Weekend Wildlife Saturday 10 th July from the Meadow Hide

It’s the weekend , and another sday at the hide this time I’m joined by Graham , and once again it’s rather damp here in North Wiltshire. The meadow has been very quiet today, probably due to the almost constant rain with the exception of the woodpeckers who have returned in force with both parents and the juvenile male gorging themselves all day. We also have a new arrival to the gang . I think it’s a Spotted Flycatcher , however I’m not 100% sure that I’m right so I need to do a little more in-depth research.

The Wren and Robin both still seem to be feeding their young with lots of flying back and forth with various insects. Peggy the one legged Chaffinch has spent a lot of time by the paddling pool. The power of nature to adapt and survive never fails to amaze me.

Anyway , enough wildlife for one day and time for myself and Graham to walk to the village pub and meet the wife’s for a well earned pint or two. The short walk to the pub turns out to be totally surreal. On the way back we find what looks life a tiny little dead shrew , except it’s not dead . So Graham wraps the little chap up in his jumper sleeve only to bump into a lady with a juvenile green woodpecker in a cat box. she found the young bird earlier in the day and is returning it to where the parents are waiting….

Guest book

Mammals –, Brown Rat shrew

Birds – Blue tit , Great tit , Chaffinch , Robin , Dunnock , Blackcap , Blackbird , Crow , Pigeon , Greater spotted woodpecker , Wren , Chaffinch , Spotted Flycatcher ( tbc ) Green woodpecker

Birds of prey – Buzzard

Others – Tree bumblebee , Speckled wood butterfly , Red-headed cardinal beetle