn't had the best night's sleep but then I felt like a kid on Christmas Eve! It was worth the excitement! I have a soft spot for seabirds, but I had never seen a Puffin. What a thrill to see my first one! So small and so beautiful, I may have a new favourite bird! That there for me was a special life tick! I was blown away by the sheer amount of life on those cliffs, all those birds on tiny ledges. The noise was unbelievable! I watched Kittiwakes brooding their young. Admired the graceful flight of Gannets. Chuckled at the curious Razorbills. Gazed over the crowds of Guillemots. Followed the flight of Fulmar though my binoculars. What incredible views! I was also very, very lucky to see the Black-Browed Albatross. Though it was a brief view, it was clear and absolutely brilliant to see! A life tick and a mega tick, but sorry, the Puffins stole the day! |
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A day of rest! |
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I am still walking on air from yesterday's amazing adventure! Seeing all those beautiful seabirds was wonderful, it was also very tiring! To recuperate, I spent the day relaxing and drawing the wonderful birds I saw at Bempton Cliffs. |
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Kelham Bridge, Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve |
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| The day started with me finishing my Magpie
inspired bracelet. On the last day of 30 Days Wild, I thought I would visit a Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve. I did a little research and picked Kelham Bridge near Coalville, hoping that I might get maybe 1 or 2 more species for my 'Big Month' list. It was worth the trip, I added 4 more species to my list. Stopping at both hides I was able to add Sand Martins that flew over the ponds, and a Little Grebe in between dives. I walked all the way round the reserve, watched a Kestrel hover and hunt. Swifts and Swallows joined the Sand Martins, while Whitethroats and Garden Warblers sang, Small Tortoiseshells fluttering everywhere. It was on the way back that a surreal noise came from my right. I listened carefully, thankful to have listened to my birdsong records before I arrived, I knew I needed to know what this bird sounded like because this bird was a Grasshopper Warbler! I found a clearing along the path where I stood, watching and waiting, my patience paid off as I saw it fly between perches. It was a fleeting moment, but it was clear. What a treat! My final bird species for 30 Days Wild was a Bullfinch. I saw both a male and a female flying together softly calling to each other. I started this month with a finch, and I ended the month with a finch. A wonderful circle for my utterly amazing 'Big Month'! |
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The final list of all the bird species I saw this month... Chaffinch, Blackbird, Goldfinch, Great Tit, Jackdaw, House Sparrow, Robin, Swallow, Wood Pigeon, Pheasant, Blue Tit, Wren, Mallard, Whitethroat, Magpie, Skylark, Carrion Crow, Chiffchaff, Greenfinch, Dunnock, Moorhen, Rook, Linnet, Reed Bunting, Blackcap, Song Thrush, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Black-Headed Gull, Collared Dove, Buzzard, Starling, Grey Heron, Kestrel, House Martin, Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Grey Wagtail, Long-Tailed Tit, Pied Wagtail, Swift, Raven, Stock Dove, Red-Legged Partridge, Yellowhammer, Nuthatch, Red Kite, Common Tern, Mute Swan, Sedge Warbler, Mistle Thrush, Tufted Duck, Herring Gull, Jay, Sparrowhawk, Garden Warbler, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Rock/Feral Pigeon, Barn Owl, Canada Geese, Great Crested Grebe, Coot, Little Egret, Gadwall, Oystercatcher, Cormorant, Greylag Goose, Tree Sparrow, Puffin, Gannet, Kittiwake, Guillemot, Razorbill, Fulmar, Corn Bunting, Black-Browed Albatross, Peregrine Falcon, Sand Martin, Little Grebe, Grasshopper Warbler, Bullfinch. Addition species that was heard but not seen... Tawny Owl A grand total of 81 species of bird spotted over the 30 days of June, my 'Big Month'. |
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