Friday 13 May 2011

Wot we’ve got is not a lot.

The Safari had no great shakes from Patch 1 this morning. Last night we thought the Great Tits in the box at Base Camp might have fledged but this morning the tailless female was seen bringing in yet another caterpillar.
Out in the park it was quiet, even the Blackbirds, so obvious yesterday, were playing hard to get. A Blackcap warbled quietly from the undergrowth and the Chaffinch confirmed he was still on territory – not heard him for a few days. That was about it.
Patch 2 didn’t give us the expected Manx Shearwaterinteresting piece on them by Mr Packham last night - as well as the Green Shore Crabs we showed you the other day. (Not sure if none-UK views can watch iplayer)
We did, however, get a good count of Gannets, record so far this year at 22) and a pair of Red Breasted Mergansers going north.
A brief lunchtime visit gave us fewer Gannets and nothing else.
Where to next? Two weeks off...whoopyyydooooo...some serious safari-ing may be on the cards.
In the meantime let us know if you know when the star of the show is likely to perform in your outback.

3 comments:

Monika said...

Hey Dave -

With the blogger problems yesterday it looks like your last comment wasn't saved on my blog post, though it was e-mailed to me. In response to your question about fire in the San Juans...the native people used it as a management tool long ago as they came here seasonally to fish and harvest food like camas bulbs, including on Yellow Island which is why they continue the practice there. Part of the island is prairie habitat and likely experienced natural fires periodically as well.

Enjoy the extended time off!!

Monika

Warren Baker said...

I enjoyed the Shearwater piectoo Dave, enjoy the two weeks off mate - I wondered why the weather has started to go downhill!!

Lancashire and Lakeland Outback Adventure Wildlife Safaris said...

Many thanks Monika useful info - fire is not part of the natural ecosystems here although wildfires have been a problem for reptiles and ground nesting birds in the last few weeks which have been seriouly abnorally dry.

Another comment was lost by Blogger - the jellis were confirmed as Lion's Manes but very small ones which then raises the question have they started to breed in UK waters - I thought the small pale jellies were even younger ones but perhaps they are something else - but what??? Any marine bioogists out there?

Warren - watch out for warm and pleasant weather beginning in early June ;)

Cheers

D