Originally posted on Jonathan Pomroy:
I awoke to the sound of robin and blackbird at 4.45am. I have always struggled to sleep beyond dawn during the Summer months; bird song is my alarm clock. Most of the time this is a blessing, but I will admit that midsummer can get quite tiring! The sudden screaming of swifts especially, can literally have me awake and leaping… Continue reading April 20th- tree pipits, green woodpeckers and blackbird song

Originally posted on Jonathan Pomroy:
Another fine day, but with a strong Easterly breeze. We have had day after day of unbroken sunshine. You have to be careful what you wish for, but as an artist I am rather missing clouds now. The ground is very dry and we could really do with a good soaking. My son has a school project on sounds, so we… Continue reading April 21st- goldfinches and dandelions

Originally posted on Jonathan Pomroy:
A two mile loop from the house gives a good variety of birds. We are really getting to know local bird territories. We can plot yellowhammer territories now and are making up names for small areas of habitat. “Warbler corner” is a dense patch of bramble by the Holbeck, surrounded by a mixture of hedgerow and trees. Crab apple, hawthorn,… Continue reading April 22nd- first garden warbler of 2020

Originally posted on Jonathan Pomroy:
Yesterday evening I spent some time watching and sketching the jackdaws on a neighbour’s chimney. Like many birders, lockdown has forced me to really concentrate on wildlife at home. Jackdaws are such charismatic birds and I have vowed to make more studies of the species in the coming weeks. We went for a walk to the East of the village… Continue reading April 23rd- swallows and jackdaws

Originally posted on Jonathan Pomroy:
A day of big temperature range. We awoke to a bird bath frozen over. The overnight minimum of -2C, climbed to 18.3C early in the afternoon. Ptolemy and I went for a walk in Gilling Woods. We walk everyday now and see this time as a gift, natural history is a perfectly valid subject as far as we are concerned… Continue reading April 24th- pied wagtail, queen wasp and red mason bee

Originally posted on Jonathan Pomroy:
Another walk along the Holbeck today. After a cold, cloudy start the sun broke through late in the morning. Butterflies were quick to respond, especially orange tips, brimstones, tortoiseshells and peacocks. The sand martins were busy feeding along the beck. We had very close views of a pair of treecreepers, that were undoubtedly nesting nearby. We watched the male feed… Continue reading April 25th- treecreepers and garden warbler

Originally posted on Jonathan Pomroy:
Another glorious April morning, espresso outside looking at the sky, SWIFT The significance of my first swift of the year cannot be overstated. Since primary school days, where they used to nest under the eaves, the species has captured my imagination like no other. The impact of my first swift of the year seems to increase annually; the shape never… Continue reading 26th April- SWIFT!

Originally posted on Jonathan Pomroy:
A cooler day than yesterday, but one of beautiful skies with cumulus cloud under much higher cirrus streaks. I was watching buzzards, rooks and herring gulls thermalling this morning. Without a wingbeat they climbed hundreds of feet in minutes. Then a less familiar shape came from the South West. A red kite drifted over us and began circling, joining a… Continue reading April 27th- red kite and blackbird song

Originally posted on Jonathan Pomroy:
A single swift was above the village again this morning. It seemed strange standing outside on what felt like a Winter’s morning (7C with leaden skies) while watching a swift. It was cruising around very slowly, conserving energy. Through the binoculars I could clearly see that its body feathers were very ‘puffed up’. I am fairly sure that this bird… Continue reading April 28th- swift and house sparrow

Originally posted on Jonathan Pomroy:
A walk this morning in dull, grey conditions. Areas of bluebells and wild garlic in Gilling woods are coming to their very best now. The scent of both species filled the air at times. We had great views of a buck roe deer through the scope. Despite the cold, birds were singing. We had superb views of a tree pipit… Continue reading April 29th- redstart