After my successful trip to Dartmoor yesterday I returned to try for some better photographs of the Marsh Tit and for one last look for any rarities. I had caught a glimpse yesterday of a bunting, the Yellowhammer. As you can see from the photo this is a remarkably pretty bird, canary yellow with attractive rusty brown markings on the back and head, and also, as you can see I managed to get a few good photos of it. In fact there were two of them, both males I believe. When you see how brightly coloured they are as a species it makes you ask the question”How do they avoid predators such as Sparrowhawks“? Well that will have to remain a mystery because there is no logical answer. This species is in meltdown in the UK and is on the Red List as a species that needs special attention. As a child in the 1950’s you could find, see and hear a Yellowhammer on almost every countryside outing. Now they are scarce to say the least. This is thought to be due to the over-use of pesticides and agricultural practises. Every child at my school knew a little rhyme about bread and cheese that matches the syllables in the Yellowhammers song, that’s how common and well known they were. Or perhaps it mat say more about the children of the 1950’s compared to those of today. We actually had nature study lessons in my primary school!
Today, back on Dartmoor, the activity on and around the feeder was intense. The Nuthatch and Marsh tit did put in an appearance and I enjoyed watching them as well as getting some good shots. The weather here in the UK is very spring-like today but we are due for a return to cold conditions to coincide with Easter.
My Collared Doves are spending a lot of time in the hedge in my garden, perhaps they have chosen their nest site. A Bumblebee sp was in the garden, but apart from that, still no other insect activity so far.