First Post of 2025!

Two Muntjac drinking by the pond and eating the emerging marginal plants!

(Click to zoom!)

I got myself a ghillie suit this week... It was 100% down to the suit that enabled me to just sit next to a large sedge clump by the pond and wait for the deer to show up.  They certainly looked in my direction, but could not quite work out what I was,  they seemed to be settled with me being there - the wind was in my favour, and I managed to get these shots.  The pair of little Grebes on the pond were not so easily fooled and refused to come out to play all afternoon!

As a double bonus, two days ago I just happened to be walking around the pond before sunset and I spotted this little fella - a Water Vole! It was eating the vegitation at the side of the pond; when I disturbed it, it plopped into the water (as they do) and dissapered from site. - It was too dark to get a good picture so I have put the camera trap out in the hope that I can get some footage of "ratty" from wind in the willows.  

About time!

After everyone noticing the lack of insects so far this year, they have finally started to show themselves at LBF - timing seems to have aligned to the wildlflowers now starting to put in an appearance.  The 'BUZZ' of insects is nothing like it was last year, but hopfully it will continue to improve. Click individual image and zoom for higher resolution and magnification. Must start the big butterfly count at the weekend while the sun is out!

 

The new and the old.

 The Teasels are starting to come into flower

Alien Woodworm!

Bank Vole

Bank Vole feasting on some sun flower seeds I put in one of the habitat stacks I made a few years ago in the wood.

Couldn't resit taking a few more shots today of the Blue Arrows

 Two captured on camera for the first time.

Lots of posturing going on between the two!

Bonus offer was that I confirmed the sight of two Little Owls on the way to the pond - the one here seems to be a juvenille.  See previous post of one of the parents. Their home is the bale stack next to LBF. 

... and a Morehen picking aquatic life hiding in the water lillies.