Members Update 25th April 2022

Spot the Bee Fly etc. etc. Update April 25^th 2022

Hello again, sorry for the gap in proceedings but we have been away on a short holiday enjoying a lovely sunny river cruise in Holland. I hope I have recovered all the sightings and comments sent to me since the last update.

First up is Marjorie with her Anemone success story!

8^th April from Marjorie Trendall: Hello Joan, I planted a native wood anemone beneath this crab apple tree several years ago. Last year 2 or 3 plants came up and flowered. This year 62 plants have appeared despite surrounding couch grass - I've heard that comfrey can control couch do wood anemones have a similar effect? I've enclosed pictures of them. Best Wishes, Marjorie.

Next we have an interesting observation from Ian following their visit to the RSPB reserve at Arne.

15^th April from Ian Middleton: Hi Mike, - On Wednesday, Viv and I spent the day at RSPB Arne. We saw Curlew, Godwit (we could not tell which Godwit because they were very far from the hide) in the water there were Shelduck and Teal as well as Little Egrets. We saw a Marsh Harrier in flight and an Osprey on the nest pole. There were many Roe Deer and we also saw a basking Slow Worm. Sadly, due to the limitations of my camera and the tide being out, I only got one decent photo; it was of a Chiffchaff. I know it was a Chiffchaff because it told me so.

If anyone is thinking of visiting, it is worth noting that the café is open but not serving hot food. It does have a range of sandwiches and cakes as well as hot and cold drinks. Kind regards, Ian

18^th April from Rob Agar: Hooray, after two years finally got me a kingfisher at Moor Green, Eversley......took loads of shots and the bird was most obliging. There Sunday and Monday...

Great shots Rob, - wish I had taken them!

Next up is from friend Alan Meeks with these Alpacas and the ever increasing Egyptian Geese:

22^nd April from Alan Meeks:
Mike, I promised to send you the Egyptian Goose pictures taken in the Pirbright Village Pond for consideration so here they are plus the Alpacas taken at West Heath, Pirbright. Regards, Alan

Ken Crick is back with a rather cute shot of a young rabbit taken on his phone whilst out walking.

14^th April from Ken Crick: Hi Mike, I hope all is well. Attached is a picture of a baby rabbit taken with my phone.

I have discovered that my Bramshill Dragonfly Book is available online at https/freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/FHT_Bramshill-Dragonfly-book_Final-low-res.pdf. Best Wishes Ken

https/freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/FHT_Bramshill-Dragonfly-book_Final-low-res.pdf

Please note Ken’s comment on his Bramshill Dragonfly Book, - he produced the book for the Freshwater Habitats Trust and for some unknown reason, much to Ken’s frustration and annoyance, after its original release it was withdrawn from publication! However, Ken has found that it is available for download from the internet! I would encourage you all you take a look, it contains 21 pages and is packed with detailed descriptions of the variety of dragonflies observed on the Bramshill Plantation.

Finally, something from us. We were fortunate in January to have a Little Egret in the large tree at the bottom of the garden, a very special add to our list, then much to our amazement on the 5^th April we had not just one, but two Mandarin Ducks, in fact, a pair. They have been with us ever since; they are truly wild for they fly in and rapidly fly off if disturbed. They feed on the sunflower seed flicked out by the other birds using the feeders. They then go for a swim in the pond!

Graeme has been busy working on our web site so please take a look and make his efforts worthwhile! -https://www.camberleynaturalhistorysociety.org.uk/

That’s all for now, we are away again in a few days’ time doing some bird watching in Spain, so may be another delay before the next update.

Regards to all, Mike & Jenny