Photos / Sounds
What
Nettle Clustercup Rust Fungus (Puccinia urticata)Observer
jonathancampbellDescription
Very strange growth on a nettle plant that I spotted when looking for ladybirds. Got stung getting the photo, but worth it!
Photos / Sounds
What
Sun Beetles (Genus Amara)Observer
jonathancampbellDescription
The poor beetle happened to walk through the chaos that was my toddler’s chalk pavement painting exercise, and though he was rescued he did end up with a fair bit of chalk powder on him, hence the white and pink spots. Hopefully still enough for an ID though? Incidentally, this is the first observation with my new TG-7!
Photos / Sounds
What
Seven-spotted Lady Beetle (Coccinella septempunctata)Observer
jonathancampbell
Photos / Sounds
What
Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita)Observer
jonathancampbellDescription
These are all photos of what I’m pretty sure is a Chiffchaff (see the recording), but it’s complicated by the fact that there was also a Cetti’s Warbler around too (see this observation: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/213797721) and it’s not impossible that that guy might be in amongst these photos too (especially the third one?). I’d very much appreciate some thoughts!
Photos / Sounds
What
Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus)Observer
jonathancampbellDescription
This might be a better picture of the Cetti’s Warbler from this observation (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/213797721 )… but equally likely, maybe more likely, it’s a Chiffchaff as there was one nearby as well. I’m going to leave it at what I think is the last common point taxonomically, and see what people think! Basically, this bird might have pink legs, which would suggest the Cetti’s.
Photos / Sounds
What
Cetti's Warbler (Cettia cetti)Observer
jonathancampbellDescription
Uploading these photos separate to the other potential observation of a Cetti’s warbler, because I’m pretty confident of this ID but not so sure about the other ones. Essentially there was a Chiffchaff and a Cetti’s Warbler in the same area.
I occasionally saw the Cetti’s flitting between four or five regular perches, singing when it landed, and I got some photos, but looking back on them there are definitely some Chiffchaff ones mixed in with them, and I’m not super able to separate them out myself!
These two, however, I’m confident of (even though they are the worst of the bunch) - the first because I saw it singing from that perch, and the second because the reddish back colouration seems very un-Chiffchaff! I’ve also uploaded a recording of the song.
Photos / Sounds
What
Typical Weasels (Genus Mustela)Observer
jonathancampbellDescription
This was the space after a little furry face disappeared into the bushes! As I came around a signpost I saw what I thought was a wren dive into the bushes low to the ground, but then I saw a very distinctly weasely face poking over the undergrowth looking back at me for a few seconds, before disappearing away. It was definitely a chestnut brown with a cream underside, and because I mistook it for a wren I’m sure it was very much on the small side, so I’m nearly totally sure it was a weasel rather than a stoat. However, having not got any evidence, I can’t be completely sure, and so I’m going to leave it as Mustela. Don’t want to count something I didn’t see! Naturally this will have to remain just a casual observation too.
What
Eurasian Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)Observer
jonathancampbellDescription
Will upload a recording of the song later!
Photos / Sounds
What
Great Tit (Parus major)Observer
jonathancampbellDescription
Thanks to the kind birder who shared some of his food with me! A couple of very tame great tits - even before I had the food they were hopping around my feet as I was standing still.
Photos / Sounds
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Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)Observer
jonathancampbellDescription
Best photo ever. :/
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Mining Bees (Genus Andrena)Observer
jonathancampbellDescription
First time I’ve ever seen a mining bee! I’ll try and work out what species later. It didn’t seem to be moving much and seemed very unfazed by the camera.
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Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus)Observer
jonathancampbellDescription
Long Tailed Tit with a crooked tail.
Photos / Sounds
What
Streaked Plant Bug (Miris striatus)Observer
jonathancampbellDescription
Small, ant sized insect, but on its own which seemed weird for an ant, and with very striking gold bands between the thorax and the abdomen (two I think) as well as very long antennae.
Photos / Sounds
What
English Oak (Quercus robur)Observer
jonathancampbellDescription
Major Oak, a 1100 year old oak tree that Robin Hood is purported to have hidden in, in the heart of the (sadly nowadays very small) Sherwood Forest.
Photos / Sounds
What
Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus)Observer
jonathancampbellDescription
Definitely Willow Warbler due to song. I have a recording, which I’ll upload when I’m not on my phone.
Photos / Sounds
What
Genus ChironomusObserver
jonathancampbellDescription
Found in a patch of dead-nettles. Not sure what it is, so going on iNat recommendation.
Photos / Sounds
What
Dead-nettle Leaf Beetle (Fasta fastuosa)Observer
jonathancampbellDescription
Found in a patch of Dead-nettles (see second and third photo, and this observation: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/207377454). Beautiful beetle!
