2 Banded Demoiselle on River Douglas this afternoon by Coppull Lane dam, one just downstream, one just upstream. 2 Common Blue, 3 Meadow Brown and 1 Large Skipper seen in quick circuit around dam
watched what i think was a daubentons bat hunting on the leeds / liverpool 0400 this morning, kept flying in and out of the small humpback bridge that goes over the little pond that joins the canal, further down from the red rock bridge. thought id seen one at the red rock bridge but could nt be certain.
American Skunk Cabbage along the River Douglas in the Lower Plantations - two plants visible from the bridge along the main access off Wigan Lane. Marsh Marigold and Wood Anemone also flowering in the vicinity.
A walk in the park this morning looking for tracks was mainly disapointing, even at 9.30 the snow was thawing and dropping off branches completely wiping out any decent tracks. yellow snow near one of the fox dens might at least mean checking again in the near future and fresh tracks in the mud on the Dougy could possibly be Water Vole but Brown Rat cant be discounted, I struggle to differenciate these two.
Water Vole present on pond in upper plantations again today, brief view and didnt show despite a long watch, several good signs of activity though including a small feeding platform.
Nice views of a Roe Deer that startled me on the bank of the River Douglas, he went across the Dougy to the other bank and looked back, giving me chance to get a nice Photo.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulrisley/
-- Edited by Paul Risley on Monday 24th of December 2012 06:44:39 PM
Common Darters along Canal between Sennicar Lane bridge and Pendlebury Lane Bridge, first time I've seen them here, at least 8. http://youtu.be/amGDXNLFheU
late mooch for deer and foxes drew a blank, A Rabbit, 4 pipistrelles and 2 half grown frogs were the only other wildlife of note. oh and the midges were out in force and biting
Sennicar Lane-Pendlebury Lane (west of canal) today:
plants in flower inc Yellow Dead-Nettle, Marsh Marigold, first few Bluebells in flower, Primrose, Butterbur, Forget Me Not sp, Dogs Mercury, Lesser Celandine, Dandelion, Opposite-Leaved Golden Saxifrage
in the slightly cooler conditions just 1 Small Tortoiseshell and single queens of Buff-Tailed and White-Tailed Bumblebees
first butterflies today around Aspull sough, small tortoiseshell, Peacock and a Comma, Frogs still mating in lower plantations. couple of nights ago had 5 pipistrelle bats hunting around the pathways
A queen Garden Bumblebee was out foraging in Lady Mabels Wood, and rather bizarrely there was a red & white British Friesian cow wandering about between the trees
Aspull Sough 2nd wetland pond/marsh absolutly bubbling with mating frogs, quite a bit of Spawn, pond in upper plantations near to old dissused Railway also has a lot of Spawn in it, couple of other ponds still empty and at another a Buzzard flew off on my approach carrying a frog.
Took an Apple an left it out for the Bank voles at the feeding station today, they didnt disapoint, after about 10 mins one showed in the undergrowth, possibly 2 they move that quick. I put the apple a bit to far from cover and for several mins the Vole tried several locations to see how it could get closer to the apple and remain in cover, as it was too dark for photo's I put the apple into the cover and left hopefully they got it before the Squirrels
3 Roe Deer at the western edge of the fishing lodge off Meadow Pit Lane at 7:30 this morning. Also, at least 7 Grey Squirrels seen around the School Lane/Sennicar Covert area...(very little bird-wise today ).
-- Edited by Ian Woosey on Sunday 6th of November 2011 12:09:08 PM
Pipistrelles showing well tonight along the lanes with about 8 individuals which is good for this area (well at least for me ) at one point four came towards me at once and I ducked Also of note were a couple of giant puffballs, been waiting and hoping for these to appear since I found the remains of them last year, not in the best of nick but still chances of some more being around, it was too dark for a good search. finally thanks to Dave for hosting the previous website, I learned a lot from it and enjoyed it. and to Ian for taking it on board here, cheers guys
).
Also of note were a couple of giant puffballs, been waiting and hoping for these to appear since I found the remains of them last year, not in the best of nick but still chances of some more being around, it was too dark for a good search. finally thanks to Dave for hosting the previous website, I learned a lot from it and enjoyed it. and to Ian for taking it on board here, cheers guys 