Sunday 12 May 2013

Strumpshaw fen Biodiversity week

This week at Strumpshaw fen we have our annual biodiversity recording week- Monday to Sunday.
So we are asking as many people to come along and record as many species of everything as they can- from grass to grasshoppers to grasshopper warblers!!

I am opening moth traps in front of anyone who wants to see each morning between 9 and 10, hopefully the warmer cloudy nights will give a good catch for the week.

Andy brazil is doing a butterfly and dragonfly walk on Tuesday and Sunday (book for a place on these- he is so knowledgeable, you're guaranteed to learn something new with him leading.

Saturday is our adult orientated day (not in a rude way although Great tits may be on show!).
On this day we are running about 6 guided walks covering birds, insects, bees and hopefully plants as well as the opportunity to make a bee box for the garden etc.

Sunday is our family day so there will be events for families more suited to children, pond dipping, bug hunts and a bird bingo trail as well as other fun filled events.

If you want to come and record come along at any time during the week or weekend but call in at the office to get a bit of info as to where you are allowed off the trails and what to do with your records.

Fingers crossed the weather will be kind to us, but with May you just have to be prepared for all eventualities!

Friday 10 May 2013

A few more good additions

A great couple of weeks at the fen has seen my total rise to 138, 2 full on patch ticks in the form of a cracking subad male Monty's harrier this morning and a all too brief Nightingale yesterday morning. Other additions included a Turtle Dove and 2 Cranes. Finally a few 3 pointers to up my points total!

A few dodgy pics of this mornings harrier, fantastic bird showed so well, if only i hadn't taken my camera out of my bag this morning!- photos taken with my phone :(