Report: My Local Patch - 15th June

Report: Local Patch - 15th June, 2010

Weather: Sunny, warm, cloudy with slight breeze.

Warning: Long report. Sorry, I got carried away!

I had decided not to get up too early today. I had a thought to be up with the dawn chorus but today I chose to concentrate on all things 'Flies': Dragons, Damsels and Butter! Maybe a few Hover ones if I got lucky. And the odd Bee.

Did I see any? Well, in the manner of Springwatch - wait and see! Or should that be: More Later!

Shoulder bag check: Camera; spare Card, batteries; Bins; Drink; Observers book of Bird Identification (1964).

Off to 'The Local' for a late breakfast. They do a great fry-up (with black pudding). Washed down with The Last of the Summer Lightning.

Hey, it was around midday!

So, with the Pub clock showing 12:45 I reluctantly departed 'The Local' for my Local Patch: The River Stort, headed towards Harlow Mill.

The last time I walked it was last January (snow). It's changed a bit since then!

I was immediately greeted with numerous Mallard Ducks (otherwise known as the naughty ducks); dozens of pigeons; a Moorhen and then, a pair of Canada Geese with two little goslings. Ah. No flies.

Continuing along the trail I heard lots of birdsong - Chaffinches, Tits, Robins and a Chiffchaff. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, I was already in a good mood. Not even dog walkers could spoil it. Or cyclists. Or joggers.

Open countryside. Greenery everywhere. The sound of a mainline train in the distance, carrying the throbbing masses to and fro. I spotted a few Chaffinches through a haze of pollen which looked like snow. No flies.

I spotted a magnificent Blackbird, his coat shining in the sun, beak a bright yellow, tail cocked and singing his song. He was definitely strutting his funky stuff. 'Keep away, man' he sang. 'This is my spot!'. Suddenly, I saw a flash of white go past. No two! I stopped and spotted two Swallows, racing back and forth, at a hundred miles an hour, skimming low above the water. Up and down, up and down the river they flew, beaks open. They would have made the Red Arrows envious. Every few minutes one of them would peel away from the river, presumably to feed young. The sight was hypnotic. Unfortunately, they were much too quick for my camera.

I tore myself away thinking the rest of the walk would be hard pressed to top that. But not five minutes later I caught sight of an LBJ. Just another Chaffie I thought. But no, there was yellow in there. Chiffchaff? No, too low over the water. Another Swallow? Doh! Grey and yellow, I don't think so. I crept closer. To my delight I spotted, just across the river sitting on a bit of dead wood were three newly-fledged Grey Wagtails! Mum and dad were racing around the area catching flies and feeding them to the fledglings. They were only around 10 meters away from me. I quietly sat down opposite and got my camera out. It was a fantastic sight! The parents soon got used to me and even landed quite close to me. Unfortunately, too close. I had a long lens in. I stayed put for about 20 minutes. Both parents were working very hard and catching lots of food for three hungry, gaping mouths.

This is getting better and better! But no flies.

I moved on. Still lots of Chaffies; Tits and the odd Robin. Then across the far bank I saw two Pipits. Now, you know what my bird ID skills are like. I would hazard a guess that they were Tree Pipits? River, trees, bushes? Or maybe Meadow Pipits. With my ID skills and bad memory they could even have been albatrosses!

A little further on and I spied my first Fly! A gorgeous Banded Demoseille. But too quick and impatient for my camera. All too quickly he was gone. Then almost straight away a yellow and black fly-thing landed beside me. I can safely say it wasn't a bee or a wasp. But it did let me take a few photos of it. Then a Bee did arrive and landed on nearby white flowers (sorry, I not good at flower IDs either). It too let me snap away.

Then, five minutes later I saw a tiny electric blue fly. No, there were too of them. What were they doing? Oh yes. Making little electric blue flies. They were tiny, about the length of my fingernail. But, they too were sympathetic to my camera. But then, I guess they were too busy to notice.

I was starting to get the hang of this macro photography thing.

Another 20 meters further on and another Bee landed on a gorgeous Thistle. I got some shots but forgot about the stinging nettles! Ow - where's my Aloe Vera?

It then turned cloudy and a slight breeze came up. Another bug. This time long segmented yellow/black body, large wings and a yellow head. Sorry, I know not what it was. Then, a few paces on, I spotted a spider's web. Funnel-like, with two flies already caught in it. As I watched, the spider came out through the funnel. Big. I took a step back. Sorry, I'm no hero. But I did try to take a photo. With my long lens.

Then an Orchid! With attending Bee. Snap, snap. A little difficult with the wind blowing. I got stung again. By a nettle, not the Bee. Hello Aloe Vera.

Warblers! A Sedgie. I think. I did get a distant photo.

Almost in touching distance of Harlow Mill lock. But before I got there, two Mute Swans with two Cygnets swam in to view. They all came up to me, obviously expecting food. When I showed them my camera they hissed at me!

Across the other side and on the route back home. A female Mallard laughed at me. Hmm. Unexpected laugh, check your flies. She had three little ducklings with her. Cute. I got a few looks from the people in the houses behind me. I could hear their thoughts: 'Another nutty twitcher'. I smiled back at them. And double-checked my flies. Just in case.

I reached another Lock and on this side there was a little man-made waterfall. Looking closely down I saw another female Mallard up on the bank looking down at two of her chicks, who were vainly struggling to swim against the waterfall current and join their mum. Nature in action! Both chicks were struggling and mum was helpless. I was helpless too. So I just took photos to record their struggle. I took some film too, with my little camera. Maybe Springwatch would be interested in this life or death scenario? Ok, it isn't the Serengeti but hey! The chicks kept getting close but then were washed back down the stream. Mum looked up at me. I shrugged my shoulders at her. Eventually, she jumped down into the water and all three swam safely downstream. I was about to walk on when another Grey Wagtail appeared! Wonderful!

Further on, the path veered off towards Pishiobury Park. But just before the turning I spied another little river. Well, stream really. I wondered over to take a look. I was about to leave when, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a pair of Banded Demoseilles! They obliged me by landing nearby and letting me take their photos. Woo hoo! This was what I wanted. I'm not altogether sure they were a pair. The other one was orangey yellow? I couldn't tell if they were having an argument or a mating. A common fly even landed near me and posed as well. They were all getting in on the act!

I reached the Pishiobury Park area and found lots of bullocks. No, really. The inevitable Grey Squirrels were hopping about. And then a Bee's Nest! Lucky, I still had my long lens on. I walked past the cows, who eyed me warily. Don't worry sweetheart, you're not my type! Then I saw some cow poo with flies around it. I immediately took a photo to send off to Chris Packham.

The Park pathways doubleback to the river. Once there I spotted yet another Banded Demoseille. As I did so a fish jumped out of the water catching flies. It had two orange fins on its' stomach. Sorry, I don't know the correct terms. Perch? I'm not a fish expert. I don't even eat fish.

More Mallards, more ducklings. Then two juvenile Moorhens swam up to me. Again, I think expecting to be fed.

Before I knew it I was back at the start off point. Slight sunburn and a few stings. I wasn't expecting much at this time of day but saw plenty. Unfortunately, no Dragonflies or Butterfiles but nevertheless it was still a fantastic day out AND it's my Local Patch!

How could I finish off such a memorable day?

Of course: 'The Local'.

Who am I?

Oi! Do you mind? I'm having my tea!

I've got Bee issues.

Yes I know, I am gorgeous!

No flies on me!

Has anyone seen those Swallows>

Come in to my parlour.......!

We're doing better than Simon King's cygnets.

Don't do that again, Mum!

Am I the female Demoseille?

No, honestly......

Smells a bit fishy (groan)

Apologies for going on a bit. I think I waxed a bit too lyrical!

Best wishes, Graham