Return of Dark Knight 2

Once again Maurice was unable to make what will be the last bat 'visual' count of the season. However Paul the bat expert from 'up in the grim north' was present with Mike leading and the new assistant ranger {Ellie?} in attendance. Paul has been carrying out an audio bat survey in the Northfields barn area and has discovered a number of different bat species resident here. This data along with the audio surveys in the Sherborne roosts and at the 'bat cave' will all contribute to the Springwatch filming of bats later in May. The hope is to capture video and audio {if Paul can arrange it} of bat pups, especially in the Kennel nursery roost.

Stella, Ospreys 'have now left the building'

RIchard Tyler pic, the one I'd wish I'd captured

Given the very changeable weather we have been experiencing it was going to be challenging predicting the number of bats to be found in the various roosts. It was good to see Paul was quite enthusiastic/competitive about this and especially good that he had brought a ladder so we could see into the enclosed loft area in the Bothy {Maurice to note plus picture is available of Mike scaling the ladder!}. Anyway after discussions on the 4 Ospreys which had visited Sherborne finally ended {interesting to note 2 common sandpipers also seen}, we set off to the bat cave to start the count. So once again only lesser horseshoes were observed, 57 in the bat cave,  70-100 in the kennels {we couldn't stay long since some bats started to fly around}, 58 in the Bothy {8 were outside the door of the inner roost and a couple started flying around}, 9 in the cellar making a grand total of 194-214 {200 total last count}. External temperature 20C and internal 7C-9C.

Couldn't resist another dig at the ineptitude of NE {DEFRA lead} with this RSPB blog on brood management, 'chance would be a fine thing'  if hen harriers could speak !

Birds plus a big burn!

Osprey Stella at Sherborne

Stella surveying Broadwater for possible lunch

Resident mute swan flying towards mate by boathouse

This thursday turned out to be a good 'birding' day despite the gloomy cloudy weather on offer. Locally I enjoyed seeing a number of playful long tailed tits dodging in and out of my apple and pear trees plus a brief appearance of a tiny gold crest nestled in one of my shrubs. On the morning walk with the dogs we came across a green woodpecker and a yellow hammer. In spite of the weather I decided to take a trip to Sherborne's Broadwater to hopefully see the widely advertised Osprey. Over the years an Osprey has been reported in the Sherborne area but not for long before it resumes its journey to its nesting site on one of the Welsh or Rutland water reserves. This year it seems to have decided to stay for at least a week. On arriving at Sherborne I cautiously followed the Sherborne brook from the 'kennels access'  and was lucky enough to see an egret, swallows, grey wagtail and a female bullfinch. Quite close to the upper weir the Osprey made a dramatic appearance before settling in one of the tall oak trees on the far bank opposite North park. It made another flight towards the boat house before I lost sight of it. At the same time a red kite flew by followed by the entrance of the local shepherd on quad bike with tractor & trailer. I decided to make a slow retreat back to the car since I judged the Osprey may stay clear of the activities taking place. Later I learnt I'd missed an opportunity to see a second Osprey arrive at the Broadwater but I'm not complaining having seen my first Osprey in the 'wild'.

Spent today with the GWT at Greystones with Emma leading a large contingent of volunteers. We headed for the 'burn' site where a healthy amount of brash in an adjoining field needed to be collected, cut and placed ready for burning. After a slow start a healthy bonfire was created and the sizeable amount of brash was slowly consumed.