Time to bow out

A lack of recent posts together with the lack of time / inclination marks the end of this blog. There are better, more frequently updated weblogs (see list on the right)that make much more interesting reading than this. See ya

Tipula maxima

Another welcome visitor today in the shape of Tipula maxima which with a legspan of around 100mm makes it Britain's largest Crane Fly. Fabulous.......

Lunchtime

Plenty of bits and bobs around the Conkers Circuit this lunchtime including good numbers of Common Blue, Cinnabar and Burnet Companion. Also of interest were very large numbers of what appear to be the beetle Oedemera luridia feeding on pollen. Pretty sure thats what they are. They have a strong southerly bias but there is a good scattering of records from the Midlands, although I suspect that they, with many other species, are greatly under recorded.

Panorpa communis

A very attractive, but very common, Scorpion Fly at work today. An interesting genus that feed largely on carrion which is frequently taken from spider's webs. Dangerous game if you ask me...............

Leucozona leucorum

Very little to report of late. Little or no mothing and very busy settling in to my new job. However, a colleague did today draw my attention to a very striking hoverfly which turned out to be Leucozona leucorum. Common but very smart. More info on them can be found here

First Migrants

Well, first migrants plural but species singular with Chiffchaff at Hill Hole Quarry and Belgrave this morning. I leave the confines of Belgrave tomorrow to start my new job in sunny South Derbyshire, just around the corner from Albert Village Lakes. I'll quite miss the urban birding around here that I've been doing for the last three or so years but hopefully my new local patch of Albert Village and Oakthorpe flashes will offer up some good pre and post work birding......

Big(ish) Bird Race

I hatched a plan a few weeks ago of a Big Bird Race with a view to having a serious assualt at the county (excluding Rutland) record of 110 set by Messrs Fray and Gray back in 2007. However after several beers in the Steam Trumpet (Thornton's new pub) last Wednesday, Dave and Andy came up with a twist to the original plan. We would only visit sites within walking distance of the village. This will give us time at Thornton Reservoir, Browns Wood and surrounding National Forest land and Bagworth Heath. We are also hoping to take in the pits at Brascote. We have set outselves an ambitious target of 90 species and we are planning May 1st as the day

Thornton Year List

I am determined to have a crack at a good year list for Thornton this year. I'll keep the total under my hat presently until I hit 75+ then I will shout from the rooftops. A Water Rail on New Years Day was a step in the right direction and a Kingfisher last week was only my second ever one at the res. I know I'm well behind Messers Wright and Smith but slowly, slowly catchy monkey....................

Patch Tick

Another Watermead waif and stray on the river in Belgrave this morning in the shape of 2 drake and a female Teal.

The Leicester Llama - In my dreams

I had a fitful nights sleep last night compounded by the oddest dream.....I was birding in the churchyard in Thornton and found, in no particular order, 2 Bearded Tit, Hoopoe, Redstart and 2 Pied Flycatcher. I put the news out and first on the scene was Andy Mackay but not as we know him now, more circa 1980's complete with beard....He then proceeded to claim a Yellow Browed Warbler which he then plucked from a bush with his hand to find it was in fact a Siskin.......Early night for me tonight I think.........

The last couple of weeks....

The Wednesday after Xmas saw myself and Andy Smith venturing out in the rain to meet up with Chris Hubbard at Stanford Res. Quite a productive visit with Pink Footed Goose in the large Greylag flock, a few Goosander, a drake Red Crested Pochard and a couple of suspect looking Barnacle Geese. We then headed to Shawell to meet up with Neil Hagley (who I hadn't seen for about 20 years!!). Less than ideal conditions but we did muster up a solitary Yellow Legged Gull. Back then to South Kilworth for some Hubbard hospitality and a welcome whiskey or four. Popped to the Res late on New Years Day for the very showy Water Rail near the lodge.

Goosander

I know I said no more until after Xmas but I was very pleased to see a group of 13 Goosander (7 male and 6 female) on the river near work yesterday on Thurcaston Road. Presumably Watermead is partially frozen to force them down here ?? Still 3 males and 3 females this morning together with a pair of Shoveler, which is a patch tick.

Merry Christmas

No further updates between now and the festive season so I hope everybody has a fabulous Xmas and all the best for 2010.

Darts

Away tonight at The Gate Inn, Hugglescote. Check back tomorrow for the result.....

Staunton Harold Reservoir

Despite it only being up the road I'd never been to SHR until Saturday. I was taking the kids to the nearby Ferrers Centre but popped in to devour our packed lunch. After finally dragging myself away from the play area I managed to have a short wander up to the sailing club. Lots of big gulls and I imagine there's quite a sizable roost (?). Other notables where a large lapwing flock, 4 drake Goldeneye and I think that was about it. What wasn't so much fun was having to pay £2.50 to park!!

Moths

In the last few days Thornton Working Mens Club has produced Mottled Umber, Angle Shades and a very dead (presumably since October!) Frosted Orange. Lots of Winter Moths still in the headlights and today a solitary Emmelina monodactyla on the wall at work today. Add to this a Hofmannophila pseudospretella and a Alucita hexadactyla at home recently.

Arrows

Another win!! At home to the Queens Head, Markfield. 7-2 on the night. Best arrows by me were a 100 and a 126 but a very good standard of darts by all of us with some good averages......Not sure which North West Leicestershire fleshpot we will be heading to next week but I'll post the result here (unless we lose)

Scaup

Yes, another patch tick on the weekend courtesy of Andy (as they usually are - just makes me feel bad that I never told him about the Red Crested Pochard that he still needs.....) No sign on Sunday but remarkably reappeared on the afternoon with a second one in tow. After my prophetic (or pathetic) statement about the next VC55 addition being Dartford Warbler I'll stick my neck out and go for a Firecrest at Thornton next. The churchyard would be perfect........

Thornton WMC 6 - Jolly Colliers 3

Still unbeaten.........

Lets Play Darts.......

Forgotten to mention the flying start that we (Thornton WMC Darts A) have made to the North Leicestershire Darts winter league. Unbeaten so far having seen off The Waggon and Horses, Ibstock on the opening night (winning 5-4 after being 4-1 down and them having divine help in the shape of the local vicar in their squad!!), to beating the Brant Inn, Groby at home and winning away last Monday at the Red Lion, Desford. Last nights match has been rearranged and will see us taking on The Jolly Colliers, Coalville at our place this evening at 8.45pm. Feel free to drop by. We ain't exbibition standard but the ale is good.........