My World Of Wildlife

Hi everyone! This morning I went to Warnham Nature Reserve which is only about 10 minutes away from me, for a quick visit to see what was there. I was hoping the snow which had fallen last night and in the morning was going to stay to add a nice winter effect to my photos, but by the time I had got ready to go out it had almost all melted! :)  There was a lots of birds around because of the freezing weather and they were much more visible because of the bare trees. On and around the feeders there was a flock a goldfinches which were making a lot noise, a few long-tailed tits flitting around the trees and 4 black birds, 2 female and 2 male.   Male blackbird   Goldfinch There were also lots of blue and great tits, along with 2 coal tits who were displaying to each other. Blue tit Coal tit My highlight of the day was seeing a little wren that came really close to the hide.  There was also a robin that was singing its ...

Today's post is about the blackbird.  A regularly seen bird, the blackbird as in its name is black but this is only for the male. Confusingly, the female is brown with spots and streaks on their breasts. The males have an orange beak and eye-ring which make them quite striking. They are one of the UK's most commonly seen bird and have a mellow song which is easily recognisable.  Key Facts: They eat insects, worms and berries. You can see them all year round. They are the most numerous breeding bird in the British Isles, with a population of around 6 million birds.  Male Blackbird Female Blackbird

Hi everyone! Today I went to WWT Arundel. It was very cold and some of the water was frozen! A Mallard walking on water!! Going into the first hide there was 20 teal, 25 shelduck and what I think is a Mediterranean gull (please tell me if I am wrong!)     After that, walking down the path, a chiffchaff landed in a tree nearby as well as a flock of long-tailed tits chirping away in the trees.  After going on the boat with no sightings of water voles and kingfishers I went down to the lapwing hide. After seeing a man pointing at something in the trees I went to look, there in the trees was a kingfisher. After that excitement I went into the hide, there was a song thrush right in front of me.  After that I saw 2 lapwing, 2 mute swan, a robin and a grey wagtail.  Nearing the end I saw a little goldcrest. Then last but not least another kingfisher, this time a bit closer to me. Here is a link to my biography ...

Hi everyone!  Today I did the Big Garden Birdwatch. Not much was around this morning as it was not that cold! But I did see 4 blue tits, 2 great tits, 1 song thrush, 5 woodpigeon and a blackbird. Later on I went to Tilgate Park and walked around the lake. I saw a large group of black-headed gulls which were making a lot of noise as usual. There was also lots of ducks including pochard, mallard and mandarin. I also saw a mute swan, coot, moorhen, magpie, great-crested grebe and cormorant. I also thought I would mention that I came runner-up in the British wildlife centre's photo comp in the junior category: http://britishwildlifecentre.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/bwc-photo-comp-junior-winner.html   

Hi Everyone! Today I am going to post on the Pied Wagtail. I see about 20 of them everyday whilst I am at school. So on with the information... The Pied Wagtail is a small, long-tailed, sprightly, black and white bird often seen in urban places. They are normally seen wagging their tails frantically up and down. It frequently calls when in flight and often forms large roosts in city centres. They can be found across the UK and are best looked for near water and in most habitats. They have a sharp, pointed beak which is ideal for jabbing at insects. I thought I would include one of my paintings today: Pied Wagtail I also thought I would mention that Winterwatch is on today at 9:00 on BBC2 (I have been looking forward to it for ages!)  Thanks for reading!

Hi everyone! Today I went to Buchan country park to walk my dog. It is a great place for wildlife which is in my local patch.   On the lake there was about 10 mallards and 5 black-headed gulls who were making a lot of noise. A robin flew across the path infront of me and started to sing its heart out on a nearby branch. Later on a blackbird was rustling amongst the leaves, looking for something tasty to eat.  Nearing the end of the walk I spotted 2 flocks of Long-tailed tits who were making there typical sounds, a bit of info about it here: "Long-tailed tits have a twittering, trilling song, but it is their high-pitched twittering contact calls that will usually get them noticed; typically "tsee-tsee-tsee" but also "tsirrup". I also spotted a redwing and jay which were quick to fly away.  There were also quite a few bracket fungi.

Hi Everyone, today I went to RSPB Pulborough Brooks, It was a very cold day so I only spent a few hours there.Walking down to the hide I saw a flock of Fieldfares. Fieldfare  As I went into the hide the water levels were very high. Most of the birds were in the distance, so I could just about identify some of them. A flock of 15 pied wagtails were flying around. There was a gaggle of over 100 canada geese and 5 lapwings. Coming into land were 3 mute swans, with 2 being juveniles.  Walking back to the vistor centre for a nice hot chocolate, I saw 10 carrion crow, 2 robins, 3 blackbird and a coot. As there are bird feeders at the visitor centre I stayed there. There was a coal tit, 5 great tit, 10 blue tit and a willow tit. I also saw 2 great spotted woodpeckers and 8 of the still declining House Sparrows. House Sparrow I also would to share with you a link to my photo that was shortlisted for the British Wildlife Centre Photography competition. ...

Today's post is about the Wonderful Water Vole, my favourite mammal .  Water Voles, sometimes mistaken for rats have a silky coat which are normally yellowish-brown to dark brown. It has a blunt nose, a rounded body and a long hairy tail, with males being slightly larger than the females.  Once a common and familiar mammal, over the last 20 years it has suffered a dramatic decline.   Their numbers have declined by more than 90%, because of the introduction of American Mink which are preying on them and also because of the loss of habitat.  Key Facts: They are widespread across Europe. Their lifespan is about 5 months. Their habitat is banks of slow-moving rivers, streams and other waterways. They are very strong swimmers.

Todays post is about the Goldfinch which I see on my local patch, normally in flocks of about 10. The Goldfinch is a brightly coloured finch with a bright red face and yellow wing patch. Normally in flocks, you normally hear there chattering, twittering call and song before actually seeing them. There long fine beaks let them access otherwise inaccessible seeds from thistles and teasels. In winter many Goldfinches migrate as far south as Spain.   Key Facts: Latin name is Carduelis Carduelis. You can see them all year round. They eat seeds and insects in summer. Goldfinches are highly sociable. They can be seen at feeding stations. Goldfinch

Today I went to the British Wildlife Centre in Lingfield, Surrey. Although not a place were there are wild animals I thought I would still share it with you. Here is some info about it: The British Wildlife Centre is home to the finest collection of native wildlife in Britain with over 40 different species from tiny harvest mice to magnificent red deer. They also help wildlife by helping with breeding programs, such as the Scottish Wildcats and with habitat conservation. For more info:   http://britishwildlifecentre.co.uk I really enjoy visiting here as it offers many photographic oppurtunites. My favourite animals there are probably the red squirrels as you can walk through there enclosure. As well as them being able to climb all over you. Here are some photos from there that I have taken: Long-Eared Owl Red Squirrel Badger Red Squirrel Otter Buzzard Red Fox Water Vole

Hi Everyone! Today's post is about birds in and around my garden. Although I don't have badgers, hedgehogs or woodpeckers in my garden I do get blackbirds, blue tits, nuthatches, robins, dunnocks and the typical woodpigeon. Just noticing simple birds like this can make you really look and listen to them. Just standing out in my garden for about 5 minutes really connects you to nature. The chatter of a flock of goldfinches, the beautiful song of the blackbird and the sight of a souring buzzard above me.  What I really remember was 3 years ago, when we had really heavy snow, a tiny goldcrest appeared in my garden. For other people this wouldn't really be exciting but for me it was. What was really special was it's little gold-crest standing out amongst the pearl white snow. Blackbird Long-tailed tit Robin

Hi Everyone! Today's post is about one of the most striking birds for me, the Bullfinch.  The male Bullfinch is a unmistakable bird, with a bright pinkish-red breast and cheeks. Also its black cap and tail, and bright white rump make it easily recognisable. Once a pest of fruit crops, they feed voraciously on the buds of various trees in spring. Their diet consists of buds, seeds and insects (for young.) You can see them all year round in woodlands, orchard and hedgerows.  Key Facts: They are Usually found in pairs or small family groups. They are widely distributed throughout Europe and Asia. The female is a colorless version of the male. Their lifespan is about 2 years. I recently saw a male at Chesworth Farm as it landed right in front of me to feed on seeds. My nan also used to have a whole family of five in her garden, which fed on the berries.

Today I visited Chesworth Farm in Horsham. It was quite a dull and foggy day and I didn't really expect to see much. As I got there was a lot of blue tits and great tits flying around the trees. Then a Mistle thrush flew by me and landed on a branch. What I noticed was its loud, rattling call that I haven't heard before. Walking down the path I looked towards the sky and there was a Kestrel, perched on a electricity line.  Kestrel Towards the end as I looked over a field and there was about 10 blackbirds all looking for food or chasing each other off. Looking closer, in the distance there was a flock of about 20 redwings and about 5 perched in a nearby tree. I could easily tell they were redwings because of its orange-red flank patches. Redwing As I was just about to go a striking male bullfinch landed on a branch right in front of me. As it fed on the seeds I snapped away with my camera! Bullfinch Then it flew off. Still watching I managed to fin...

Hi Everyone! Today I am going to do a blog post on the Wigeon.  The Wigeon is a Medium-sized duck normally found in flocks. It's chestnut head and neck makes it stand out and its's white belly shows when in flight. It is an amber list species with large numbers of wintering birds at a few UK sites. It's latin name is Anas Penelope and they eat aquatic plants,grasses and roots.  The other day I visited RSPB Pulborough Brooks Nature Reserve and there was a flock of 100+, they also where with Teal. I really love the colours of the Wigeon and especially their white bellies whilst in flight.  Key Facts: Lifespan: 3 years Wingspan: 80cm Females are similar to female mallards but with rusty brown plumage and a pointed tail.  Breeds in central and northern Scotland and also in Northern England. Wigeon Flock of Wigeon Thanks for reading, please visit my photography website:  http://myabambrick10.wix.com/mbphotography