A blog and photo journal about the natural history of north-west England and beyond
Pied Flycatcher (male) With rain and and a nagging cold north-westerly wind replacing April’s early warmth its not been particularly good weather for trying to photograph or see anything over the past couple of weeks. However this morning the showers were forecasted to die out Read More …
Returning this year on the 21st April the continuous chattering song of the Reed Warbler is one of the more distinctive bird songs found around Chorlton Water Park. Whilst the song is instantly recognizable trying to get a clear view of one is a bit Read More …
The majority of the local Blackcaps appear to have paired up and the nesting season has begun Female Blackcap gathering dried grass from below an old, gnarled Elder tree at Chorlton Ees. Yet more grass being gathered. The male was fairly close by fly-catching from Read More …
The local Whitehroats have been returning to their summer territories over the past couple of weeks. The distinctive scratchy warble is unmistakable and a real sign that summer is just around the corner. The first wave of this year’s arrivals seemed to be relatively quiet Read More …
There may be trouble ahead. One of the local Buzzards sets a course to intercept one of four intruders looking for an easy meal over Kenworthy Wood. Due to a combination of a Myxamatosis outbreak and a healthy population of foxes we now have the Read More …
The amazingly warm hazy days of April 2005 continue. A great opportunity for an early morning visit to Chorlton Water Park. Since 2008 the South Manchester Ring necked Parakeets have steadily increased from around 7 birds to 70. Still some way to go to rival Read More …
Peacock Butterfly on the freshly opened Cherry blossom at the edge of the Orchard in Kenworthy Wood. Also several Small Tortoiseshells and a Brimstone. Great to see the warm sunshine has brought out many of the local butterflies. A male Orange Tip on a fresh Read More …
A quick look back at Spring before it becomes a distant memory. A superb display of Wood Anemones carpeting the woodland floor at Marbury Country Park. 7th April and not a leaf to be seen on any of the trees. Snakeshead Fritillary on the woodland Read More …
Well here’s something I didn’t expect to turn up on our doorstep. Fearing for its future in a back garden shared with chickens, cats and a very large puppy a neighbour brought it around in a jam jar. Unfortunately our garden complete with a large Read More …
