Quite a crowd of Badgers on our Badger Watch the other evening. Or more correctly a Cete of Badgers. After the adults disappeared to forage we were left watching these young ones playing. We had to stifle a few laughs at times.
Archive for May, 2016
30
May
16
Badgers
28
May
16
Goosanders
Goosanders are just great aren’t they? – This one was photographed on our Mull tour this month. An itinerary for next years tour is available here. http://www.wildlifetoursandeducation.co.uk/tours/longer-tours-pelagics/
25
May
16
Just out of short trousers
A spring Red breasted Flycatcher is rare enough but this one aside the cricket ground in Overstrand was singing. No red chested songster this one; not even a rose flush. However, the worn coverts concealed the remnants of a partial wingbar. A first year bird … just into long trousers. A smart find for someone … we know not whom.
21
May
16
Some you loose some you gain
Some great seabirds up in Mull. Interestingly very few Great Skuas but BIG flocks of Manx Shearwaters.
19
May
16
Endearing
It was good to see Black Guillemot last week up in Scotland. I had the feeling numbers were down as they had vacated several areas where previously they had been present. However, these are probably the most social and endearing of the Auk family … yes even more endearing than Puffins.
You will be able to find us at the Norfolk Bird and Wildlife Fair this coming Saturday and Sunday.
All our tour for 2017 will be open for booking and by popular request I will have a few mounted wildlife photos and cards (Norfolk & Scottish Collections) for sale.
Look forward to seeing you there.
17
May
16
Slinky Minke
The tour I run to Mull each year includes a boat trip to the Cairn’s of Coll. This year we had a close encounter with a Minke Whale. It was good to see the expertise of the skipper and crew shining through by not chasing the animal but biding time and waiting for it to come to us … and it did … BIG TIME!
From somewhere around 800m away the animal took a beeline towards us. Like any animal it was pushed by inquisitiveness to investigate. The whale finally surfaced it’s 10m bulk alongside the boat giving us unprecedented views.
In the photos I took it’s possible to see the white pectoral fins below the surface of the water as well as subtle patterning and shading on the back and head. Most people think it is only possible to identify individual animals by their dorsal fins. Some have unique shapes and nicks making re-identification possible. Our Minke had a classic notch-less, some would say perfect, dorsal fin. However, the body marks also enable individuals to be identified too. A good camera and a little patience are all that is required … and an obliging Minke of course.
15
May
16
WTE
One of the reasons I take a tour to Mull each year is to see the amazing wildlife that resides and returns there. The eagles are understandably a big draw; and most people get a kick out of seeing them. They are undoubtedly magnificent beasts. We had five sightings of White tailed Eagles including this one.
13
May
16
Insatiable
We stumbled across this Goldcrest collecting caterpillars the other day. No doubt there are insatiable young in the nest that require a good feed.
11
May
16
Bursting
Early Purple Orchids were getting ready to burst the other week. They weren’t quite in their prime … yet. Although by now they will be. These beautiful flowers are fore bringers of all our Orchids.
Letter From Norfolk 