essex buzzard

[essexbuzzard]

So, while it is easy to be pessimistic about the future of our wildlife, these two birds show the success stories are out there-and they should be grabbed with both hands. Here are the last few pictures from Wales, a brilliant trip.

[David M]

Fabulous, Mark, particularly the white one. It's hard to believe they're wild birds.

How come they don't chase that crow off though?

[Wurzel]

Fantastic shots Essex again The White Kite is a stunner Are they leaving the Crow to it as there is so much food around at the feeding station?

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Neil Freeman]

A great selection of Kite photos Mark...great stuff

And the Buzzards...I remember not so many years ago you wouldn't see them around my way but now I see them circling around high above my garden here in Solihull close to the border with South Birmingham...no Kites yet although they are slowly getting closer.

Cheers,

Neil.

[essexbuzzard]

Hi David and Wurzel, I think that’s right. There is plenty of food here for everyone. Buzzards only really turn aggressive if there is a food shortage and they are starving. This happens more often in Europe, where 1963 type winters are more common. Kites often turn pirate at such times, bombarding the crows as they fly off with their pickings, trying to steal their food.

Neil, buzzards have given me great pleasure over the years, ever since my youth in Cornwall. Essex was, in those days, as far removed from buzzard habitat as one could get.Never, in my wildest dreams, could I have imagined they would become a common breeder in the lowland farms of East Anglia, or that I would live long enough to witness that spread. Kites too, have proved surprisingly successful in modern Britain, and there seems no reason why they can’t spread throughout the Country.

I hope we have all been able to enjoy the good weather recently. Most of my sightings have been of Red Admirals, which I wasn’t expecting. Could they be early migrants?

[trevor]

Great shot, Mark. Especially the rare combination of Red Admiral on Snowdrop.

[Wurzel]

That is a great shot Essex and something I can't recall seeing I was getting my fill of Red Kites last week in Aberaeron - but I didn't get anywhere near as close as yourself

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

Nice, unusual image of the Red Admiral on the snowdrop, Mark.

It's hard to say whether they're migrants or not. Given how mild this winter has been (save for that one short period at the beginning of February), they could easily be home grown!

[essexbuzzard]

Just back from a few glorious warm sunny end of winter days in Cornwall. No Large Tortoiseshell for me, but there were a few early hibernators around. Never before have I seen them all by the end of winter. Make no mistake, the timing of this trip, we were incredibly lucky.

In Cornwall, the Campbell’s Magnolia, Magnolia campbellii, heralds the arrival of spring. When 50 blooms have opened on Campbell’s Magnolia in 5 ‘Great gardens of Cornwall’ , spring is declared. This year spring arrived early, on St. Valentines Day- 14 February.

So we visited several different gardens and sites during these few days, admiring not only Magnolias, but also many Camelias, Rhododendrons and spring bulbs which, down here, were already in bloom. And, of course, keeping an eye open for any butterflies enjoying the lovely sunshine!

TBC...

[Mike Robinson]

Sounds absolutely wonderful...

[essexbuzzard]

On our first day, Sunday 24 February, we arrived in Cornwall mid morning, and headed down to the Lost Garden of Heligan. Here, the wonderful Campbell’s magnolia blooms, and the daffodils were already out, as spring comes early here. Camellias, Rhododendrons and even fuchsias were in flower, quite remarkable for this time of year! Could post lots of images, put here are just a few, to give a flavour of this great place.

[essexbuzzard]

The next day, we were off to Trengwainton Gardens, near Madron. Undoubtedly my favourite tree in the gardens is the Campbell’s magnolia. These glorious trees are a highlight of a visit to Cornwall at this time of year.I used to walk the fields of Madron as a kid, looking for buzzards, and remember seeing them then, though I didn’t know what they were those days. So they have some sentimental value as well. This is not the tree for you and me- these large, spreading trees are far to big for the average garden, and it may be 40 years before a flower is borne. Instead, these magnificent trees are one to admire in these wonderful Cornish gardens, especially when there is a blue sky backdrop!

It was while admiring one of these Magnolias that a Peacock landed, my first of the year.

Many Camellias were in flower. Unlike further up country, the flowers are rarely killed by frost here, and they make a great show.

The early Rhododendrons were in bloom, with many more to come between now and May.

Meanwhile, by the tea room, this Comma landed to bask on a wall. A bit tatty, but my first of the year. Also here this tiny fuchsia was in flower. Hard to believe it’s still winter!

To finish off the day, we took a walk at nearby Mounts Bay.

[essexbuzzard]

The next day, we spent the morning looking for birds on Penzance seafront. But, apart for a few purple sandpipers, we saw little of note. We did find this Tortoiseshell though. We found several in Cornwall,but this rather tatty individual was the only one we managed to photograph.

So we opted for a pasty in the glorious surroundings of Morrab Gardens, Penzance.

In the gardens was this lovely Comma, sitting on a Magnolia.

Then, after lunch, we went over to the dunes at Hayle. In late spring and summer, the Towans are great for butterflies, but today we found nothing. But the beach here is splendid. Yes, this really is Britain in late winter!

[Wurzel]

Lovely set of reports Essex - and good to see you well in the butterflies I'm also glad that you were able to make the most of this years summer - the way the weather seems at the moment it feels like that could have been it

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[essexbuzzard]

The next day we headed of to Caerhays Castle Gardens. This lovely Cornish garden hosts a national collection of Magnolias, as well as a large range of Camelias, Azaleas and Rhododendrons, as well as a slightly more curious collection of rare horse chestnut species and evergreen oaks. As spring gardens go, this place is up there with the best. A worn Painted Lady was to quick for my camera, as were several Commas. The buzzards were active, and were a splendid sight against the blue sky.

Later in afternoon, we spent some time at nearby Mevagissey, a picturesque fishing town.

Another super warm day!

[essexbuzzard]

So, we come to our last day in Cornwall. With the weather now back to normal, a walk on the South West Coast Path was in order. Having never walked it before,I decided on the length between Tintagel and Port Isaac, about 9 miles. This is a quiet section, and the going was often tough, and is especially appreciated by those who relish an empty,arduous and dramatic coastline.

Trebarwith Strand

Port Isaac

[David M]

I bet you never anticipated such glorious conditions when you first made plans to travel to Cornwall at the back end of winter, Mark?

As ever, the scenery around there takes the breath away, although my personal favourite has to be the one of you both in Morrab Gardens. That scene looks more like one you'd expect in tropics rather than the UK.

Good job you didn't leave it till this week. Looks like 50 mph winds all week!

[essexbuzzard]

Thanks David, and no I didn’t anticipate such glorious weather. I actually expected the weather we have had for most of March!

After a cloudy March so far, the sun came out properly today. It wasn’t particularly warm but, the sun now has a bit of strength in it, and plenty of butterflies were about, especially, and pleasingly, Small Tortoiseshells. On a south facing nettle bed, I saw 10 Tortoiseshells in 200 yards! And at one point, four of these were engaged in combat, a fabulous sight!

My first Small White was seen, as well as Peacocks, Brimstones and Commas. Also recently emerged were several bee-flies.

[essexbuzzard]

Here is a bit of context, with nettles visible in the foreground.

[trevor]

Great to see your Small Tortoiseshells, Mark.
I was pleased to find eight yesterday, they were scarce around here last year.

Can we now quietly whisper ' we're off ' without tempting fate ?.

Trevor.