Aug 2008
Weather This Month
Max Temp = 20.1 deg C Min Temp = 8.8 deg C
Max Wind 14 mph Max Rain in 24 hr Period = 9.3 mm
Max Rain in 1 hr Period = 2.5 mm Total Rain For Month = 23.3 mm
Diary
6th. The weather has continued wet yet stuffy but this has not slowed the garden in it's turn toward late summer with the amount of young birds passing through either to find their own bit of the planet or as they head further South as migration grips a number of our summer breeding birds. Who can blame them as they think about spending the winter months in South Africa! A picture of a classic migration bird to start with. It's always nice to see this harbinger of Spring with his majestic flute like song but on this occasion this young bird is more likely passing through and feeding up as he heads South, I always bid them good luck.
A good view of this bird at this angle shows the classic longer wing length over the tertials which are an absolute clincher for Willow Warbler rather than it's twin the Chiff Chaff. As you can see the leg colour here is quite dark which can cause confusion along with other variations apart from the song!
A close up of him on next doors conservatory what a beauty!
Another few that I have managed to capture on camera even though the light was poor due to the early time of the morning and the poor light. They all seem to prefer the early mornings to visit as I presume that it is when they are the most desperate for food after a night of inactivity.
This Juvenile Wood Pigeon (note the lack of white on the neck sides) is one of three that have visited of late although they are unsure as to why there parents have brought them!
A poor picture again due to the distance and light levels but it clearly shows another young bird as the red on the head is only present on the Juvenile with the adult female having no red at all on her head or neck but the male having a red patch on his neck (or nape as it is known) This Great Spotted Woodpecker has also brought his sibling with him so I hope they will stick around for a while. In encouragement of this I have put out to of the finest fat cakes either side of the peanuts but as yet only the Starlings have shown interest in them.
This party of young Wrens has been feeding in the garden for the last few weeks and one individual has taken an interest in our parasol, I presume for insects under any flaps and folds and also to soak up a bit of warmth whilst the sun quickly showed his face
This sibling decided that being tucked up in bed was not the done thing so he tried to wake him!
To no avail I might add!
I am still waiting for the chance of a picture of our now two visiting young Bullfinch and are very brightly coloured Male Lesser Redpoll. I got a picture of the Bullfinch but they were very poor and nostly blurred.