I've been down the Dene today with SW recording some narration for my final project. Picking him up at 11:00 we first headed to the Grey Wagtails, pleased to find them taking food into the nest, although no chicks were to be seen, I presume they've only hatched today or more likely yesterday.


Moving on to a remoter part of the dene, we spent the rest of the afternoon sitting on a fallen tree, writing and recording the narration. Amongst the hail, rain, wind and glorious sunshine we managed to see and here some of the Dene's secrets. A pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers were active overhead, moving from tree to tree, until we caught sight of them copulating, I'd never witnessed this behaviour before with GSW's. Next some commotion from behind, and then the culprit, a couple of Common Buzzards, interacting, possibly a pair? After the Buzzards had eventually moved on the Blackbirds could be heard 'kicking off' as it were, a characteristic sound which could only mean one thing, a Tawny Owl, first the slightest of calls, then a fly-by out of the Ivy.


Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Jackdaws, Stock Doves, Chiff Chaff, Blue Tits and Wrens were all showing signs of nesting. The Dipper showed well on our walk back to the car.

2012 Wildlife Film Competition

My short film 'A Quiet Corner' has recently came in third place for Frontier, Wildeye, Wildlife Film and NHU Africa's 2012 Wildlife Film Competition. Watch my entry below, and see what the judges said HERE.

A Quiet Corner

I'm currently stuck inside, grafting on a 3000 word assignment, but here's my 2012 Wildeye Film Competition Entry for now. I've got a full wildlife week planned ahead, watch this space.

Dipper success !

A wander down the Dene tonight found me stumbling upon a young Dipper, the first I've seen in the area. I'd found their nest a few weeks back with four eggs, and checked it again last week, it was empty although it seemed to have raised a clutch, I was more that ecstatic to gain conformation.

This Grey Heron was one of a few lurking around at the public hide, the female Mallard had its work cut out.