my local patch and wildlife - Ian McDonald

[ian mcdonald]

I went to a site last week where up to 20 osprey have been seen. I saw 6 and they were too far away for a good photo.



I then went round to the bird hide and met a local bird watcher. He pointed to where two Curlew Sandpipers were feeding with Dunlin. I walked out to within about 20 feet of the birds and they carried on feeding but kept a watch on me.



Curlew Sandpiper.



Dunlin.

Today was warm and sunny so I had a walk by the river. On a bed of Michaelmas Daisies were Comma, Red Admiral, Painted Lady and Speckled Wood butterflies. Not far away were Peacock and Small White. On my way back I saw some Bullfinches.

[ian mcdonald]

We had a light frost this morning. Down by the river spiders webs were highlighted by the Dew.



The river has been rising and falling over the past few weeks, with the softer bank collapsing.



Among the fungi seen was Shaggy Ink Cap.



There are  a good number of Salmon passing through just now. Do they leap to display to females?



The Autumn colours seem later this year.

[Robert]

Hi Ian

The countryside is beautiful in your region. It appears that there are many deciduous trees at the lower elevations and conifers at the higher elevations. Are the coniferous trees native? Native trees but planted as a tree farm for timber harvest? There is so much I do not know about your part of the world.

Frosty nights are frequent at the higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The first significant snow fell in the Sierras a few days ago. This is a bit early. Now the weather is warm again and the snow will be gone by today or tomorrow. Traditionally, the first frost at our El Dorado County farm is 31 October. Now, with climate change, it is generally much later. The weather change has brought the White-crowned Sparrows and other birds down from the Sierra Nevada. The seasons are changing.