Great Bustards on Salisbury plain.

Back at the end of June we visited Wiltshire in the van , an area we had driven through a few times but never stopped. One thing I had to do was go and take a look at the Great Bustards on Salisbury plain. These huge birds were re-introduced here back in 1988 after being hunted to national extinction in the 19th centurary. They first bred in 2009 and now a self sustaining population of around 100 birds roam the landscape. I saw a dozen birds , albeit fairly distantly, but still good to see. Thanks to the Great Bustard Group for organising these trips out on the plain to see these fantastic birds.

Wood Ants

June 2025. I spent a little time watching the comings and goings of a Wood Ants nest at Shaugh Proir woods in Devon, they were so busy ,carrying an assortment of insects to the main colony with Woodlouse, Caterpillers,and Beetles among othes being taken to the nest.

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Red Footed Falcon

19th May 2025.An small influx of Red Footed Falcons were in West Cornwall in May with a few birds being present on the Lizard peninsula and the Lands end area, saw somw excellent photos on the socials but unable to go down, and didn't worry too much about it as I'd seen and photographed them on their breeding sites in Hungary, but in the end I had to go down to Nanquidno to have a look for them. One of the birds( a first summer male) was sitting in a newly ploughed field,not doing much, but catching the occasional prey item on the ground. Then a tractor came into the field and started to turn the soil, so I knew the Falcon would have to take flight when it got near. Glad I made the effort.

Ham Wall.

Joyce and I spent a few days in the Glastonbury area back in May, so a day at Ham wall on the Somerset levels was always going to be on the cards. A hot sunny day with the most noticeable wildlife seen were the hundreds and hundreds of Dragonflies, ( mostly four spot chasers ) with a few Scarce Chasers thrown in as well as lots of Damsels, Azure, Blue Tailed and Demioselles.Searched without luck for Hairy Dragonfly so maybe another day for these.

Lots of Butterflies around as well, tried to chase this pair of scruffy Brimstones chasing each other.

, and a Grren Veined White.

Fairly quiet on the bird front, but a few high flying Hobbies, a surprise flyover White Stork, some always nice to see Marsh Harriers, and Great Egrets and also photographed Mute Swan, Great Crested Grebe,Pochard and a young Moorhen.