I have a local birding patch; i.e an area local to where I live that I go on a regular basis to bird-watch. I recommend we all have one. After a period of time you gradually know what lives locally and what doesn’t and at what time of year, it also provides a great excuseContinue reading “Day 20 – Wigeon”
Tag Archives: UK wildlife
Day 19 – Fox
I was sorely tempted to write about another thrush today as another species appeared in my garden today, but I thought two in two days is a bit much; best save it for a rainy day. So today’s species is one that I encountered on the way home from work in the early hours ofContinue reading “Day 19 – Fox”
Day 18 – Song Thrush
As I try to sit down to write this, yet again my dad comes in to witter on and on and on about whatever subject is in his head at the moment (I’m living with the folks at the mo; not cool I know). He typically comes in when I’m trying to do something important;Continue reading “Day 18 – Song Thrush”
Day 16 – Mute Swan
Just over halfway gone for my initial target of a one species per day for the month of Janaury (also stayed off alcohol too in this period as an aside). Today it’s back to birds. Yesterday, adjacent to the Yew was a pair of Mute Swans who had swam over the lake and presumably sawContinue reading “Day 16 – Mute Swan”
Day 15 – Yew
Not a female sheep today but an evergreen shrub/tree. One of the UK’s only native conifer species (the other being the Scot’s Pine) it is a species steeped in history. So without further ado… What: Yew Taxus baccata L. When: 15th January 2020 Where: Poynton Pool, Cheshire, UK Who saw it: Me How did IContinue reading “Day 15 – Yew”
Day 14 – Brown Hare
I’ve done some paid wildlife surveying today! I assisted a local ecological consultants in a site survey for wintering birds. Not many birds to be frank, other than on the adjacent Ribble Estuary so I’ve gone for the highlight of the survey, not a bird but a mammal. What: Brown Hare Lepus europaeus Pallas 1778Continue reading “Day 14 – Brown Hare”
Day 13 – Coot
Today Storm Brendan approaches and whilst it won’t be as windy here in North West England as elsewhere (Ireland in particular) it is still a pretty windy day. Nevertheless I’ve managed to get out for a walk around my local park, so I have another species! I’m realising this blog is rather bird heavy atContinue reading “Day 13 – Coot”
Day 12 – Holly Leaf Miner
Today’s species sighting dates from last year but I’ve only just worked out what it is thanks to someone posting a photo the same species in a Facebook group I’m a member of. There seems to be a Facebook group for every niche possible! What: Holly Leaf Miner Phytomyza ilicis Curtis, 1846 When: 13th NovemberContinue reading “Day 12 – Holly Leaf Miner”
Day 11 – Lapwing
Today I’ve been to watch the British Dodgeball Open in Cannock, Staffordshire so I’ve not really been outside. But I did see a few things on the journey down so one of those is today’s subject. What: (Northern) Lapwing Vanellus vanellus (Linnaeus, 1758) When: 11th January 2020 Where: Astbury, Cheshire, UK Who saw it? Me,Continue reading “Day 11 – Lapwing”
Day 10 – Raven
Today has been a struggle to think about what to write about. Sure there are common birds in the garden I could write about but I’m not sure I want to write about the easier birds too quickly, if I carry this on after the end of this month I’m quickly going to be runningContinue reading “Day 10 – Raven”
A Species a Day 