I didn't manage to get a photo but here is one taken by my son in May 2008 of the same species in terrestrial form found on the patio.
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A wren (I have only seen one) is still roosting in amongst the remains of dead plants and compost in a hanging basket on the patio and I have been getting more regular daytime sightings of this species recently. I am pleased that at least one wren in the locality survived the freezing winter conditions.
I spotted some rabbits last night feeding on a traffic roundabout near Birmingham Airport - not really unusual because there were several more feeding on nearby grass verges and there is open countryside only a few hundred yards away. However, it reminded me of sightings I had many times last year at dusk of wild rabbits (up to 4 or 5) feeding again on a traffic roundabout near The Fort Shopping Park in Birmingham. This was more unusual as the nearest habitat likely to support a wild rabbit population was a few miles away. Perhaps this illustrates the role roadside verges can play as wildlife corridors in the dispersal of some species.
I have visited a fairly local countryside area, which has large prairie type fields, a couple of times in recent weeks where I have seen hares in the past in the hope of seeing some hares indulging in courtship behaviour. No sign of hares yet but I will try and visit at least once more this month.
I am reading a delightful book at the moment (a Christmas present from a friend) called "A Countrywoman's Journal - the sketchbooks of a passionate naturalist" by Margaret Shaw. The journals (in a facsimile format) cover the years 1926 - 1928 and contain details of the wildlife she encountered in her garden and on her travels charmingly illustrated with birds, butterflies, bees and wildflowers. I do like reading nature diaries and for a while Margaret Shaw was lucky enough to live in the house of Gilbert White - author of my all time favourite diary "The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne".
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I'm also reading Kate Atkinson's "Started Early, Took my Dog" recently out in paperback. I really enjoy her books starting with the first "Behind the Scenes at the Museum" through to her latest series featuring Jackson Brodie a former police detective. Her books are very unputdownable!
4 comments:
this was quite good
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Charm-Birds-charm-birds-library/dp/0575070587/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1300306646&sr=8-2
love the newt pic!
Glad you like the newt pic, Pete - better than my attempts of the ones in a murky pond!
That looks an interesting book - its a bit expensive new :D I'll look out for it secondhand - a good excuse to pop to Baddesley Clinton as they have a great second hand bookshop and I might be lucky.
I notice Sir Edward Grey was a co founder of the RSPB and there's another diary of his called "The Cottage Book: The Undiscovered Diary of an Edwardian Statesman" that looks good too! You really must stop tempting me to buy more books :D
the book was released in a facsimile edition not sure what I paid but not much it was in a remainder type shop :D
You got a bargain there Pete the new ones on Amazon are £117!!!! Used you can get from £7. I will keep my eye out for it though in second hand bookshops when on my travels.
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