Late this afternoon we travelled out to the edge of Dartmoor. I was hoping to get a glimpse of a Grey Wagtail and perhaps a photo. They are common birds in Devon but you have to be in the right place to see one and the little rivers on the edge of the moor are good. Having said that, this bird is one that I have yet to get a good photo of and I am afraid to say that is still the case. I discovered a pair in a breeding territory and this stopped me getting too close as I did not want to disturb them. So Yellow Wagtail remains on my list as a species that I need to devote some more time to. In the past we have had them, or should I say we had one on the edge of my tiny wildlife pond. It didn’t stay long and was gone as soon as it came. I also see them close to the house down the street on the Alphin Brook, and also at Exminster Marsh but they are a wary bird in my experience and never let me get too close.
As I walked quietly in the woods a Stoat stumbled on to me. He realised his mistake and had turned and gone before I could raise an eyebrow let alone a camera but I did see him very near, just 6 foot away and saw the black tip too his tail which I remember clearly. I stood waiting for him to come back because I have been told that Stoat will often come back for another look being very inquisitive. I was waiting for 10 minutes or so with the camera at the ready but he didn’t which is a real shame, that would have been so good.
Once I had got home and tea had been despatched I took up position with the camera and flash ready to try and get some better bat photos. There was only fleeting ‘fly-bys” today and not the activity of yesterday evening. My theory which is probably correct is that the weather was a little more breazy tonight and therefore not so many flying insects around, hence nothing for them to catch and eat. So what do they eat when the weather is cold and windy? They are tiny, they must eat eat something!
Once I had got home and tea had been despatched I took up position with the camera and flash ready to try and get some better bat photos. There was only fleeting ‘fly-bys” today and not the activity of yesterday evening. My theory which is probably correct is that the weather was a little more breazy tonight and therefore not so many flying insects around, hence nothing for them to catch and eat. So what do they eat when the weather is cold and windy? They are tiny, they must eat eat something!
I posted one of the Hoverfly portraits from yesterday on my PBase gallery and recieved a very nice comment from a Portugese gentleman who described the photo as absolutely fantastic. What a great thing to say. Have a look at my PBase Gallery by clicking here.
A late addition. I took this photo on the Marsh the other day. It is a Reed Warbler singing his territorial song early one morning.
Wildlife in a Suburban Garden 
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