Been quiet of late

Quiet lately, I've been busy, but also the fields are quiet, butterflies and dragonflies are all but finished for the year, just need the leaves to fall now and we shall be into Autumn, hopefully then get a few bird shots from my walkabouts.

This past week or so I have seen many hunting displays from the kestrel, but never near enough for me to get a decent shot, also the buzzards are plentiful.

Had my first trip to Upton Warren the other day for over 12 months, was hoping to see a kingfisher and a short eared owl, but drew a blank on both, intend making several visits to this fabulous reserve over the coming months though.

This morning I started putting down some bird seed in a new spot, hoping I may attract something different.

Stone Pool

Pleased to spot this Hummingbird hawk moth.

Blue tit

Great tit

Magpies in flight

Sept 16th

Not a bad day to start with, so off up to Edna's stump and put some seed and nuts on, then had a stroll around the fields, not much about so went back to the stump to find all the seed had gone, so added some more and hid myself in the lane and a few minutes after this magpie appeared.

Monday 17th Sept

Same as yesterday more or less, but the light was awful so didn't stay out long, took monopod today, if light alright tomorrow I shall return with the tripod.

Long tailed tit hiding in a bush, actually there were about 8 of them.

a first

Saturday 15th September

Dry bright morning so off I went again, but this time with the big lens, about time I gave it an outing, straight to the stump this morning, all seed had gone again so filled it up, saw greenfinches, robins, great tits and magpies close by.
Had a stroll along Stonechat's Lane, but very quiet along there, did notice lots of rubbish sprinkled about.
Lunch and popped out again, first to Captain's where there was a single swan and a buzzard over the back, I fully expect the swan to have moved on by morning though.
Pics of the swan cleaning and drying itself.

Buzzard, probably near to 100 yards away.

Found this pod on our clematis, seems we also have a chocolate vine and this is a seed pod from it, very unusual.

Friday 14th September

Four walks today all around the Spennells area, weather was fair, but could have done with a touch more sunshine.
All the seed had gone from the stump, filled it up and it had gone again after lunch.

Saw a flock of about 12 greenfinch up top, fair few common blues about along with some very fresh looking Brown Argus and Small Coppers.

Greenfinch

Small Copper

 Brown Argus

Stone Pool which was used by the BBC.

Thursday 13th September

A really nice start to the day, walked up to Captain's which was very quiet, had walk up field to the stump where I left some seed and nuts, hoping it will soon be busy there again soon.

Then walked along the top and down by Pirates wood which is where I spotted this little fella.

Coelichneumon deliratorius

I also saw about 8 yellowhammers together, spotted couple of buzzards and quite a few other common birds, saw approx six small coppers, quite a few speckled woods and large whites.

I did collect a bit of sunflower seed, will be sewing some in the garden next year.

After lunch it clouded up quite a lot and I didn't go back out.

Wednesday 12th Spetember

Took this one at Hurcott on the school run, was used by the BBC.

Back Home

Back home after a week away, very quiet though, walked up to Captain's where I watched a Cormorant doing a spot of fishing, also spotted a buzzard overhead being chased away by some crows, in the nature reserve I spotted a few thrushes, a wren and some great tits.

Along the Cloister's I spotted another wren and several great tits, lots of bees and wasps about but nothing that looked unusual, only saw two butterflies which were speckled woods.

I did spot a couple of smallish birds by Pirates Wood which I was unsure of.

Thrush

Bumble Bee

Wales, Wiseman's Bridge and Amroth

Back home from a week in Wales, stayed near Wiseman's Bridge which is our favourite place, luckily we had great weather, didn't take many photos but did get the paints out a couple of times.

Left some painted rocks out here and there.

Sat on Wiseman's Bridge beach to paint this one, 'Looking to Amroth'

Evening light at Amroth

A collection of rocks underneath Berty the Bass at Amroth, so I left my colourful fish there.

Berty the Bass, made from plastic bottles and wire mesh.

I did get a message whilst away saying that I have made the cover of Stourport's calendar for 2019, very happy, that's two years on the trot now, shall have to start planning an entry for next year, can't see me making the hat trick but will be trying my best.

St Bartholomew's, Stourport Calendar for 2019

Looking forward now to getting out and about round Spennells in couple of days or so, have missed my walkabouts.