essex buzzard
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Re: essex buzzard
So there you have it. A November diary page, packed with butterflies. Now I wasn't expecting that!
With more glorious sunshine on Sunday, it was time for a walk in Epping Forest. The autumn colours, the blue sky and the sunshine made for a most enjoyable walk. This is hornbeam, a native hardwood that was one of the last trees to reach Britain, before we broke off from the continent. It is restricted to south-east England. That night,came the first widespread frost of the season.
With more glorious sunshine on Sunday, it was time for a walk in Epping Forest. The autumn colours, the blue sky and the sunshine made for a most enjoyable walk. This is hornbeam, a native hardwood that was one of the last trees to reach Britain, before we broke off from the continent. It is restricted to south-east England. That night,came the first widespread frost of the season.
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Re: essex buzzard
Great shots from Dungerness essex, the colours of the butterflies and flowers in that light..
I think we all appreciate Autumn forest walking.
Cheers
I think we all appreciate Autumn forest walking.
Cheers
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Re: essex buzzard
A fantastic array of Coppers Essex I wonder how many more butterflies will be about now the frosts have started arriving?
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Have a goodun
Wurzel
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Re: essex buzzard
Great haul for November, Mark, though I fear that solid frost might put paid to the bulk of any activity henceforth.
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Re: essex buzzard
Hi Andrew, yes a walk in Epping Forest or, no doubt, other forests in our country, is one of November s greatest pleasures, especially if it is sunny, as autumn reaches it's final peak.
Thanks Wurzel and David. Yes, I think a few frosts have finished things off. Although I saw a Red Admiral last week, I think my season has now finally come to an end.
Thanks Wurzel and David. Yes, I think a few frosts have finished things off. Although I saw a Red Admiral last week, I think my season has now finally come to an end.
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Re: essex buzzard
Mine probably finished on 5th November with a Red Admiral flyby in Abergavenny town centre so looks like my next will be in late February/early March.essexbuzzard wrote:Yes, I think a few frosts have finished things off. Although I saw a Red Admiral last week, I think my season has now finally come to an end.
This late season has been full of surprises though, so we should all keep our eyes peeled.
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Re: essex buzzard
The Hawfinch is now a very scarce, perhaps even rare, British breeding bird, and has probably been lost as an Essex breeder, with just a handful of winter sightings in recent years. But this autumn there has been a perhaps once in a lifetime event- a big hawfinch invasion.
Following sightings on the Essex coast in recent weeks, they have settled in our woodlands, especially those containing hornbeam. We hope they will remain through the winter but equally, they may feed for a few weeks and move on. They are said to be particularly fond of hornbeam seeds and buds. I have never seen one in Britain before, never mind Essex. So today I visited Thorndon County Park, more in hope than expectation. Did I see any? You bet!
Following sightings on the Essex coast in recent weeks, they have settled in our woodlands, especially those containing hornbeam. We hope they will remain through the winter but equally, they may feed for a few weeks and move on. They are said to be particularly fond of hornbeam seeds and buds. I have never seen one in Britain before, never mind Essex. So today I visited Thorndon County Park, more in hope than expectation. Did I see any? You bet!
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Re: essex buzzard
You lucky bugger! I had a wander round Epping Forest yesterday (lots of Hornbeam there) in the hope of finding some but didn't see any... didn't see much of anything to be honest
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Some addictions are good for the soul!
Re: essex buzzard
Nice find. We have had around 6 locally over the past few weeks, with them showing a preference for cemeteries. Didn't have the free time to go looking regrettably
Phil
Phil
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Re: essex buzzard
Nice one Essex A very striking bird.
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Re: essex buzzard
Great set of shots Essex - they're a cracking looking bird, fingers crossed their 'invasion' will be the vanguard with Waxwings, interesting Redpolls, Brambling etc all to follow
Great catching up on Saturday and cheers for the lift, sorry if I made your car smell of rancid beer, although to fair I'm only partially responsible for that
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Great catching up on Saturday and cheers for the lift, sorry if I made your car smell of rancid beer, although to fair I'm only partially responsible for that
Have a goodun
Wurzel
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Re: essex buzzard
Glorious sighting, Mark...a bird I've long yearned to see. Whilst not great for butterflies, this time of year nonetheless provides good opportunities to see other desirable wildlife!
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Re: essex buzzard
Thanks, Bugboy. I agree, Epping forest should be suitable. Thorndon Country Park, near Brentwood, is proving most reliable at the moment, with more there again this weekend. Hatfield forest has been good, too, though I don’t know how easy it is for you to get there.
Thanks Phil. Don’t give up,there should be some around for a few weeks at least.
Cheers Andrew, they are indeed great birds, one that I’ve long wanted to see!
Cheers Wurzel, no the car’s not too bad! Good to see you last weekend.
David, you’re right. The good thing about birds, especially near the coast, is that they fill the void in winter, when the flowers and butterflies have gone. If it weren’t for that, I think I would suffer greatly from SAD, as others have said.
Thanks Phil. Don’t give up,there should be some around for a few weeks at least.
Cheers Andrew, they are indeed great birds, one that I’ve long wanted to see!
Cheers Wurzel, no the car’s not too bad! Good to see you last weekend.
David, you’re right. The good thing about birds, especially near the coast, is that they fill the void in winter, when the flowers and butterflies have gone. If it weren’t for that, I think I would suffer greatly from SAD, as others have said.
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Re: essex buzzard
Like many from Wales, across the midlands to East Anglia, we had several inches of the white stuff today, creating a white winter wonderland!
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Re: essex buzzard
Wow that's full on!
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Re: essex buzzard
If the recent report from Butterfly Conservation is correct then you'll be enjoying bucket loads of butterflies next season
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Have a goodun
Wurzel
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Re: essex buzzard
Incredible, Mark! I'm almost envious. We haven't had a flake here in Swansea yet Merthyr Tydfil (a mere 20 miles away) has been inundated and has seen night time temperatures of -10c!!
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Re: essex buzzard
A visit to Hatfield Forest, Essex today. Hawfinches continue to be seen there, and I found several, still feeding on hornbeam seeds. Not the best pictures in the poor light today, but good to see anyway. Also a kite, which are still scarce in Essex, and a roosting tawny owl in a tree.
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Re: essex buzzard
for that Hawfinch, I've still not caught up with any yet, although to be fair I've had precious little time to get out and about in recent weeks. Good spot with that Owl as well
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Re: essex buzzard
That Owl shot is a classic Happy New Year!
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Have a goodun
Wurzel
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