Woodcock

While I do believe in having the freedom to roam, that has to be balanced with the rights of the owners of the land. Therefore I very pleased when I got permission to access the land owned by one of the farmers that abuts Chopwell wood. However as the farmer has sheep that are due to lamb shortly, that direct access has to wait until the lambing is over.

Often just by talking to these people I find that they can provide me with valuable information regarding wildlife activity. Thus armed I went out very early this morning to see if I could see Hares. One of the areas where they are active is right on fields that border the wood. Therefore, I could stay in the cover of the trees to wait for them. That required getting down to the location before dawn.

As high winds and gales were forecast, I had no idea if I would be able to carry this out, so I set the alarm for three AM, and went to bed. There was wind and rain, but I judged that the winds were not dangerous. Walking through the woods at night can be magical, however this early morning I really did feel spooked as every creak of a bough made me nervous. However the noise from the wind and the trees enabled me to walk to within ten feet or so of three Roe Deer. They didn't see or hear me, nor I them until I was on them. I switched on the camera but I guess it was the sound of the flash charging that alerted them to me and they disappeared.

I got to the area I needed to be and set about finding a suitable location to wait. I had already scouted out the area and I knew of a perfect spot, but in the dark rediscovering that point was a bit more tricky. But I did find it and set myself up ready for the long wait. I had about two hours before dawn and almost immediately I could hear a woodcock calling. I know that there are woodcock in the wood as I have seen them, I have nearly stepped on them, but what was puzzling me was where the low croaking call was coming from, it was above and in front of me.

Now from what I could remember this nocturnal bird did its display flight in the evening, I have previously gone looking to see it. Therefore, I was surprised to find it going on in the small hours of the morning. As the pre dawn light gathered I could just make out the Woodcock on its display flight, known as a Roding (yes I had to look that up). While I could not see any I guessed that there must be a female near by.

As the video can film in very low light I set up and waited for the sky to lighten enough but the Woodcock disappeared before there was enough light. As the days lengthen I may get the chance to film it latter in the spring.

With the Woodcock gone I settled down to wait to see if the Hares turned up. Well after three and half hours I realised they were not going to appear. So while I didn't get what I came to see I did get a pleasant surprise instead.

Photo Credit to Eurasian Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola)Sweden© Jörgen Wiklund

Wildlife and the Supermarket

I had hopes that today I could take some time out and obtain some much-needed rest. But as the old saying goes the best laid plans of mice… Well this mouse found that his plans were all put to rest a long while ago. Thus apart from tackling housework and all that, I had to make a trip to the supermarket today as well.

Where I have been so busy combined with the exertions of yesterday as well, I over slept this morning. Normally I do rise much earlier than do most people, half past four to five in the morning is not an unusual occurrence for me. But today it was gone nine. That had the consequence that I missed the free bus to the Tesco store in the main town. Not that this was a major problem as I could still get the afternoon one. However, with all that I needed to do I suddenly found myself running out of morning. Thus I shot up to the post office, we are lucky as the government have failed to close this one down yet, and on the way I saw that the council were cutting the long grass behind the village bus shelter.

This large expanse of grass is allowed to grow long providing shelter for insects and wild flowers. While far from a perfect natural history site it is still a good place for wildlife. Further, as I was walking towards the post office I was thinking that it would not be long before the Red Kites find this and start looking for food there. Then as I look up, there was one of the Red Kites, seeing that cheered me up no end.

Walking back I tried to see where the Kite might have gone but I couldn’t see it and guessed that it must have gone further a field than the village. Just in case it was lower down or even on the ground picking up a feed I scanned the area of the cut grass, to
My astonishment I saw a hare suddenly run out of a small hollow in the ground and disappear rapidly from my sight. While I knew that hares were around, it is the first time that I can positively say that I have seen one and that I may have seen a rabbit that I had misidentified as a hare.

Then a short time latter while waiting for the bus to take me to the supermarket, I spotted the Red Kite again, clearly quartering a field. They are a magnificent sight, so graceful and elegant, it made me feel less frustrated at having to waste my time doing the weekly shopping.

The picture is of quarry pond that others and I were working on yesterday.