Blackcaps and Mallards

After not going round Abney for a while, and missing it, I have had a couple of magic moments, almost as a welcome back. A hoverfly in my path was giving me the once over. I put my arm out and he landed on me. Unfortunately I put my right arm out so could get a photo, next time I will put my left arm out. I have done this many times and not had anything actually land on me, so this felt special. To be trusted by a creature that small, even as far as that, is a rare thing.

Then today two blackcaps were having a territorial dispute in a bush about 4 foot away from me. They were so focused on what they were doing that they carried on as if I wasn’t there. They had a sing-off for over 5 minutes, with one eventually being intimidated and flying away, pursued by the other one. The music was jaw dropping. Wonderful. Again no photo, too many leaves in the way.

The only photos of birds I have got are of a robin on a regularly used observation post, and a mallard displaced from the local park in this breeding season. He stood on the path as if he was simply another Abney user.

Mallard male 22.04.2015

“Robin 23.4.2015

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Spring in Abney

Lesser Celandine, Spanish Bluebells and Japaneese Knotweed, 20.4.2015

I know it is a little late, but the spring in Abney is up and buzzing. The early insects were really early after the very mild spring. In my garden, a stones throw from Abney, the slugs and snails have been up and about all winter so their numbers are going to be huge this year. There have been some bees and spiders about all winter, more than usual. Invertebrate numbers this year could be massive.

Osmia bicornis or rufa, Red Mason Bee, 20.4.2015

As the invertebrates have been around, the birds that eat them have also had a good winter. The breeding season is showing promise. Parakeets are definately going through their breeding rituals, and the dawn chorus is noisy with territorial holding well underway.

Flowers and Bracts of Handkerchief Tree, 20.4.2015

I have great hopes for this year.

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