Here is one of a pair of Common Tern seeing of a Red Kite that was flying directly above the Terns Nesting site. (The female Tern was sat quietly on the nest). The Kite was shoed away from the lake.
I have pictures of just 3 birds (species) today, but they are all nice in their own way.
We were at Pitstone Water this afternoon, walking round the Wildlife Trust route on the south side. There were a pair of Red Kites that buzzed us as we got out of the car in the car park (and later went on to harass a pair of Common Tern).
**technically, this is a slug trap for the garden. Practically, it is an all night (and day?) bar for the Wood Rat that lives in my backyard. (the Dusky Footed Woodrat, Neotoma fuscipes -- native of Southern California -- also known as the "pack rat")
If you're wondering where the loose change you dropped on your back patio is... likely it's back in the pack rat midden...
From the NWF: "Members of the genus Neotoma are also called packrats because they have a tendency to hoard things, especially shiny objects left out by humans. Woodrats are also called “trade rats,” because when they come across a new treasure, they’ll drop whatever they’re carrying in order to pick up the new item, effectively trading one token for the other. " #traderats#treasure#woodrats
Here is a Eurasian Wren that's just nabbed a grub. Had to lighten this image up a little cos it was a tad dark in this section of the wood this evening
The walk round the reserve this evening was full of the sound of nature. I bumped into just 2 people on the 2.5 mile wonder this evening. Such a peaceful place. After a week's work it's nice to experience this freedom.
Photo, part of the circular walk at Summer Leys UK
Been a busy old week.. Only managed to get out this evening at witching hour, and the light faded fast. Had to find things that didn't move to fast 🤣 like this Orchid. I'm no flower expert, so can't tell you what it is (purple spotted maybe).