Peter Jones Wildlife blog

A nice end to 2019 as I flicked through an insect field guide and solved a mystery from the summer family holiday.. a Grasshopper sp. in France, finally identified as a Large Conehead. A species I didn't know about until today.  (I was only familiar with Long Winged and Short Winged, neither quite fitting this one, which I first notice in the campsite shower block) Then driving home after dark this evening, I saw a Barn Owl on a roadside post, about 100yards from where I suspected hearing nesting Barn Owls 18 months ago when I was finishing a Bat survey! This is the first time I have actually seen one in this area. I occasionally see one closer to home on the other edge of the village.

Decided to break a long journey with a morning in Rutland Water. Reserve seems to have quadrupled in the 15 years or so since I last visited, and like so many lakes in England is now colonised by Great White Egrets. Up to 6 seen from a hide near the reserve centre. Also 2, possibly 3 Smew was a nice surprise. 31 hides! that must be a record in the UK

After last week's "Pom in the storm"! at Keyhaven, I could have expected to drift back to quieter birding, but I had an even better afternoon finding two nice birds at Pagham Harbour. First up was a Short-eared Owl being mobbed in broad daylight. It later settled on the marsh and showed well. Then on my return journey.. (implying I'd walked past this one), a Wryneck flew across the path and fed in the long grass for a few minutes. Managed to get the scope on it, and a photo too.. must get into the habit of taking my camera out, the phone-scoping is terrifyingly tense! Met another birder on the way back and shared the news, so hopefully he got to see it too. Sunday morning, I headed to MedMerry. Lots about including 2 Ring Ouzels, amongst the more routine Corn Bunting, Stonechats, Yellowhammers etc. I did miss a Yellow-browed Warbler, but wasn't complaining. Bumped into yesterday's birder, who did indeed see the Wryneck which is always go

I've had a few local trips in the Campervan recently, all to the Hampshire coast, which I reckon is my best chance to find rarer birds. So far, I've walked over 30 miles, and had two extreme soakings! but finally today my luck seemed to improve along the coast at Keyhaven. I was actually thinking, "birding has got harder over the years, I never seem to find anything these days, are my expectations too high etc". Passing the spot where I did once find a Grey Phalarope, in similar crappy weather. I'm not unrealistic, I don't expect firsts for Hampshire on my walks, but a Scarce or two would be nice. Then I resigned myself to the fact that at least these walks are good for the mind, and ridding myself of all that work throws at me through the week. No sooner had I had these thoughts, a Great Skua passed just off the saltmarsh, and landed out of sight. More like it! Seawatching in Hampshire is not the easiest of choices with the Isle Of Wight placing most o

My Oregon 450 GPS was about 10 years old, and starting to look it's age. A shame as it had OS maps for GB, and still worked pretty well. The battery life wasn't too good though, and I was having difficulty seeing the screen as my eyesight isn't as good as it was 10 years ago. I was contemplating replacing with the Montana, which is a huge GPS, and expensive too, but fortunately settled on an Oregon 700, with decent battery life, and a very sharp clear screen. This model came without maps, (apart from the basemap which is not very good at all). But I am downloading compatible Open Street maps free from  http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl/ , which are absolutely fine, and the reason I insist on Garmin devices. most other brands charge a lot of money for detailed maps. All works fine. a very accurate GPS, weather info, Barometer, and custom profiles for different activities, which is handy. Birding, Bat surveys and Snake surveys all need different data, and this can

Spent a few days birding the Hampshire coast between Hurst and Calshot. Such a superb bit of coastline with plenty of wader habitat. The days started well with 2 Smooth Snakes on my final survey for 2019, both Juveniles. The smarter of the two photo'd below. Over the days, I covered more than 20 miles in total, and it was hard going at times. Waders were fairly low in variety, Spotted Redshank probably the highlight. Peregrines were regular along the coast, along with Marsh Harrier sightings, and a few Wheatears, and Yellow Wagtails the best of the Migrants. Great White Egret was a nice surprise at dusk amongst a big flock of about 50 Little Egret.

Spent a weekend in Norfolk at the beginning of September. The weather wasn't particularly promising for migrants, but sometimes birds don't follow the rules, so I was reasonably hopeful of good birding. I also walked to Blakeney point, something I have long threatened to do. Birdwise, it was quite tame with Spoonbills continuing their expansion in Norfolk, and a Great White Egret also seen, plus Wood Sandpipers. A Hobby snatching a Swallow out of the sky was impressive, and the typical common species were seen on a seawatch from Cley. (Great and Arctic Skua, Kittiwake, Fulmar etc.) Bedstraw Hawkmoth was a nice surprise on Blakeney point, and a Chinese Water Deer at Titchwell, also showed well. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Ty5gcHDFCxMCEQ829

Some sightings from a family holiday in Lot /Dordogne region of France in August. Stayed at the campsite chateau de fonrives. Yelloh village, so a busy and family-friendly site. To be avoided if birds are your main passion! But some other wildlife was seen around the campsite. Bird wise, it was incredibly poor with Collared Dove, Starling, Green Woodpecker, and Robin, the only species I can recall seeing. The journey down at least had Hoopoe and Turtle Dove! Plus Great Skua, Gannet, Kittiwake and Fulmar on the ferry crossing . Mammals were similarly thin on the ground, although I'm told Red Squirrels are seen in quieter months, and it was good for bats.. Noctule, Leisler's, Serotine, Daubenten's, Kuhl's, Common and Soprano Pipistrelle, all detected in a 30 minute walk. Reptiles and Amphibians, got me 2 new species with Parsley Frog, and Spiny Toad, plus plenty of Wall Lizards, and an Edible/Marsh frog best left alone as both species, plus the hybrid are pre

A very busy weekend in June, starting with a reptile survey in the New Forest. I checked out Lesser Butterfly Orchids at wilverley, before the long drive to Kenfig. Kenfig is a superb place for Orchids with many Southern Marsh, and Early Marsh Orchids, plus a few Pyramid Orchids. The star species is Fen Orchid, which I eventually found. Like many Orchids, even with a grid ref, the plants can be elusive until you find one.. Then dozens more can often be nearby. album

Travelled to Pewley Down on the edge of Guildford, where Man Orchids have been reported. Took a while to track them down, more unlucky than incompetence today! But eventually found some nice plants. Some other nice wildlife in this small area with Small Blue butterfly the highlight. Closer to home, I made the dog walk across Baddesley Common this evening, where I was just too late last year, finding Orchids too far gone to identify. I suspected Southern Marsh, and confirmed today, 11 month later! with 4 small spikes just coming into flower.

This was probably one of my best weekends ever watching wildlife.  We always go out with targets in mind but rarely see them all, (bar one!), plus more. I set off Friday night, slept in the campervan and was at Hartslock Saturday morning. I  failed to see a Clubtail Dragonfly on the way to the orchid site, but once at Hartlock the spectacle was superb with tiny Monkey Orchids and huge Lady-Monkey hybrids. On my way back to my van I was lucky enough to find a Clubtail Dragonfly emerging out of the River Thames. Had superb views of it's wings enlarging for an hour and a half. Hunger got the better of me and I left it to finish the process alone. Next stop was Homefield wood where the Military Orchids were showing very well, also Fly Orchid White Helleborine and Birds nest Orchid was a bonus, although the latter wasn't very well developed. My final destination for Saturday was Knocking Hoe nature reserve near Luton. This is a superb little reserve with Pasque flowers in the hundre

Very pleased, after finding over a dozen old larvae cases, to find a Clubtail Dragonfly emerging from larvae on the bank of the Thames at Goring. A slideshow illustrating the rapid growth, especially of the wings below. The wings grew from stumps to full size in about 40 minutes. https://youtu.be/V_1GperniCU

Quite a common, widespread flower, which I couldn't find in flower this year, but stumbled across a couple locally just turned to seed. One to visit earlier next year.

A morning walk at Martin Down. I happened to be in the area. Burnt Orchid is fast becoming a jinx for me. This the 4th time I have failed to find. Did hear Turtle Dove, which was nice, and a few clumps of Star of Bethlehem.

Tried another reptile survey this morning. My survey square is very unpredictable, and can either be crawling  with reptiles, or in today's case, totally devoid of any. Picking the ideal weather is hard with a day job, but this must be a key factor. So, onto Corfe Mullen, where at least the Green-winged Orchids were out in full force. A very impressive sight, and one species, I've always wanted to see. (Are there any orchids that don't rank in the most wanted lists!)

Dog walks can be enjoyable when they involve a lifer! My first Cream spot Ladybird

A pretty good dog walk this afternoon, a loop through woodland south of where I live. The dog is pretty useless when I'm searching for birds and animals, but he is yet to flush a flower, so we both benefit. Lots about today, the highlights being Solomon's Seal, quite common round these parts, Lily of the Valley, and Yellow Pimpernel, see pics. I had heard, via the local Facebook page, of Orchids along the woodland paths in May, but a search today didn't yield any results. Plenty of Bugle, which could be mistaken I guess, or maybe I'm a little early still.

https://youtu.be/GNZqqVSn0f4 Spent the evening with the bat detector at Fishlake Meadows. Started well, with several Noctules hunting close, I'm more used to seeing them commuting past, so nice to see them for more prolonged views, plus a bit of video! The rest of the evening was dominated by Soprano Pipistrelle. A single Common Pipistrelle, and a Daubenten amongst the chaos. Thought I was picking upyoris bats, but these all turned out to be Soprano Pips in clutter. An early season error I guess!

I was really looking forward to visiting Martin Down, and was going to pop into RSPB Garston Wood solely to see Toothwort, which is often reported from there. The day turned on it's head with Garston Wood being an incredible place, and Martin down being, well, hard work with little reward. Garston Wood was amazing. An A-to-Z of woodland plants with Bluebells, and Ramsons everywhere, quite a few Early Purple Orchids, Solomon's Seal, Bugle, Yellow Archangel, Butcher's Broom, Dog's Mercury, Primrose, Wood Spurge, Wood Sorrell, and yes, eventually I found two Toothwort very close to the car park, which I had walked past twice. On to Martin Down, where I had hoped to see Green-Winged Orchid, but no joy. It was like going back a month, with a very barren landscape. Did manage Hairy Violet, Ladies Bedstraw, Chalk Milkwort. Hard work though, and to think I hope to return within a month for Burnt Orchid and Green-winged orchid.. It might be worth my while looking for a s

Something good came of Twitter! I saw a post with sightings of Snake's Head Fritillary fairly local, so headed out there today, and eventually found them. In the last place I looked, after scouring the area. I still lack that 6th sense when looking for flowers. Anyway, the Fritillaries were amazing, and many miles closer to home than what I thought was my closest colony. Also a few Cowslip, Marsh Marigold, Cuckooflower and Water Avens. album

Some nice flowers on a long walk from Dancing Ledge to Durlston. Early Spider Orchids were everywhere, and I eventually found some Early Purple Orchids in Bloom. I must have been a little early for Green-winged Orchids, of which I failed to find any. 

photo gallery The 2019 New Forest reptile surveys, started for me, with a successful survey. Started off quiet, which got the alarm bells ringing. ( The last 3 or 4 surveys of 2018 were all blank in very hot conditions). However, I think I started a little too early. One thing is for certain on this pretty large survey is that you will always hit the productive time of the morning at some point. And so it was, about halfway round, right through to the end, I was treated to several Adder sightings, both under refugia, and in the open, plus one Smooth Snake, a couple of Common Lizards, and 4 Slow Worm.

A good dog walk at Skidmore, along the River Test. This area is prone to the odd false bird record from an over enthusiastic local. (Brown Flycatcher and Icterine Warbler being the most extreme). This is sad, because what should be a pleasant location is forever tainted, and expectations are unfairly elevated due to its history. Anyway, today was pleasant, bearing in mind I had no binoculars, and 1 dog. A small flock of Hirundines passed over. This part of the test can be brilliant for Swallows and Martins, especially if the weather turns bad. Lapwings were displaying, and a Great White Egret was in a flooded field. A couple of years ago this would have been massive. Nowadays, Great Whites are repoeted pretty much daily in the area. Best of the flowers was a very small Dove's foot Cranesbill, picture below

Finding so many new flowers on my daily dog walks. None of which are particularly spectacular, more a case of me starting from nothing and this is my first spring! Quite a smart flower in the street. Plantsnap app is pretty good and nailed it! Barren Strawberry:

Took a walk into the local woodland this evening. I have previously given up on this area from a birding perspective, although it can be good for Woodcock. Today was actually ok for bird life, with Firecrest, Goldcrest, and Blackcap singing. My purpose today was to try and find some woodland flowers. The Woods are dominated by Bracken and Bluebells, but I did eventually find a good area near a steam, with Primrose, Common Dog-Violet, Wood-Sorrell, and Wood Anemone.

Found a few flowers this afternoon, on my dog walk around Toothill.. Wood Spurge: Lesser Periwinkle: Ground Ivy: Greater Stitchwort: Also seen: Butcher's Broom, White Dead nettle, and Lesser Celandine. 

Another slightly bizarre fungus, noticed on my dog walk through a small broad-leaved woodland today..

Not having any joy picking up bats in the garden with the detector so far this year, so I ventured out around the village. Started pretty quiet, but I was soon recording Common Pipistrelles, and on checking the recordings, a Soprano Pipistrelle also sneaked past. in the screenshot, the Common Pipistrelle are the heavy Hockey stick shaped calls, the bottom of the call corresponding to the peak frequency of ~45Kz. These bats were hunting in a semi-cluttered environment, along a line of tall bushes. The first, faint call, is a Soprano Pipistrelle, at 54KHz. Call is flatter, constant frequency with longer gaps between the calls. Presumably this bat was passing thru, further away, in the open, thus not needing the full spectrum of calls. The smudge of calls in the middle is a Common Pipistrelle social call.

Quite a common flower around the village, once you get used to their size. Sweet Violets are common, typically near gardens. Early Dog-Violet was a slightly bigger surprise with a few clumps along the stream, and even 1 in my garden. The darker spur being diagnostic.. Also noticed a tiny Common Chickweed in the street.

Nothing is ever normal in the Mushroom kingdom! Found this Yellow Brain Fungus, on a dead, fallen branch, which is it's typical habitat. If I read it correctly, this fungus relies on another fungus to kill off the wood before it moves in when the branch falls.

A good way to find out about local wildlife would seem to be to join the local facebook, dog walkers' group! One week after joining, and I have been told about a few Adder basking sites, and an unusual mushroom seen in the nearby Baddesley Common. This is a pretty unique species as it is one I can identify from the photos that were posted! so I thought it only right to go and see one for myself. They are fairly numerous in the damp woodland by the look of it. Baddesley Common is a fairly small remnant New Forest area. Think New Forest without the wildlife! though this is slightly unfair. Woodlark and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker have been recorded here in the last 10 years, and it can be a good migrant spot with Whinchat and Wheatear in particular. Today was fairly quiet. A Woodcock the highlight, plus two pairs of Stonechat, possibly the last around the village now as my local pair on the west side of the village seem to have gone very elusive.

Pic: Corn Bunting, Huawei mate 10 / Swarovski atx95 at 70x! Haven't had much enthusiasm recently, February can be a quiet birding month in the UK. Did, however, manage to get up reasonably early for a walk around farmland in the Northern Test Valley. The area can be good for Raptors in the winter. In the past I have recorded Long-eared Owl, Hen Harrier, and Peregrine. A White-tailed Eagle spent a winter nearby a few years back. This morning had more of a Spring feel. No Lapwings or Golden Plover, but plenty of Yellowhammer and Corn Bunting in full song against a background of Skylarks. A Merlin was the highlight zipping past, plus a Red Kite. Called in at a sewage works on the way home. Again, this fairly small area has been kind to me previously, with a Water Pipit, and likely Siberian Chiffchaff in the past. Unfortunately you have to deviate off the footpath to see the best bits which never goes down well in these parts. However, I didn't get seen! And in the sunshine was a d

Or just outside to be precise. The fence makes for a nice screen to get close views of birds in the bushes beyond the garden. Also 4 Greenfinch was a surprise.

A mixed day today! Could have been better maybe, could have been a lot worse! Started in the New forest. A few Crossbills, Marsh Tit, thought I heard a Hawfinch. Then onto Blashford where the Bittern was showing nicely, though obscured, in the reeds, and a Water Rail ran across the path in front of me. Then someone tried to break into my campervan, not knowing I was sitting inside (windows are very tinted). Police now have his number plate, but sadly it shows that even in a busy nature reserve car park, if your number is up, then you are going to return to a smashed window, and all the hassle and inconvenience that entails.

Wildlife watching can be funny at times. I remember on a family trip to Brownsea Island many years ago seeing that Lesser Celandine was a flower to look out for round the island. I was unsuccessful that day, and never saw one subsequently, which isn't surprising, I'm not the most prolific when it comes to flowers. Then this afternoon, I noticed a flower next to the garden gate, a Lesser Celandine just starting to flower. The garden gate that I have walked past daily for 12 years! And close to the Hart's Tongue fern I first noticed last weekend!

My photos from last year's trip to Goa seem to have been the victim of the Google+ closure, and various failed attempts to port them onto other platforms. Here they are, in hopefully their final destination, in Google photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/Ux5ot57PfZTchpBz6

2018 was my best wildlife watching year for  a long time. Starting in March, with a week in Goa, at the excellent Nature's Nest resort, and seeing a lot of species. So good, I would struggle to justify going back in terms of seeing new species! Later in the year, my Smooth Snake survey square was packed with Reptiles, including a single Smooth Snake, before our hot summer brought the sightings crashing down to earth. A family holiday in Eastern France was good for butterflies and Dragonflies in particular, and my foray into wild flowers was also a success with many good finds, including quite a few Orchids at known sites. 2019 is looking to be a quieter year with a few Orchids to look for in Spring, and hopefully a few days in the Alps searching for Rock Partridge and yet more Orchids.

A selection of photos from two holidays, Corsica and Lesvos. Holy Orchid, Komper's Orchid, and Violet Limodore from Lesvos,  plus Balkan Terrapin and Tree Frog also from Lesvos Italian Wall Lizard and Red-footed Falcon from Corsica