Soudley ponds and cannop ponds (again)

Soudley ponds

Nice shaped piece of wood

Robin -favourite picture of the day

Ladybird

Mallard Duckling

Cyril Hart arboretum and Cannop Ponds.

We went to Cyril Hart arboretum nr Speech House on thursday. There is over 200 species of tree there some of which were pretty cool. We also took a walk along to Speech house lake, which unlike the last time we visited was eerily quiet, hopefully awaiting its winter migrants. 

Coal tit and sparrow 

Blue tit

Chaffinch

Coal tit

Nuthatch

After the arboretum we decided to go check on the Mute swan family at Cannop ponds. We were greeted again by the Little Grebes and this time I managed to get a semi decent shot.

Adult Little Grebe

The Mute swan cob was still chasing ducklings and at one point separated a family of Mallards, with a couple of babies being trapped in the reeds near us.

Mute swan pen after ducking down and stirring the sludge on the bottom up in the hopes of finding a meal.

The cygnets were all flapping and simulating take off's on the water so I don't think it will be long before they leave. 

Insects!

Gatekeeper 

Speckled wood

Small white with damaged wings

Female Emerald Damselfly?

Birds of the day!

Went to Cannop Ponds and Woorgreen lake today with Katie from life in the forest. We were both pleased to see the Mute swan family doing so well this year. They have managed to raise all 7 of their cygnets which originally hatched without losing any. 

Sleepy Cygnet

Trio 

"I have my eye on you"

Focusing on the one in front and the one in back does something interesting, typical.

Dad. Cob Mute swan. He was still being very vigilant and was always aware of what was going on around him. At one point a mother and two toddlers came up to them and she told the kids not to look at him or he would attack them. Not sure what she on about to be honest but made us both laugh.

Dad having a preen

Mum. Pen having a doze

A first for both of us Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)

Little grebe juvenile 

woodland stroll

Went out for a quick stroll through the woods after having seen a doe and fawn several times over the last week or so. Alas they didn't appear today but did get a few other interesting shots. First off I spotted this guy staking out a field in the search for food on the way back from Monmouth.

Buzzard

Photo showing how important 'weeds' such as this ragwort are, you can see 5 insects of four different species on this one plant. 

Cinnabar Moth caterpillar 

Hover fly on Ragwort 

Toadlet 

Woorgreen Lake again!

Popped to the lake today with Katie from life in the forest, to take my mind off a few family problems. There was a lot of insect activity and 2 grey herons were back on the lake though they both alluded us yet again and the picture below is about the best I could get.

Grey Heron

Canada Goose juvenile 

Greylag goose gosling

Female Mallard

Speckled Wood Butterfly