WonderfulWildlifeUK

Rain this morning and sunny interval this afternoon, 13°, breezy WSW. The Firecrest  still present along Green lane seen late afternoon by Alan but still quite elusive and at least 3 Chiffchaff in same area. 2 Stonechat along the Bunk line and showing well in the late afternoon sun. Again good numbers of Redwing and Fieldfare and a single Egyptian Goose overhead.  2 Herring Gull and 20+ Black-headed Gull around CSW. Several Meadow Pipit , Yellowhammer and Skylark scattered around and both Green and Great-spotted Woodpecker and a couple of Mistle Thrush . Mammals: Roe Deer . Chiffchaffs & Stonechats. from Cholsey Wildlife https://cholseywildlife.blogspot.com/2020/10/a-blustery-end-to-rocktober.html

Our otter cubs born a year a go have now both moved on to new adventures. Last year Dave and Nicole where born here at the end of the October half term to mum Emmy. They have stayed with mum and dad in our main enclosure until about two weeks ago where we caught them up and sent them off to their new homes.  Dave, now named Maxwell, has gone to the UK Wild Otter Trust based in the South West to a luxurious enclosure to help promote the great work they do there for otter conservation and education. His sister won't be too far away, Nicole has moved to the West Country Wildlife Photographic Centre. At the beginning of the month our polecat kits born here this year were collected by Ferret Rescue Surrey for release. They had been a lot of fun on display, and after a short period off display to get them used to looking after themselves they have now all gone off to be released.  This gave us space to move one of our breeding pairs back on to display. We thought we would...

Overcast, 15°, breezy SSW. The Firecrest was still present along Green lane today but very elusive and staying in cover a lot of the time. Seen by Alan, Tony Rayner and myself. Quite a few Redwing and Fieldfare again and at least 1, maybe 2 Goldcrest along with a Chiffchaff and another Chiffchaff near CSW. Several flocks of geese flying back and forth with Canada , Greylag and Egyptian Geese all noted. Another (or one of the same) Stonechat present along the Bunk line. All the usual’s present. Stonechat ↕ from Cholsey Wildlife https://cholseywildlife.blogspot.com/2020/10/a-grey-day.html

Overcast with light rain, 14°, light SW. The highlight today was a Firecrest found along Green lane, a quick message to Alan who was soon on the scene. The bird was very active and due to the windy conditions was often in cover and not an easy subject to photograph. However Alan got some good pics. Apart from the Firecrest it was relatively quiet. 2 Egyptian Geese flew over heading north and quite a few Fieldfare and Redwing about. Green lane also produced a Goldcrest , Bullfinch and Chiffchaff . Also the usual suspects seen and heard. Thanks to Alan for 5 of the photos. from Cholsey Wildlife https://cholseywildlife.blogspot.com/2020/10/firecrest.html

Sunny spells with light to heavy rain showers later, 10°, light to moderate SW. Seems to be a month for Stonechat . 5 today, with 2 still present on the south side of Lollingdon hill and another on the north side and another 2 along the Bunk line seen by Alan. Again numbers of Fieldfare and Redwing around and flocks very mobile In the Lollingdon area. Nearby, a couple of Chiffchaff and 2+ Goldcrest with a Tit flock. Finch numbers on the hill still high with 50+ Chaffinch , 20+ Goldfinch and c10 Greenfinch feeding on Sunflower heads and other plants. Also good numbers of Yellowhammer and Skylark in the stubble fields between Little Lollingdon and Lollingdon itself. Fewer Meadow Pipit than of late. A Sparrowhawk and Kestrel noted.  A couple of Goldcrest seen in a garden in the Sandy Lane area. Per Bryan Regan. Mammals: Brown Hare . Dragonflies: a single Common Darter . Goldcrest courtesy Bryan Regan Stonechat Great-spotted Woodpecker courtesy Ala...

Almost constant light rain, 12°, moderate SSW. A rather soggy walk along the Bunk line today and fairly quiet. Good numbers of Fieldfare and Redwing around and very mobile, maybe 200 birds in total. 2 Stonechat still around and a pair of Bullfinch and a Chiffchaff along Green lane were of note. Yellowhammer , Meadow Pipit and Skylark seen frequently plus the usuals. Another Bullfinch at the Bullshole. Per Alan. Mammals: Roe Deer . from Cholsey Wildlife https://cholseywildlife.blogspot.com/2020/10/sunshine-30-in-your-dreams.html

Sunny spells, 13°, breezy WSW. A quiet day out there for both Alan and myself. I took a walk out to Lollingdon and Alan along the river, Lollingdon hill still had 2 Stonechat present and a handful of Fieldfare and Redwing . The wooded side of the hill had a good finch flock with several Chaffinch , Greenfinch and Goldfinch feeding on the Sunflower heads. Nearby, a Little Owl , 2 Chiffchaff and 2 Kestrel . Dragonflies: 2 Common Darter . Butterflies: 3 Red Admiral (Alan’s garden) . from Cholsey Wildlife https://cholseywildlife.blogspot.com/2020/10/no-two-days-same.html