Hello, hello!! Ferreting Fynn here!! Thankfully, this post is
not about migrants it is about Amphibians and a few invertebrates. So, instead of a long intro, let's get ready to rumble!!
Last weekend, we went to Oughtonhead common, a large reserve with a chalk stream and wet grassland, but thats only a brief description as there's much much more there. I was very excited as I hadn't been there since March and I wanted to see how much had changed, also there are a pair of
Kingfishers along the river and who knows? they could be Male and female and they might breed!! Anyway, let's get on with it. When we arrived at the Chalky, (A lagoon almost) lots lots of people had arrived before us with dogs and they wen't even social distancing!! So we turned round and headed to the grazing field as I wondered what wildlife would be there. When we came up to the gate, I could hear a bird that some reason sounded like a Redstart? So I scanned the nearby Hawthorn, only to see a
Whitethroat!! A large migrant warbler from southern Africa. This bird was new for this year, so we added it to our
200 bird year list.
Below the Hawthorn was a pond that we had never checked out before and as I could see tadpoles, I thought this pond could have some wildlife in it.
As we got closer, we saw
HUNDREDS of tadpoles and even a few Great pond snails somehow clinging onto the water? Let me know in the comments if you know why. My dad spotted a flower on the opposite side of the pond and got out his phone to Identify it, but I told him that it was a lady's smock and even though I told him, he still did it. As I was looking in the weeds in the pond, something came up from the depths of the pond. It had a very flexible looking body, and I immediately shouted,"SMOOTH NEWT THERE!!!!" I was so excited because I'd never seen a newt before so I checked what species it was, because(unlike my parents when they saw newts and were kids) I just wanted to see if my ID skills were good enough and also because it may not be a smooth newt. We watch the newt for at least 15 minutes, until I spotted a great diving beetle diving deeper into the pond!! I was thrilled as they are almost impossible to see, and they are fascinating insects.
So, I think that experience was a win win!! 5 new species, that doesn't happen often!! So this is going to be a day I'll remember, the first time I saw a newt. That's enough from me, Have a good one!!
Stay safe!!
Ferreting Fynn
Fun, what a great visit you had to Oughtonhead. I agree with you that its sometimes a bit disappointing when the river pool area gets busy and it scares the wildlife away, but wee have to understand that it is an open park for everyone.
ReplyDeleteYou did the right thing and went to a more secluded area and what a great number of spots you had as a reward.
Nana and I have seen whitethroats in Corcica but never in the UK, so what’s great spot.
newts used to be very common when I was your age, we had a small stream near our house and it was always full of newts and frogs. But its a long time now since I have seen a newt, they have declined quite a lot, but making a comeback from what you saw.
Another common water creature that was common in my earlier days was the small stickleback fish. Not sure if you have seen any of these little critters on your days out. again another species that has taken a bit of a hit.
Well I think you are well on your way to reaching your 200 spots in a year and well to finish, what was your Dad thinking of questioning you on your knowledge - if you say its a Lad’s smock, then it must be.
Great blog , looking forward to the next one.
Great post Flynn, how brilliant to see the Kingfishers, good timing and as you said let’s hope baby ones come along at some point . We have Newts in our pond but I really didn’t know there are all different species!🙄 obvious really ! Stay well and happy 😊
ReplyDeleteA really interesting post Fynn. Really good to have your photos to illustrate some of the things you saw. I was curious about your question about how the water snails move along just under the water”s surface and have one a little research. Apparently the mucous (slime) they produce allows them to crawl along the water surface either above or just below the surface. The sticky slime let’s the foot grip as it moves along. How clever is that!
ReplyDeleteThe number of birds on your 200 list is increasing all the time and you are not even half way through the year. You are doing so well.
I can’t believe your Dad didn’t take your word for the name of the flower 😂 We all know if Fynn says it”s a Lady”s Smock then it”s a Lady”s Smock! I didn’t know that wild flower so I have learned a new one too. Thank you for that.
Well done too for moving away from the people not social distancing and what a reward you had.
We never had newts in the pond we had at our old house but we did used to find the odd ones under stones at the side of the house. I guess it was damp under there. I don’t know what kind they were but it was always exciting to come across one.
I used to do lots of pins dipping with children at school but I don’t think I have ever spotted a Great Diving Beetle so I am off now to look them up to see what they look like.
Look forward to hearing what you spit next.
So many exciting things to see this time of year! I’ve never seen a newt either in a pond, the only newt I remember seeing is from Matilda!
ReplyDeleteSounds like it was the perfect day out for you!
Look forward to your next blog!
Natalie
HI Ferreting Fynn! What an adventure you had. Pond snails eat algae and even insect larvae so maybe that's what it was doing. Sounds like a lot of fun. Definately a winning day out!
ReplyDelete