Canalside Flora & Fauna

29/02/2012

2012-02-29T13:19:00.000-08:00

20/02/2012

2012-02-20T06:25:00.003-08:00

Can you see me yet???

A bird with such grace.

Taken on the summit of the Leicester Line.

04/12/2012

2011-12-05T09:47:00.001-08:00

26/11/2011

2011-11-26T09:38:00.001-08:00

24/11/2011

2011-11-25T04:17:00.001-08:00

02/11/2011

2011-11-02T05:37:00.001-07:00

15/10/2011

2011-10-15T07:02:00.001-07:00

Today's delights.

2011-09-26T11:27:00.001-07:00

A little fuzzy, but I was so delighted to get this photograph of a Brambling.

The Common Darter Dragonfly.

A Spider guarding her web.

Can you see me.

This dear little mouse came out to see what the day was going to bring.

Greater Spotted Woodpecker.

2011-09-26T01:35:00.001-07:00

Spotted (No pun intended) this stunning bird in a tree close to the boat.

A really beautiful bird.

Today's visitor.

2011-09-10T09:15:00.001-07:00

A beautiful Grass Snake swan past the boat this afternoon.

Flora and Fauna 09/09/2011

2011-09-09T08:46:00.001-07:00

More Fauna.

2011-09-07T07:37:00.001-07:00

Common Blue Butterfly.

European Mink.

Robin looking a little tatty.

Christmas is coming.

Quick hide, she is going to take our photograph.

Go away we are hiding.

Speckled Wood Butterfly.

Garden Spider - Araneus diadematus.

Today at Shugborough.

2011-08-22T09:12:00.001-07:00

Bumble Bee taking a huge interest in the Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera). Believe it or not it is a relative of the Busy Lizzy. The Himalayan balsam, not the Bumble Bee ha ha ha.

Once the nectar was enjoyed it was a matter of reversing out.

This dear little Robin (Erithacus rubecula) was quite happy to have its photo taken.

Large piece of Fungi, which was rather pretty.

There were plenty of Ladybirds around again today. There seems to have been a boom in Ladybirds this year.

Flora and Fauna at Harecastle Tunnel.

2011-08-18T09:20:00.001-07:00

Peacock Butterfly.

Common Toadflax.

Speckled Wood Butterfly.

Good old Bumble Bee.

Fungi.

Gatekeeper Butterfly.

2011-08-17T08:36:00.000-07:00

The Gatekeeper Butterfly.

I spotted this one in the field next to the boat.

Greenfinch.

2011-08-14T11:16:00.001-07:00

Our little visitor today was a Greenfinch (Carduelis chloris)

Where to see them

A common countryside bird found in woods and hedges, but mostly found close to man on farmland and in parks, town and village gardens and orchards. Only absent from upland areas without trees and bushes.

When to see them

All year round.

Greenfinch populations declined during the late 1970s and early 1980s, but increased dramatically during the 1990s. A recent decline in numbers has been linked to an outbreak of trichomonosis, a parasite-induced disease which prevents the birds from feeding properly.

A Heron Day.

2011-08-05T11:57:00.001-07:00

On our way from Bratch to the Shropshire Union Canal we saw a number of Heron's today.

Some just stood like statues whilst we passed, others took flight.

Others were happy to stand on boats in the sunshine.

Yesterday at Prestwood.

2011-08-04T02:34:00.001-07:00

The wooded area at Prestwood was alive with birds and insects today. So it would have been rude not to have gone out with my camera and tripod.

Mr Blackbird carrying two orange berries, possibly from a Rowan tree.

Damselfly.

Wasp or Bee Hive.

Either a Reed or Marsh Warbler.

A rather pretty snail, which will probably end up as a meal for some bird.

Did you know?
A single garden snail can have 430 babies in a year.

A bee on some Ragwart.

European Nuthatch, who was almost to quick for me.

Spot the Greater Spotted Woodpecker. Not a great photograph, but it was nice to see it anyway. We were also treated to Squirrels, a Peacock and all the usual suspects.

Ladybirds.

2011-08-01T11:30:00.001-07:00

Ladybirds belong to the scientific family Coccinellidae.

In this country we have 46 different species belonging to this family.

Of course our native species are threatened by the Harlequin Ladybird which arrived in this country in 2004.

You can join in with a survey looking at the Harlequin Ladybird. http://www.harlequin-survey.org/

Himalayan Balsam.

2011-08-01T11:20:00.001-07:00

Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera), Indian Balsam, Policeman's Helmet, Jumping Jacks, Nuns, Bee-Bums, Poor man's Orchid. They are all names for the same plant, which is taking over.

Did you know we have John Forbes Royle to thank for this pest. It was introduced to the UK by a John Forbes Royle. He was born in India in 1799 but educated in Scotland, and had a keen interest in botany. The plant was initially grown in greenhouses, but seeds escaped and it was found to be quite hardy. It was not long before plants were popping up all over the place. You mainly seem near water.

Himalayan Balsam is Britain's tallest growing annual plant, often reaching 3 metres.

I do have to say that despite it being so evasive, just like the Japanese Knotweed. The bee inside one of the flowers did seem to be happy though, so the plant is not all bad.

Hungry Mouse

2011-07-29T09:35:00.001-07:00

I took this photograph some 3 years ago when we went to the Shackerstone Boat Festival. It was very keen to take this piece of bread into its hole.

Moorhens in a scrap.

2011-07-28T07:41:00.001-07:00

Moorhens fighting on the Leicester Line of the Grand Union Canal at Market Harborough.

Damselflies in courtship.

2011-07-28T07:39:00.001-07:00

Damselflies mating.

Dandelion.

2011-07-28T07:35:00.001-07:00

The Dandelion - Taraxacum officinale.

It is also known as Blowball, Cankerwort, Clock Flower, Irish Daisy, Lion's Tooth, Milk Witch, Monk's Head, Piss-a-bed, Priest's Crown, Puffball, Swine Snout, Telltime, White Endive, Wild Endive. Such a lot of names for a plant. It is actually a member of the Sunflower family, which is not that surprising considering its colour.

There are many folklore beliefs relating to the white fluffy seed head. Blowing it away completely in one go while making a wish will make it come true, or it means that you have a passionate lover. But should some of the seeds remain your lover has reservations and a lot remaining means you may not be right for each other after all. The number of blows taken to remove all of the seeds reveals the time, hence the name Telltime. The number of seeds remaining after one puff indicates the age at which you will die ( not sure I like that one). Blow the seed in the direction of a friend to send a message. For a good outcome to all of these folklore beliefs I reckon you should choose a really dry, ripe seed head for the best outcome.

The Dandelion is one of the most frequently recorded plants in medicine. It is a mild laxative and diuretic, has been used for coughs and colds, as a tonic and blood purifier, for skin conditions, joint pain, eczema and liver conditions such as hepatitis and jaundice. Its most popular use in folk medicine is for removal of warts by dabbing the white sap from the roots on them. In parts of Ireland the leaves were a remedy for toothache because of the leaf shape.
Dandelions can reduce blood-sugar levels so should be avoided by diabetics; also if pregnant or breast feeding.

But of course before using anything like this for medical purposes you should contact your GP first.

Common Wild Rabbit.

2011-07-28T07:22:00.001-07:00

The name 'rabbit' was originally applied to a young rabbit. The adult being called a 'cony'.

Size and weight; The rabbit measures about 16 inches and weighs 3 - 4 lbs. When bread for meat, it can reach 15 lb.
Description: It has a black to buff coat, white belly and a short upturned tail. The female or doe is smaller and has a narrower head than the buck or male.
Life-Span: Rabbits in the wild rarely live longer than 12 months, there is a 90% mortality rate.
Reproduction: On average a doe will produce about 10 live young/year.
Gestation Period: Approximately four weeks.
Sexual Maturity: Three to four months.
Range: An adult rabbit will rarely venture firther than 200 metres from the main burrow, but juveniles can move up to 4 kilometres at the end of the breeding season.
Damage: This is estimated to run to £100 million per annum.
Food: Will eat 500 grams a day of green food, in other words they can eat up to 30% of their own weight in grass or crops.

A social animal, the rabbit lives in colonies in warrens.

Longhorn Beetle.

2011-07-27T09:25:00.001-07:00

Photographed this Longhorn Beetle ( Strangalia quadrifasciata) whilst at Upton-on-Severn.

Barn Owl.

2011-07-24T11:45:00.001-07:00

The Barn Owl - Tyto alba.

I know these Barn Owls were not photographed in the wild, but as they are my favourite bird, I am going to post this photograph I took at Etruria Festival back in June.

The Barn Owl has been declining, due to the loss of nesting places, habitat and the over use of pesticides, but if you are lucky enough to see one, it will probably be in open country, along field edges, riverbanks and roadside verges.

I have been lucky enough to see Barn Owls hunting. They eat Mice, Voles and Shrews, but will take worms etc if need be.

The best time to see them , well that is anytime all year round; during the day, but the best time is at dusk.

Seed Heads.

2011-07-22T00:59:00.001-07:00

Goat's-Beard - Tragopogon pratensis

It is a native biennial similar in appearance to a tall, stately dandelion

Goat’s-beard is often known by the alternative names of “Jack-go-to-bed-at-noon” and “Noon-flower”, because of the curious behaviour of its flowers.

It is usually found on road verges, meadows, pastures, field margins and waste ground.

I love how intricate they are in their construction.

Quote of the Day:

2011-07-21T00:30:00.001-07:00

Speak in anger and you'll give the greatest speech you'll ever regret.
--Anonymous

Grey Heron

2011-07-20T12:17:00.001-07:00

The Grey Heron - Ardea cinerea

I see them almost everyday, but you can see them on Wetland marshes, gravel pits, reservoirs, lakes and rivers and estuaries. Usually seen standing silently at the water's edge, waiting for prey. Will come to gardens with ornamental fish ponds and fish farms.

You can see them all year round and they eat fish, frogs and insects. They will also take ducklings.

Yellow Hammer.

2011-07-20T12:04:00.001-07:00

Yellow Hammer - Emberiza citrinella

The Yellow Hammer was taken on the Leicester Line, Grand Union Canal in the Spring.

They are found across the UK and can be seen all year round.

They eat seeds and insects.

Reed Bunting.

2011-07-20T11:30:00.000-07:00

Reed Bunting - Emberiza schoeniclus

This one was taken on the Leicester Line of the Grand Union Canal.

Where to see them

Predominantly a farmland and wetland bird. Typically found in wet vegetation but has recently spread into farmland and, in winter, into gardens. When singing the male usually perched on top of a bush, or reed.

When to see them

All year round.

What they eat

Seeds and insects

Blue Tits.

2011-07-20T11:25:00.001-07:00

The Blue Tit - Cyanistes caeruleus

Its colourful mix of blue, yellow, white and green make the blue tit one of the most attractive resident garden birds. This was a pair of tits nesting in a wall at Welford Wharf.
I spent ages watching this wonderful family and their efforts to keep their family fed and clean.

Bee Orchid

2011-07-20T11:15:00.000-07:00

Bee Orchid - Ophrys apifera

The bee Orchid is an herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the family Orchidaceae.

The Bee Orchid grows to a height of 15–50 centimetres (5.9–20 in). I found this one at Saltisford.

Greater Spotted Woodpecker.

2011-07-20T11:09:00.000-07:00

The Greater Spotted Woodpecker - Dendrocopos major.

I took this earlier in the Summer and as you can see the bird has flies ready for its young, who were in a nest not far from where I took this photo. I could actually hear the young in the nest calling.

Kingfisher at rest.

2011-07-20T11:03:00.000-07:00

Fauna along the Stroudwater Canal.

2011-07-20T08:07:00.000-07:00

Grasshoppers.

A Grasshopper is an amazing insect that can leap 20 times the length of its own body. If you or I could do that, we would be able to jump almost 40 yards!

Red Admiral - Vanessa atalanta

What does it eat?

Adults drink nectar from flowers: buddleia is a favourite. Feeds on rotting fruit in autumn. Caterpillars eat stinging nettles.

When will I see it?

Adults and caterpillars between May and October.

Where will I see it?

Feeding on a variety of flowers, basking in the sunshine. Found in most flowery places in urban and rural locations.

Froglet

Damselflies are insects in the sub-order Zygoptera (meaning "paired-wings")

Painted Lady Butterfly - Cynthia cardui

What does it eat?

Adults drink nectar from flowers. Caterpillars eat thistles, stinging nettles and mallows.

When will I see it?

Adults from May to October.

Caterpillars from May to September.

Where will I see it?

Feeding on a variety of nectar-rich flowers: buddleia is a favourite. Basking in the sunshine. Caterpillars on thistles. Also in parks, meadows, roadsides, hedgerows.