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Northern Sky
21 April 2025 08:46:45

My birdsong appreciation has been massively enhanced by hearing aids! It's astounding how much I have been missing. It's years since I really appreciated nightingales [in Umbia], which really filled the night with their singing.

Originally Posted by: Roger Parsons 


Yes I've recently got hearing aids and they really make a difference, I have quite bad tinnitus and they really help with that. I was amazed at both the abundance and variety of birds I recorded in Girona - this was in woodland literally 5 mins walk from the old town. Nightingales, serin, blackcap, cettis warbler, grey wagtail, parakeet, Iberian green woodpecker, to name a few picked up on the recordings as well as lots of more common birds. Also saw lots of hoopoe and the skies were full of swifts. Wonderful 🙂 
+3
Roger Parsons
24 April 2025 09:20:57
Bit more on the Osprey story: find out more:
It’s been a complicated start to the season with no fewer than four combinations of osprey pairings appearing on the nest!

    NC0 & New Male
    New Male & Unringed Female
    LM24 & Unringed Female
    LM24 & Dark Female

And this is to say nothing of other individuals that have been spotted on the reserve in recent weeks.

After a lot of careful reviewing and analysis of the rapidly changing dynamic, it looks like LM24 and the Dark Female have finally become ‘top ospreys’ at the Lowes nest. They appear to be settled as a pair and have been dominant for over a week at the time of writing.
Check out the video for the best bits of the season so far. You can use our handy guide below to keep track of which bird is which!
Loch of the Lowes ospreys – the season so far
https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/2025/04/loch-of-the-lowes-ospreys-the-season-so-far/ 
RogerP
West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire
Everything taken together, here in Lincolnshire are more good things than man could have had the conscience to ask.
William Cobbett, in his Rural Rides - c.1830
+1
Roger Parsons
27 April 2025 12:45:04
Hedgehog petition: "Add hedgehogs to schedule 5 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 to give them greater protection and help save the species from total extinction. We think hedgehogs should be given the same level of protection as other British Wildlife."
Petition to add hedgehogs to schedule 5 of The Wildlife and Countryside Act.
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/709054/ 
RogerP
West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire
Everything taken together, here in Lincolnshire are more good things than man could have had the conscience to ask.
William Cobbett, in his Rural Rides - c.1830
+3
Bertwhistle
27 April 2025 14:06:45

Hedgehog petition: "Add hedgehogs to schedule 5 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 to give them greater protection and help save the species from total extinction. We think hedgehogs should be given the same level of protection as other British Wildlife."
Petition to add hedgehogs to schedule 5 of The Wildlife and Countryside Act.
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/709054/ 

Originally Posted by: Roger Parsons 


Just added mine Roger. Thanks for the link.

On a different note Bess & I heard our first swifts the day before yesterday- very early for us. They didn't hang around- screamed a bit then flew north. 
Bertie, Itchen Valley.
Retire while you can still press the 'retire now' button.
+1
Roger Parsons
27 April 2025 14:15:25

Just added mine Roger. Thanks for the link.

On a different note Bess & I heard our first swifts the day before yesterday- very early for us. They didn't hang around- screamed a bit then flew north. 

Originally Posted by: Bertwhistle 


I've not seen any swifts or hirundines yet, Bertie, other than sandmartins which are always early. We have lots of Ring Ouzels coming in now. I reckon to see my first swallow first week of May. I've not heard a cuckoo yet but local friends have.
I like this BTO cuckoo tracking link. I expect you will have tried it.
https://www.bto.org/cuckoos 

RogerP
West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire
Everything taken together, here in Lincolnshire are more good things than man could have had the conscience to ask.
William Cobbett, in his Rural Rides - c.1830
+1
NMA
  • NMA
  • Advanced Member
27 April 2025 14:51:08
I was at the lake recently and we were talking about flea control and insect decline.
There is a popular dog swimming area in the corner and the theory goes that the use of pet flea treatment is a major reason for the decline in aquatic insects. No one has done survey yet here. I think it’s proven that river fly levels are low downstream of sewage treatment works. Flea control chemicals don’t break down fast it seems. Farmers can’t use these insecticides but it’s still ok for pet use. In fact vets are known to encourage their usage to increase income for the practice (allegedly). Prophylactic it appears and not if the pet actually has fleas.

Birds I’m no expert but I’ve seen several swallows but the sand martins are yet to arrive. No house martins either.
At Kimmeridge the other day several visitors mentioned red kites near Chapman’s Pool. I will listen out for the nightingales if I get down to the beach in the dark. They should be here soon if not already.
Another report on the BBC about puffins, highlights the decline of puffins on the Dorset coast to probably zero birds. The sea eagles though are increasing and were seen regularly at Kimmeridge over the winter months. 
Bees are up in number in my garden this year from bumbles to honey ones. That is a dramatic change upwards after the past few years. I got one of those bee hotels yesterday, a small one. We have a large one at Kimmeridge which is buzzing and it’s not safe to approach in sunny weather. It’s going to get a rooftop garden soon. Welcome to the Kimmeridge Bug Hotel complete with roof garden. It has to be hidden though from visitors as we have a number of adders round the back to guard it. They occasionally come indoors which is interesting to watch.
Vale of the Great Dairies
South Dorset
Elevation 60m 197ft
+2
Roger Parsons
28 April 2025 06:17:48
Another Badger on the trailcam last night - but we are wondering if it is another individual - there is something about its bearing/behavour that suggests it may be. 

Badger Info:
https://www.badgertrust.org.uk/badgers 



https://www.aigas.co.uk/badgers_aigas/ 
RogerP
West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire
Everything taken together, here in Lincolnshire are more good things than man could have had the conscience to ask.
William Cobbett, in his Rural Rides - c.1830
+3
Bertwhistle
28 April 2025 12:59:13

I've not seen any swifts or hirundines yet, Bertie, other than sandmartins which are always early. We have lots of Ring Ouzels coming in now. I reckon to see my first swallow first week of May. I've not heard a cuckoo yet but local friends have.
I like this BTO cuckoo tracking link. I expect you will have tried it.
https://www.bto.org/cuckoos 

Originally Posted by: Roger Parsons 


I hadn't seen that site Roger and I'm grateful for the link; love the birds' names (see McSporran has already made it to Scotland). My son heard a cuckoo locally the other day and my dad has seen swallows (these nest in his cottage porch about 1 year in 2). But ring ouzels I've never seen, possibly because they prefer higher ground?

I'm not convinced about these swifts you know, but Bess is adamant. I thought it might've been the squawking of another versatile starling but I know when not to argue...
Bertie, Itchen Valley.
Retire while you can still press the 'retire now' button.
+1
Northern Sky
29 April 2025 20:52:27
Probably because of the warm and dry conditions but I've noticed huge amounts of insects this Spring. The garden is full of hoverflies which were very scarce last year, also lots of bees, butterflies and countless midges, flies etc of all kinds. I've also noticed a lot more splats on the number plate and windscreen this year.
+2
Windy Willow
29 April 2025 21:27:52

Probably because of the warm and dry conditions but I've noticed huge amounts of insects this Spring. The garden is full of hoverflies which were very scarce last year, also lots of bees, butterflies and countless midges, flies etc of all kinds. I've also noticed a lot more splats on the number plate and windscreen this year.

Originally Posted by: Northern Sky 


I've wondered about this too, this spring, after the news articles last year at the decline of bugs, we didn't get so much bug, butt, splattery, but this spring has made up for it and I noticed because we have spent a lot of time travelling back and forth to my mums. Must be perfect conditions for them to multiply. A lot of last spring was wet and cool/cold IIRC.
South Holland, Lincs 5m/16ft ASL

When I saw corruption, I was forced to find truth on my own. I couldn't swallow the hypocrisy.

Barry White


It’s the end of the world as we know it (and I feel fine) - R.E.M.
Roger Parsons
30 April 2025 04:11:46
4.30-5.00hrs - hunting bat[s] echo-locating at 45kHz, visible over the garden and village green against the sunrise. Had those and 55kHz bats last night at 20-21.00hrs. Possibly 2 spp of Pipistrelle if I recognised the signal correctly. "Common" and "Soprano".
https://www.bats.org.uk/about-bats/what-are-bats/uk-bats/common-pipistrelle 
RogerP
West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire
Everything taken together, here in Lincolnshire are more good things than man could have had the conscience to ask.
William Cobbett, in his Rural Rides - c.1830
+2
NMA
  • NMA
  • Advanced Member
30 April 2025 06:00:15

Probably because of the warm and dry conditions but I've noticed huge amounts of insects this Spring. The garden is full of hoverflies which were very scarce last year, also lots of bees, butterflies and countless midges, flies etc of all kinds. I've also noticed a lot more splats on the number plate and windscreen this year.

Originally Posted by: Northern Sky 


The same here. I mentioned flea treatments in another post and their effects on aquatic insects. I'll try to find out from contacts in the fisheries field about recent riverfly surveys. I'm working on some stonework today and tomorrow near the bee hotel on the coast. I've got watch out for two species. Bees and adders. And the sun looks powerful too, so its suncream and hat, plus plenty of liquids.
Vale of the Great Dairies
South Dorset
Elevation 60m 197ft
+2
Devonian
30 April 2025 10:06:39

Probably because of the warm and dry conditions but I've noticed huge amounts of insects this Spring. The garden is full of hoverflies which were very scarce last year, also lots of bees, butterflies and countless midges, flies etc of all kinds. I've also noticed a lot more splats on the number plate and windscreen this year.

Originally Posted by: Northern Sky 


An expert I know said to me it takes time for invertebrates to recover from things like the great dessication of August 2022. Like years...
NMA
  • NMA
  • Advanced Member
03 May 2025 11:55:54
Small swarm of bees in my garden today.
https://imgur.com/a/jRr8U3g 
https://imgur.com/a/WWCcvFQ 

They have now moved and found a new home. Hope it's not my loft.



Vale of the Great Dairies
South Dorset
Elevation 60m 197ft
+1
Roger Parsons
04 May 2025 08:17:25

Small swarm of bees in my garden today.
https://imgur.com/a/jRr8U3g 
https://imgur.com/a/WWCcvFQ 

They have now moved and found a new home. Hope it's not my loft.


Originally Posted by: NMA 


"A swarm in May is worth a load of hay. A swarm in June is worth a silver spoon.
A swarm in July isn't worth a fly..."
RogerP
West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire
Everything taken together, here in Lincolnshire are more good things than man could have had the conscience to ask.
William Cobbett, in his Rural Rides - c.1830
+1
Roger Parsons
04 May 2025 08:21:07
The other half went out to collect the trail cam at 6am and heard/saw a cuckoo flying north over the garden. Several good clips of the garden badger too, 11.36pm -  11.49pm.  She puts a few peanuts and raisins out as a treat - which are very much enjoyed! 🦡
RogerP
West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire
Everything taken together, here in Lincolnshire are more good things than man could have had the conscience to ask.
William Cobbett, in his Rural Rides - c.1830
+1
NMA
  • NMA
  • Advanced Member
04 May 2025 08:59:13
I seem to have a resident hedgehog in the garden. I saw it the other morning when I was going off in the dark and it had set off a security light. Last night before bed I 'spilt' some fish food pellets by a raised pool as a test.
This morning all pellets gone. Five or so Tetra bits I placed but proof enough for me. The hedgehog seems to drink the water from one of my slug/snail control hosta 'moated castles' I'm trying this year. 
Sort of reminds me of the Tiger who came to tea, drinkling all the water from the tap. Well sort of.
Pots with plants set in large dishes of water. One drunk dry the other still filled.  Could be one hosta is thirstier than the other of course.
Not a lot of slugs or snails this year visible, though they were there a few weeks ago after the last rain. The hedgehog should assist me of course in a mollusc pogrom.
Vale of the Great Dairies
South Dorset
Elevation 60m 197ft
Roger Parsons
04 May 2025 11:03:51
We have a terrific local place called The Walled Garden near the village of Baumber. 
"Walled Garden Baumber is an innovative and beautiful 4 acre walled garden, full of hidden surprises and vastly different from the traditional kitchen garden that it once was. It is owned by designer and photographer, Sonia and David Elton."
I see they have a Steampunk weekend coming up - May 10th/11th (Sat/Sun) – Steampunk Weekend (10am-4pm). We have [rashly] decided to give it a try. 🤣🤣🤣

If you are ever driving on the A158 Lincoln - Skegness Road it is worth a visit.
https://www.walledgardenbaumber.co.uk/ 
RogerP
West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire
Everything taken together, here in Lincolnshire are more good things than man could have had the conscience to ask.
William Cobbett, in his Rural Rides - c.1830
+1
Roger Parsons
05 May 2025 14:41:10
2-4 House-martins flew over our garden at 3.30pm today.
RogerP
West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire
Everything taken together, here in Lincolnshire are more good things than man could have had the conscience to ask.
William Cobbett, in his Rural Rides - c.1830
Roger Parsons
06 May 2025 05:31:20
Bloody clueless male osprey has just brought his mate a large twig. [06.20hrs] She's been dealing with it whilst trying to stay on her egg.  Does he not get she'd rather have some breakfast? Good grief! Keep watching...
https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/watch-wildlife-online/loch-of-the-lowes-webcam/ 
RogerP
West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire
Everything taken together, here in Lincolnshire are more good things than man could have had the conscience to ask.
William Cobbett, in his Rural Rides - c.1830
Summer1995
10 May 2025 19:44:47
Beautiful long-eared owl
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+3
Roger Parsons
15 May 2025 16:27:16
We've been enjoying this year's starling "teenagers" as they discover what fun it is to all have a bath together! What a riot! It's amazing how much topping-up I've had to do. We've had quite a crowd in the garden today learning the ropes. One thumped into a window in what looked like a chasing or racing game. I've put 2 fat blocks up for the parents to use. Great success!
Nice webpage:
Baby Starlings: All You Need To Know
https://birdfact.com/birds/starling/baby-starlings 
RogerP
West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire
Everything taken together, here in Lincolnshire are more good things than man could have had the conscience to ask.
William Cobbett, in his Rural Rides - c.1830
Roger Parsons
19 May 2025 16:39:19
Heard 4+ cuckoos at Fiskerton Fen yesterday.
https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/fiskerton-fen 
RogerP
West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire
Everything taken together, here in Lincolnshire are more good things than man could have had the conscience to ask.
William Cobbett, in his Rural Rides - c.1830
The Beast from the East
20 May 2025 00:54:13
Anyone else experiencing an infestation of small moths? All over place at the moment, outside and in the house
Purley, Surrey, 70m ASL

"We have some alternative facts for you"

Kelly-Ann Conway - former special adviser to the President

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