Simple answer, because it rains a lot.
Graham and I headed for Two Bridges, in anticipation of decent weather, but the Met Office forecast upheld its noble tradition of inaccurate weather predictions and rather than cloudy with sunny periods we got the heavy mizzle Devon is famous for.
We abandoned the idea of pushing further along the path along the West Dart towards Wistmans Wood and in true pioneer spirit walked back to the car and drove on to Bellever where there is more shelter under the trees.
Obviously no Dragons around but we did see a number of Goldcrests and a particularly active group of Coal Tits. Other than that it was the usual birds.
We then moved on to the back of Burrator and saw literally hundreds of Redwing in the trees, presumably there for the berries.
Even Graham gave up with the camera due to a mixture of poor light and the rain. Must be a first for us, a four hour walk and not one photograph taken between the two of us!
A pleasant, if slightly moist way of spending the morning
Monday, 14 October 2013
Tuesday, 1 October 2013
Bob the Builder - The Sequel
Another weekend has sped past with no time to get out and about. I spent the entire weekend helping demolish the inside of eldest sons first house. Usual story of a house owned by a older couple who made the fatal statement "you can move straight in without doing anything".
It would be interesting to hear what they would say if they could see it now stripped to the bone, pine panelling (why?) pulled down, bodged built in wardrobes and shelving skipped and the disgusting brown and orange psychedelic carpets exiled to the tip.
The next few weeks should hopefully see a new and better home arising from the barebones remaining.
As a result of this I suspect the next few weeks on the blog will be quiet until we either finish or what remains of my aching back gives up.
Wish me luck!
It would be interesting to hear what they would say if they could see it now stripped to the bone, pine panelling (why?) pulled down, bodged built in wardrobes and shelving skipped and the disgusting brown and orange psychedelic carpets exiled to the tip.
The next few weeks should hopefully see a new and better home arising from the barebones remaining.
As a result of this I suspect the next few weeks on the blog will be quiet until we either finish or what remains of my aching back gives up.
Wish me luck!
Tuesday, 17 September 2013
Lost Weekends
Unable to get out for the last couple of weekends due to work and other boring stuff getting in the way. Just got back from a three day conference including the weekend in the Midlands. Really rewarding but hard work during the working day and equally in the Bar later in the day.
Weather was not too good so not the problem it would have been if the sun had come out and I was stuck in a conference room. Peak Dragon season is behind us now and as such any opportunity to get out and about will be seized upon right up until they disappear and I am reduced to going out birding with Graham.
This year has been a much better year for insects in general in the UK and all in all a good year for Dragons. I have not seen an amazing variety or much in the way of rarities but I have had some great views of my favourite creatures. Here's hoping for another "proper summer" next year.
Once the days really close in I will look out a few of my favourite pics and put them on the blog.
Weather was not too good so not the problem it would have been if the sun had come out and I was stuck in a conference room. Peak Dragon season is behind us now and as such any opportunity to get out and about will be seized upon right up until they disappear and I am reduced to going out birding with Graham.
This year has been a much better year for insects in general in the UK and all in all a good year for Dragons. I have not seen an amazing variety or much in the way of rarities but I have had some great views of my favourite creatures. Here's hoping for another "proper summer" next year.
Once the days really close in I will look out a few of my favourite pics and put them on the blog.
Monday, 2 September 2013
Have you gone completly mad?
The very words my wife uttered when she came home on Sunday night to find me sat outside in the dark with the bat detector on her return from work.
It was not as busy as it had been earlier in the week, in truth I saw loads of Moths but not that many bats. I made it more difficult for myself by trying to record the sounds directly into Batscan on my laptop with only limited success. I will have another go, possibly after reading the instructions this time (it's a man thing - if all else fails read the manual).
The pay off for being outside rather than watching the TV indoors was that we had a beautiful evening in Plymouth yesterday with the most stunning sunset I can remember for sometime. It pays to be slightly odd sometimes!
It was not as busy as it had been earlier in the week, in truth I saw loads of Moths but not that many bats. I made it more difficult for myself by trying to record the sounds directly into Batscan on my laptop with only limited success. I will have another go, possibly after reading the instructions this time (it's a man thing - if all else fails read the manual).
The pay off for being outside rather than watching the TV indoors was that we had a beautiful evening in Plymouth yesterday with the most stunning sunset I can remember for sometime. It pays to be slightly odd sometimes!
Burrator
Saturday morning picked up Graham and we headed for the pond and streams at the back of Burrator, arriving just after 9am. Still a bit overcast at the time and temperature was only 13 degrees but the forecast suggested the clouds would disappear as the day went on and this proved to be the case.
Interesting selection of finds, just one Common Blue Damsel, no Blue Tails and one Large Red in four hours of searching but 50 + Emeralds, males and females including ovipositing pairs.
On the Dragonfly stakes, we started off with a single Southern Hawker patrolling the large pond without settling. We persevered and eventually when the sun made an appearance we had around 4 males continually clashing and one female ovipositing in the margins. This was also when we started to see the Emerald Damsels.
We also got 2 Migrant Hawkers and a very swift fly past from a female Golden Ringed dragon. We then moved on and found some perfect Butterfly territory and got some nice shots of Brimstones and Small Coppers plus a load of different Hoverflies. I will leave the identification of these critters to Graham as he has far too much time on his hands and likes to make lists!
We also picked up a couple of female Black Darters in the grass but kept losing them and expended a lot of time relocating them in the grass, very frustrating.
We then walked back to the pond as it was heating up as midday approached and we were rewarded by wall to wall Black Darters, they were everywhere. They especially liked Graham and rode around on him like tiny winged jockeys for some time. The posed very patiently on the board walk railings and I now have a very comprehensive library of the left side of male Black Darters, as they all landed facing the same way. Also good shots of an uninhibited pair in cop who were happy to be photographed in the act.
Finally we found a singleton female Common Darter wondering where all her mates had gone.
Can't think of a better way of spending 4 hours (proves I am getting old) and although the variety wasn't huge and no rarities a good day. Photos below.
Interesting selection of finds, just one Common Blue Damsel, no Blue Tails and one Large Red in four hours of searching but 50 + Emeralds, males and females including ovipositing pairs.
On the Dragonfly stakes, we started off with a single Southern Hawker patrolling the large pond without settling. We persevered and eventually when the sun made an appearance we had around 4 males continually clashing and one female ovipositing in the margins. This was also when we started to see the Emerald Damsels.
We also got 2 Migrant Hawkers and a very swift fly past from a female Golden Ringed dragon. We then moved on and found some perfect Butterfly territory and got some nice shots of Brimstones and Small Coppers plus a load of different Hoverflies. I will leave the identification of these critters to Graham as he has far too much time on his hands and likes to make lists!
We also picked up a couple of female Black Darters in the grass but kept losing them and expended a lot of time relocating them in the grass, very frustrating.
We then walked back to the pond as it was heating up as midday approached and we were rewarded by wall to wall Black Darters, they were everywhere. They especially liked Graham and rode around on him like tiny winged jockeys for some time. The posed very patiently on the board walk railings and I now have a very comprehensive library of the left side of male Black Darters, as they all landed facing the same way. Also good shots of an uninhibited pair in cop who were happy to be photographed in the act.
Finally we found a singleton female Common Darter wondering where all her mates had gone.
Can't think of a better way of spending 4 hours (proves I am getting old) and although the variety wasn't huge and no rarities a good day. Photos below.
Monday, 26 August 2013
Confined to Barracks
Stayed at home for the Bank Holiday weekend rather than try and drive through the ranks of the invading Grockles, other than a BBQ with Graham on Saturday which was a nice diversion. Walked from home out to Mountbatten Pier and then back to Oreston. Then rather ruined all the good exercise by overindulging in the food and wines on offer.
Today was more productive with a bit of gardening and tidying up the back garden, which was enlivened by the appearance of a garden first, a Golden Ringed Dragon and for once it hung around long enough for me to fire off a few record shots.
Evening has been topped off sat outside in a pleasant temperature with the Bat Detector which enabled me to pick out a group of Bats patrolling the back hedge taking moths on the wing. I spent about 25 minutes in all watching their antics
Now back to reality and up at 5.30 tomorrow for an early start at work. Roll on retirement!
Today was more productive with a bit of gardening and tidying up the back garden, which was enlivened by the appearance of a garden first, a Golden Ringed Dragon and for once it hung around long enough for me to fire off a few record shots.
Evening has been topped off sat outside in a pleasant temperature with the Bat Detector which enabled me to pick out a group of Bats patrolling the back hedge taking moths on the wing. I spent about 25 minutes in all watching their antics
Now back to reality and up at 5.30 tomorrow for an early start at work. Roll on retirement!
Monday, 12 August 2013
Little Bradley Ponds
Spent Sunday recovering from a boozy BBQ with the family by the usual method of getting out in the fresh air. So chauffeured up to Little Bradley Ponds by an unsympathetic brother.
We arrived at 10.30ish to a seemingly deserted pond but once the sun came out and we got our eye in we started to see quite a few Dragons, in my case twice as many as Graham due to the effects of the previous day!
Started off as usual with hordes of Common Blues, closely followed by a good number of Blue Tails (no Scarce Blue Tails found). Next were the Common Darters which were in large numbers and many ovipositing in the clearer parts of the pond.
We then found Emerald Damsels, male and female, and had a brief fly past by a Downy Emerald which then vanished into the trees.
We tracked down a Vagrant Hawker which Graham noticed (despite his advanced years) in the middle of a tree. Having left the 300mm lens at home - "I won't need it", I had to watch Graham snapping away whilst I looked on with my macro lens feeling rather sorry for myself.
We were rewarded when we stood on the small jetty at the beginning of the pond by a patrolling Migrant Hawker which literally launched itself at a female and they both ended up in the reeds only to emerge a few seconds later and pose in the classic mating wheel for over half an hour which was both long enough and close enough to get some half decent photos.
The final dragon was a rather dopey female Southern Hawker which attempted to lay her eggs on the wooden board walk. I felt like ringing Social Services to report her, but she did eventually realise that she was getting it wrong and moved onto rotting vegetation.
We also had a very colourful flypast from the first Clouded Yellow I have seen for a couple of years. Needless to say it did not linger.
Moved onto Heathfield at around 2pm and picked up masses of Butterflies particularly on the Buddleia around the reserve entrance.
Three males and two female Emperors were very active and there was a huge fight between one of the males and a male Southern Hawker which ended with them both in the water. Otherwise the only thing we saw that was not at LBP was a single rather forlorn female Black Tailed Skimmer who was trying to oviposit whilst being chased by the Emperors. We both tried DIFing and I got two usable shots of a Common Darter but one was of its rear end so not really relevant.
We arrived at 10.30ish to a seemingly deserted pond but once the sun came out and we got our eye in we started to see quite a few Dragons, in my case twice as many as Graham due to the effects of the previous day!
Started off as usual with hordes of Common Blues, closely followed by a good number of Blue Tails (no Scarce Blue Tails found). Next were the Common Darters which were in large numbers and many ovipositing in the clearer parts of the pond.
We then found Emerald Damsels, male and female, and had a brief fly past by a Downy Emerald which then vanished into the trees.
We tracked down a Vagrant Hawker which Graham noticed (despite his advanced years) in the middle of a tree. Having left the 300mm lens at home - "I won't need it", I had to watch Graham snapping away whilst I looked on with my macro lens feeling rather sorry for myself.
We were rewarded when we stood on the small jetty at the beginning of the pond by a patrolling Migrant Hawker which literally launched itself at a female and they both ended up in the reeds only to emerge a few seconds later and pose in the classic mating wheel for over half an hour which was both long enough and close enough to get some half decent photos.
The final dragon was a rather dopey female Southern Hawker which attempted to lay her eggs on the wooden board walk. I felt like ringing Social Services to report her, but she did eventually realise that she was getting it wrong and moved onto rotting vegetation.
We also had a very colourful flypast from the first Clouded Yellow I have seen for a couple of years. Needless to say it did not linger.
Moved onto Heathfield at around 2pm and picked up masses of Butterflies particularly on the Buddleia around the reserve entrance.
Three males and two female Emperors were very active and there was a huge fight between one of the males and a male Southern Hawker which ended with them both in the water. Otherwise the only thing we saw that was not at LBP was a single rather forlorn female Black Tailed Skimmer who was trying to oviposit whilst being chased by the Emperors. We both tried DIFing and I got two usable shots of a Common Darter but one was of its rear end so not really relevant.
Wednesday, 7 August 2013
Cotswold Water Park
Debbie and I treated ourselves to a long weekend in the Cotswolds at Cerney Wick. The weather was mixed, with sun, overcast conditions and rain, but it was warm and there are great walks along the old canal tow paths and by the local rivers.
We parked the car on Saturday and did not use it again until we drove home on Tuesday and walked for hours everyday. The Dragons list was: -
Female Common Darter
Brown Hawkers ( seen in abundance on North Meadow but would not settle so no photos)
Migrant Hawker
Southern Hawker
Usually there are wall to wall Skimmers around here but not one seen in four days!
Common Blue Damsel
Blue Tail
White Legged
Large Red
Emerald
Banded Demoiselle.
Decent pictures of Common Blues and Emeralds but could not get a photo of Brown Hawkers or the Banded Demoiselles. The Browns being too active and the Banded Demoiselles disappeared by the time I had got down to the pond they were displaying in from the bridge above.
Why did I choose Dragons?!!!!!
We parked the car on Saturday and did not use it again until we drove home on Tuesday and walked for hours everyday. The Dragons list was: -
Female Common Darter
Brown Hawkers ( seen in abundance on North Meadow but would not settle so no photos)
Migrant Hawker
Southern Hawker
Usually there are wall to wall Skimmers around here but not one seen in four days!
Common Blue Damsel
Blue Tail
White Legged
Large Red
Emerald
Banded Demoiselle.
Decent pictures of Common Blues and Emeralds but could not get a photo of Brown Hawkers or the Banded Demoiselles. The Browns being too active and the Banded Demoiselles disappeared by the time I had got down to the pond they were displaying in from the bridge above.
Why did I choose Dragons?!!!!!
Sunday, 28 July 2013
Pond goes into Overdrive
A quick examination of the pond this morning revealed two more Southern Hawker Exuviae but no sign of the dragons. In previous years I have seen at least half of the dragons drying out prior to flight but not this time.
I will have a look prior to work tomorrow to see if there is anymore action in the depths.
I have been to Cadover Bridge with Graham where we got some nice Black Darter female pictures as shown below plus a very hungry Golden Ringed Dragon munching on some unfortunate insect.
I will have a look prior to work tomorrow to see if there is anymore action in the depths.
I have been to Cadover Bridge with Graham where we got some nice Black Darter female pictures as shown below plus a very hungry Golden Ringed Dragon munching on some unfortunate insect.
Saturday, 27 July 2013
Pond finally produces a Dragon!
Hold the front page! After a day roaming around Cadover Bridge with Graham I remembered I had been given one simple task by the wife to pick the washing in before her return from work tonight.
As usual I got distracted by other things (downloading today's pictures) and have literally just run out and ripped the clothes down from the line in a blaze of adrenalin fuelled panic. BUT as I was walking back from my chore, I saw a familiar shape on a lily pad; a Southern Hawker Nymph case. At last they have started to emerge, typically just as the weather is changing.
Cadover too was a reasonably productive day, bearing in mind how dull the sky was, although the temperature did not dip below 19 degrees. I will post a selection of the pictures taken when I have tidied them up a bit,
Todays list was: -
Damsels
Common Blue (M&F)
Blue Tail (M)
Azure (M)
Large Red M&F)
White Legged (M&F)
Emerald (M)
Beautiful Demoiselle (M&F)
Dragons
Golden Ringed (M)
Keeled Skimmer (F)
Black Darter (F)
We also had a good day with the birds, with the highlights being good views of Stonechat, Whinchat, Wheatear, Reed Buntings and Meadow Pipits.
All in all a good day in the great outdoors and miraculously neither of us fell in the river.
As usual I got distracted by other things (downloading today's pictures) and have literally just run out and ripped the clothes down from the line in a blaze of adrenalin fuelled panic. BUT as I was walking back from my chore, I saw a familiar shape on a lily pad; a Southern Hawker Nymph case. At last they have started to emerge, typically just as the weather is changing.
Cadover too was a reasonably productive day, bearing in mind how dull the sky was, although the temperature did not dip below 19 degrees. I will post a selection of the pictures taken when I have tidied them up a bit,
Todays list was: -
Damsels
Common Blue (M&F)
Blue Tail (M)
Azure (M)
Large Red M&F)
White Legged (M&F)
Emerald (M)
Beautiful Demoiselle (M&F)
Dragons
Golden Ringed (M)
Keeled Skimmer (F)
Black Darter (F)
We also had a good day with the birds, with the highlights being good views of Stonechat, Whinchat, Wheatear, Reed Buntings and Meadow Pipits.
All in all a good day in the great outdoors and miraculously neither of us fell in the river.
Thursday, 18 July 2013
Weddings
In and around Broadway for the weekend of 12 & 13th July for niece's wedding. Great time and good to catch up with remaining members of family.
An outdoor service was held at the Roccoco Gardens near Painswick, and luckily the day was one of uniterrupted sun which brought out the Brit in all present. It's too hot and too bright for good photos etc. What would we talk about if we didn't have the weather?
Whilst the photographer swung into action taking pictures of the bridal party there was plenty of time for us peripheral players to look around the gardens, particularly the nice pond which gave up the usual Damsels plus Black Tailed Skimmers and Four Spotted Chasers.
Reception was in a Marquee in eldest nieces garden near Broadway and next morning we saw a few Ravens and enjoyed an overflight by a beautiful Red Kite, which was a first for me. Graham also insisted he could hear a Turtle Dove but I suspect it was the voices in his head again!
Debbie and I decided to tag a couple of extra days onto the wedding weekend and stopped off in Ilfracombe at a great little hotel on the outskirts of the town which ensured we got a bit of exercise when we walked into town for dinner.
We spent the days walking the cliffs and surrounding areas and it reminded me why it is such a great part of Devon. The only snag being the roads which are all narow and if you get stuck behind a tractor or elderly sunday driver you are going to be there for a while.
Stopped off at Knighthayes, near Tiverton on the way home and again, superb gardens with a variety of walks and even better - shade! Picked up my first Southern Hawker of the year in a dappled glade which was good and got bitten all over by varios flies which wasn't!
An outdoor service was held at the Roccoco Gardens near Painswick, and luckily the day was one of uniterrupted sun which brought out the Brit in all present. It's too hot and too bright for good photos etc. What would we talk about if we didn't have the weather?
Whilst the photographer swung into action taking pictures of the bridal party there was plenty of time for us peripheral players to look around the gardens, particularly the nice pond which gave up the usual Damsels plus Black Tailed Skimmers and Four Spotted Chasers.
Reception was in a Marquee in eldest nieces garden near Broadway and next morning we saw a few Ravens and enjoyed an overflight by a beautiful Red Kite, which was a first for me. Graham also insisted he could hear a Turtle Dove but I suspect it was the voices in his head again!
Debbie and I decided to tag a couple of extra days onto the wedding weekend and stopped off in Ilfracombe at a great little hotel on the outskirts of the town which ensured we got a bit of exercise when we walked into town for dinner.
We spent the days walking the cliffs and surrounding areas and it reminded me why it is such a great part of Devon. The only snag being the roads which are all narow and if you get stuck behind a tractor or elderly sunday driver you are going to be there for a while.
Stopped off at Knighthayes, near Tiverton on the way home and again, superb gardens with a variety of walks and even better - shade! Picked up my first Southern Hawker of the year in a dappled glade which was good and got bitten all over by varios flies which wasn't!
Smallhanger the sequel
Managed to get out for the morning on first Saturday of July to Smallhanger, a reliable site on the fringes of Plympton, which usually offers the possibility of picking up a few "specials".
The usual suspects were seen, mainly Common Blues, Bluetails and Large Red Damsels, but not an Emerald in sight. Graham got a bit excited when he thought he had spotted a Small Red but closer examination showed it to be a "small" Large Red!
The previously dried pond that we had got great shots at last year had mysteriously rehydrated itself since our visit earlier this year, despite the heat and was once again well populated but mainly with Common Blues and Bluetails with no Emeralds seen.
There were also patrolling Emperors and Four Spot Chasers and a stand out female Keeled Skimmer in prime condition.
We also witnessed a spectacular aerial dogfight between an Emperor and a large unidentified hawker which ended with them both plunging into the undergrowth just the other side of the pond but we were unable to find them despite a search of the surrounding area. It was impressive to watch while it lasted and quite brutal.
We also had the dubious pleasure of finding a Common Blue in the clutches of a Sundew plant which was not the way it hoped it's day would end I am sure.
Other than the dragons, there were huge numbers of small frogs/toads nearly ready to loose the tail and more newts than I can remember seeing for a long time inhabiting any minute bit of water in a tyre rut or any other indentation.
All in all a good morning.
The usual suspects were seen, mainly Common Blues, Bluetails and Large Red Damsels, but not an Emerald in sight. Graham got a bit excited when he thought he had spotted a Small Red but closer examination showed it to be a "small" Large Red!
The previously dried pond that we had got great shots at last year had mysteriously rehydrated itself since our visit earlier this year, despite the heat and was once again well populated but mainly with Common Blues and Bluetails with no Emeralds seen.
There were also patrolling Emperors and Four Spot Chasers and a stand out female Keeled Skimmer in prime condition.
We also witnessed a spectacular aerial dogfight between an Emperor and a large unidentified hawker which ended with them both plunging into the undergrowth just the other side of the pond but we were unable to find them despite a search of the surrounding area. It was impressive to watch while it lasted and quite brutal.
We also had the dubious pleasure of finding a Common Blue in the clutches of a Sundew plant which was not the way it hoped it's day would end I am sure.
Other than the dragons, there were huge numbers of small frogs/toads nearly ready to loose the tail and more newts than I can remember seeing for a long time inhabiting any minute bit of water in a tyre rut or any other indentation.
All in all a good morning.
Friday, 5 July 2013
The sun's out - I must be at work!
Typical we have some decent weather at last and I have been stuck in the office, on the fringes of Dartmoor, slowly frazzling in the tepid air of a non air-conditioned office and have not been able to get out with the camera!
I am trying to make plans for the weekend as the weather looks set for the next week or so for sun and light winds and as I am away in London for half of next week the weekend will be my only chance to take advantage of this. Next weekend is niece's wedding so will be restricted in what I can do. We are tagging on a couple of days to the wedding weekend to stop off at Illfracombe on the way home so will look up likely sites before I go.
Still only 5/6 emergences from the pond, all Damsels, and not a sign of the Southern Hawkers I know from my dipping are skulking around in the pond - Get on with it!
I did manage to rescue a very healthy looking Toad from next door last night as they were worried that their Cat might get him, so he is now residing in my garden on slug patrol.
Stay-tuned to see how the weekend pans out.
I am trying to make plans for the weekend as the weather looks set for the next week or so for sun and light winds and as I am away in London for half of next week the weekend will be my only chance to take advantage of this. Next weekend is niece's wedding so will be restricted in what I can do. We are tagging on a couple of days to the wedding weekend to stop off at Illfracombe on the way home so will look up likely sites before I go.
Still only 5/6 emergences from the pond, all Damsels, and not a sign of the Southern Hawkers I know from my dipping are skulking around in the pond - Get on with it!
I did manage to rescue a very healthy looking Toad from next door last night as they were worried that their Cat might get him, so he is now residing in my garden on slug patrol.
Stay-tuned to see how the weekend pans out.
Monday, 24 June 2013
Two Bros in the Brenne
As promised a few photographs with minimal processing, taken during our only too brief break in the superb Le Brenne area.
This is a truly great area for birders and insect specialists due to the variety of habitat in the region with lots of lakes of various sizes and types, woodland and also more wildflower meadows than we probably have in the whole of the UK.
Highlights of the trips were being surrounded by the song of Nightingales, which Graham managed to photograph from the front door of our rooms after many fruitless attempts elsewhere. Black Kites were in abundance and a pair of Montagu Harriers were literally within a couple of hundred metres of La Confiance.
We also got a slow flypast by a beautiful male Golden Oriole, I saw my first Stone Curlew and had good views of a Hoopoe in the garden on our first afternoon. We saw Coypus on many occasions and they appear to be quite common and not particularly bothered about being around people.
We were also lucky enough to be in the middle of a mass emergence of Skimmers surrounding us on all sides as they waited to disperse. Our frenzied snapping was cut short by the appearance of a farmer on a tractor with serious grass cutting equipment which sent them all into the trees and out of the reach of our lenses.
Add to these highlights the sight of Graham trying to feed €18.60 in small change into the peage machine at Le Mans and then finding we were €1.20 short was very funny. It got better when he tried to pay the balance by credit card only to find that it took the whole amount by the card and then spewed out the cash we had already put in, leading to more frenzied scrambling. Thankfully the lengthening queue behind us were uncharacteristically patient.
Add to the mixture me falling backwards into a ditch during a late night walk whilst trying to avoid a late working tractor and my attempt to decapitate a French Customs official by accidently pushing the up button on the car window and it was a fun packed and busy break. I would have no hesitation in recommending the area as an unspoilt and beautiful part of rural France.
This is a truly great area for birders and insect specialists due to the variety of habitat in the region with lots of lakes of various sizes and types, woodland and also more wildflower meadows than we probably have in the whole of the UK.
Highlights of the trips were being surrounded by the song of Nightingales, which Graham managed to photograph from the front door of our rooms after many fruitless attempts elsewhere. Black Kites were in abundance and a pair of Montagu Harriers were literally within a couple of hundred metres of La Confiance.
We also got a slow flypast by a beautiful male Golden Oriole, I saw my first Stone Curlew and had good views of a Hoopoe in the garden on our first afternoon. We saw Coypus on many occasions and they appear to be quite common and not particularly bothered about being around people.
We were also lucky enough to be in the middle of a mass emergence of Skimmers surrounding us on all sides as they waited to disperse. Our frenzied snapping was cut short by the appearance of a farmer on a tractor with serious grass cutting equipment which sent them all into the trees and out of the reach of our lenses.
Add to these highlights the sight of Graham trying to feed €18.60 in small change into the peage machine at Le Mans and then finding we were €1.20 short was very funny. It got better when he tried to pay the balance by credit card only to find that it took the whole amount by the card and then spewed out the cash we had already put in, leading to more frenzied scrambling. Thankfully the lengthening queue behind us were uncharacteristically patient.
Add to the mixture me falling backwards into a ditch during a late night walk whilst trying to avoid a late working tractor and my attempt to decapitate a French Customs official by accidently pushing the up button on the car window and it was a fun packed and busy break. I would have no hesitation in recommending the area as an unspoilt and beautiful part of rural France.
Friday, 21 June 2013
La Confiance
Just back from a short mini break in the Le Brenne region of France. Great place, surrounded by lakes of all sizes so perfect for Dragons and birds. Spent a long weekend there and was lucky enough to have decent weather for the three full days we were there.
The start of the break was not an auspicious one with a very choppy overnight crossing from Plymouth to Roscoff and torrential rain all the way down until just before we arrived at our base.
We stayed at La Confiance a small Chambre d'hote near Azay le Ferron run by a great couple, Sue and Chris, who ensured we were well fed and watered, provided us with maps and ideas for local walks and generally looked after us really well. Chris's mantra "No one leaves the dinner table hungry" speaks volumes for their generosity.
I was somewhat hampered by the lack of wellies which were needed to navigate some of the waterlogged paths around the lakes. Guess what the last thing I took out of the car boot before we left was? "I won't need these" I remember saying confidently as I removed the wellies that reside permanently in the boot. Oh well, move on.
Graham has added to his bird list and I have picked up a few new dragons but haven't had time to look at the pictures properly yet. I have taken around 1300 and the second day was a bit breezy so I anticipate a busy time weeding out the poorer efforts
Once I have started sorting out the pictures I will post a few this weekend.
The start of the break was not an auspicious one with a very choppy overnight crossing from Plymouth to Roscoff and torrential rain all the way down until just before we arrived at our base.
We stayed at La Confiance a small Chambre d'hote near Azay le Ferron run by a great couple, Sue and Chris, who ensured we were well fed and watered, provided us with maps and ideas for local walks and generally looked after us really well. Chris's mantra "No one leaves the dinner table hungry" speaks volumes for their generosity.
I was somewhat hampered by the lack of wellies which were needed to navigate some of the waterlogged paths around the lakes. Guess what the last thing I took out of the car boot before we left was? "I won't need these" I remember saying confidently as I removed the wellies that reside permanently in the boot. Oh well, move on.
Graham has added to his bird list and I have picked up a few new dragons but haven't had time to look at the pictures properly yet. I have taken around 1300 and the second day was a bit breezy so I anticipate a busy time weeding out the poorer efforts
Once I have started sorting out the pictures I will post a few this weekend.
Sunday, 9 June 2013
Smallhanger
Tried Smallhanger today from around 10 until 12.30. Lots of Common Blue Damsels and Large Reds. but nothing else other than 2 pairs of Broad Bodied Chasers which gave good views but terrible pictures.
The best pond we found last year has almost completely dried out which is quite an achievement bearing in mind the amount of rain we endured this Winter/Spring. Hopefully this will not have too much of an effect on the Emerald Dragons and Black Darters we photographed oviposting there last year.
The theory that we are still a month behind this year continues to hold good and there is a lot of catching up to do.
Other than the Odonata the only other things we saw were a couple of distant Butterflies and a half a dozen Tiger Beetles and a few Buff Tailed & White Tailed Bees.
The highlight was Graham finally ticking off Yellowhammer.
The best pond we found last year has almost completely dried out which is quite an achievement bearing in mind the amount of rain we endured this Winter/Spring. Hopefully this will not have too much of an effect on the Emerald Dragons and Black Darters we photographed oviposting there last year.
The theory that we are still a month behind this year continues to hold good and there is a lot of catching up to do.
Other than the Odonata the only other things we saw were a couple of distant Butterflies and a half a dozen Tiger Beetles and a few Buff Tailed & White Tailed Bees.
The highlight was Graham finally ticking off Yellowhammer.
Badger Watch
Just noticed that I didn't post pictures of a close encounter of the Badger variety at the beginning of April.
Mike took Graham and I up to a Badger sett he has been visiting on Dartmoor for some years. I decided not to weigh myself down so just took my bridge camera. Being the eternal pessimist I assumed we would probably not see much. As it turned out I could not have been more wrong!
The omens were good as we approached the sett as we passed a juvenile Badger on the way up who gave us a rather withering look and then disappeared behind a drystone wall.
Within minutes of arriving we were treated to brilliant views of an adult and four juveniles eating and larking about within a few metres of where we were sat. Not sure how to get video on the blog so a few pics follow.
Bearing in mind what is about to happen to the Badger population I will treasure the hour or so we spent with them.
Mike took Graham and I up to a Badger sett he has been visiting on Dartmoor for some years. I decided not to weigh myself down so just took my bridge camera. Being the eternal pessimist I assumed we would probably not see much. As it turned out I could not have been more wrong!
The omens were good as we approached the sett as we passed a juvenile Badger on the way up who gave us a rather withering look and then disappeared behind a drystone wall.
Within minutes of arriving we were treated to brilliant views of an adult and four juveniles eating and larking about within a few metres of where we were sat. Not sure how to get video on the blog so a few pics follow.
Bearing in mind what is about to happen to the Badger population I will treasure the hour or so we spent with them.
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