Hi Ian. Common darter, broad bodied chaser (male and female) migrant and southern hawkers and a four spotted chaser. Plus the emperor. I struggle to identify them, I'm not expert and you get a lot of variation depending on how old the dragonfly is, plus colour differences according to sex. I try to take photos with my smartphone and have a bit of slow mo footage I took a couple of years ago but I use Google a lot to identify ones I might only get brief glimpses of I love them though, and they seem to like my pond
I have just spotted a snake (grass I hope) that has decided to adopt my compost bin for its home. Will try and get a photo
Toss saints The giveaway will be the yellow marks by thr head. They are olive green with faint black zigzag.
Probably a grass snake TS, most likely in the compost bin to lay eggs. They are a protected species so be careful not to disturb them. They vary in colour from green to brown. please log in to view this image Here's one we had in the garden quite a few years ago. But this is an Adder with distinctive black markings on back. please log in to view this image
Not the greatest photo but it was taken 10 years ago with an iPhone 5s. One year they had 2 chicks but I was always too late to get a photo with all four together. I believe they are Great Spotted Woodpeckers.
Thanks Only a game. Definitely like the first one. The compost bin is my my black currants bushes. Was wearing g flips flops to pick, but now back to wellies. Will try and not disturb it too much. Don't really like snakes. But feels good to have different species in the garden
They used to scare the life out of me sometimes, when they flew in and landed on those wire cages that you put “fat balls” in to feed them. The cage was on the bars of a Juliet balcony and the speed they hit the cage was enough to knock the glass. Couldn’t get any photos of them feeding as they seemed very sensitive to movement and as soon as I tried to move into a position to catch a good photo, they were gone. That same garden (in Rollesbrook Gardens off of Hill Lane) is where I saw a random Hoopoe one time. Couldn’t get a decent shot because of the poor camera on the 5s iPhone.
As you say, they are very wary of humans but I got lucky with this one as it wasn't right by the window and I was able to stand back out of view. They don't like to share when they are on the feeder and that beak is a handy weapon if any long tailed tits get too close. On another occasion I saw one whack a bluetit so hard a little shower of feathers came off it. This was taken quite a long time ago but obviously in winter time with the sleet coming down.
Are you John Scamell, TS? https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/25276121.uks-biggest-snake-spotted-slithering-near-southampton/
I have the Wild Guide book of dragonflies which is useful. I saw what I think was an Azure Damselfly last week. The Chasers are the least difficult for me although I find the Banded Demoiselles to be ubiquitous. There are not many butterflies around this year. Loads of Whites around at the moment - these also baffle me when you have Large and Green Viened that look similar.
I didn't really think it was but you came to mind when I read the story. Any recent sightings of Mr Grass Snake?
Game I regularly get Great Spotted Woodpeckers in my garden and hear Greens at least several times a month. GWS numbers have increased and they are quite common. They are more abundant than when I started birdwatching in the late 1970s. Lesser spotted remain rare and I have never seen one albeit I have been in Titchfield Haven when they have been seen. The LPW is on one of the birds I want to see. The other is thr Garden Warbler which I have not spotted when they have been at Titchfield and Fishlake Meadows. Annoying as I am a big fan of Olivier Messiaen's music and one of his piano compositions is La Fauvette des Jardins.
Our house has farmland back and front with woodland some way off so GSW only come to our garden when the bird feeders are full. We generally only get the common garden birds but occasionally during long periods of dry or icy weather the pond attracts other species in to drink and bathe. I've always taken an interest in wildlife but wouldn't say I was a committed bird spotter in that I don't go out to look for a particular species. When I'm out with the dog I'm happy to look at anything, flora or fauna, that comes our way. You may already know this but Winchester RSPB have a branch at Shawford. I was a member for a few years but it was mainly to listen to the guest speakers rather than the organised field trips. Compared to the other member's knowledge and spotting skills I was a complete novice and then after covid I didn't re-join. I guess it's still going.
Game Shawford is less than 2 miles from me and I have been to an RSPB several years ago. They are usually during the week which is difficult for me as I usually have to work evenings. I belong to HOS , Hampshire Wilife Trust and also BTO garden birdwatch. In addition, I was in Butterfly Comversation at one point too. It is interesting to see what is happening locally which was why I joined. I have to say that I find birdwatchers to be really friendly and keen to impart their knowledge. We were at Bempton Cliffs last week and found the support to be really helpful. I am not confident with birds like warblers and waders. The apps like Seak and BirdNet give you an advantage which did not exist 5 years ago. My wife has lived in countries where flowers are unusual and I am now getting hooked in to identifying these. I suppose that the ID issue gets more difficult as you go to Mammals- Amphibians- butterflies-dragonflies- moths. Bats are hard work even with my detector. I have got to a point where I need to identify most things I see that are unusual but at reserves there are always others who can assist in uk or France. No help when in Qatar as locals had no interest and thought I was crazy obsessing about Hoopoes. I found the Philippines mind blowing as it was like being a novice. Just saw ao much that was unfamiliar although wierd how many species like Grey Wagtails they share with us.
