Spotted Flycatchers

I've been bird watching at the Reserve every Saturday morning with my son, Luke, who posts all our sightings on the BTO Bird Tracker and between us, we were delighted to identify Spotted Flycatchers at the Reserve. Seem to be quite a few. We also appear to have annoyed a Blackcap because we played his song on our phones, he followed us around after that!
My Badger watching has continued to reveal dark shapes moving across the field at dusk although I have discovered lots of very full latrines in the damp, far corner and what appears to be an annexe to the main Sett.
On Monday night I changed my position and sat amongst the Brambles being eaten and crawled over by various insects, not daring to move when my patience was rewarded by two black and white snouts emerging from a hole, such joy!! I was so excited my heart started to pound, the blood rushed to my head and for a while I couldn't see anything. Shadowy shapes followed and I went home very happy.

Saturday morning, the 11th May saw me bird watching with my son at the Reserve. A quick scan of the Badger Sett revealed a surprise, the Badgers are dragging Sycamore leaves and young shoots in to the Sett. We were fascinated by this and followed the trail for quite a long way, they even seemed to be dragging the leaves over wood piles! Bird watching was amazing with a total of 31 species at the Reserve and the Quarry. Noticed definite occupants in one of the boxes but our highlight was a Lapwing sitting by the side of the lake behind the Reserve, bonus! Joey had seen Lapwings in the farmland in Cuttlebrook Lane but I hadn't managed to find them - yet.

International Dawn Chorus Day

Sunday May 5th, set my alarm for 4.30a.m, thought I would go to the Reserve to hear the Dawn Chorus and it was definitely worth it. Heard a very loud, harsh cawing from one of the high up nests.

Badgers and Birds

Finally got the energy to go Badger watching on 4th May. Changed my place and stood, very still, next to the double tree. As the sun faded away the chorus of Tawny Owls was absolutely amazing! It began in the small copse in Temple Lane and the Reserve Owls soon joined in, wonderful. I kept being surprised by small birds who I though were rather late going to roost, until I realised, they were little bats flitting around me. saw something large in the grass out of the corner of my eye, too scared to move in case I frightened it. turned out to be a beautiful fox who came within a few feet of me. I watched him right across the field where I saw another shape that I'm sure was a Badger then it became impossible to see. Great night though.