[SA Chris]

Don't know about common, but loch south of here the pair apparently has a brood of 12! I love grebe chicks, they are seriously cute.

[slackline]

Went climbing at Swanage at the weekend (brilliant climbing).  Walking back one afternoon I stooped to tie my shoe lace and right next to me was a Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera).  Never seen one before, there were about eight or nine plants in total around the area...

Bee Orchid by slack---line, on Flickr


Bee Orchid by slack---line, on Flickr

In a Meadow by slack---line, on Flickr

Bee Orchid by slack---line, on Flickr

Nesting on the cliffs were a pair of Peregrine Falcons one of which was obliging enough to pose for me...

Peregrine by slack---line, on Flickr

[Johnny Brown]

You never forget your first bee orchid. Pretty remarkable aren't they? Peregrine seems tame, what focal length was that?

[slackline]

You never forget your first bee orchid. Pretty remarkable aren't they?

They're very cool.  I like orhcids and have several in my bathroom.  Always great coming across them in the wild and learnt about these when studying (mainly due to the mimicry and a module on bees).  Thought they were quite rare in the UK, but seems they're doing ok, although not as common as some other species.  Pointed them out to a few people who were passing and one guy, presumably local to the area, said he'd not seen any in the area for a few years.

Peregrine seems tame, what focal length was that?

Its a crop from a 200mm zoom but it was probably not more than 20-30m away and seemed unphased by our presence (we were in the wrong place to descend anyway so turned round and found the right place).

[fatneck]

Great shots Slackers!!

[Johnny Brown]

Thought they were quite rare in the UK, but seems they're doing ok, although not as common as some other species.

Nah, scarce rather than rare. Spots are often reliable but numbers fluctuate wildly year to year. You get spider orchids in that part of the world too, which would class as rare. I think orchids generally are thought of as rare despite some being pretty common.

[Nutty]

Had a weekend at the in-laws in Suffolk, the highlights of which were seeing a woodlark, hobby, Dartford warbler and a very close view of a nightjar - I'd never seen one before and we had one fly right over our heads.

[slackline]

You never forget your first bee orchid. Pretty remarkable aren't they?

And within a week I came across a second patch, this time after topping out at Staden Quarry...


Peak District Bee Orchid by slack---line, on Flickr

[mini]

Went to top up the wine last night when I spotted a bat fleeting past the kitchen window. I then spent 15 mins at the back door watching it taking moths on the wing from as close as 6 feet away. Fantastic to watch.

Must have been a high insect day yesterday, as the local lane was awash with swifts and martins, many more than is normal.

[Will Hunt]

I recently had the pleasure, nay privilege, of attending a Meadow Meander event on Wigg Island, Runcorn. It had been organised by the Mersey Gateway project. Shown around a wildflower meadow (on the site of a former, quite grim pre-regulation, chemical works) which was teeming with orchids, bee orchids being the most recognisable. It's surprising what's there when you look.

[SA Chris]

Loads of what I think are orchids flowering on our local seacliffs at the moment. Will get some pics as I'm rubbish at identifying them.

[tlr]

Recent picture from the gloom of Ecclesall Woods, one of my favourite UK birds: the Treecreeper.

[willackers]

Quite a nice surprise at the weekend when I was leaving the Wentworth Estate after a fishing session. I can't believe how close I got to it before it flew away. I presume it was a youngster.

Gate Keeper by Will Atkinson, on Flickr

Gate Keeper by Will Atkinson, on Flickr

[SA Chris]

Great Buzzard, and like the Treecreeper too, cool birds.

[fatneck]

Saw what I am 99% certain was a buzzard on the moors around Blackstone edge last night but it was behaving weirdly. Seemed to be quartering low over the ground covering quite a large area. I wondered if it might opportunistically looking to spook a grouse out from hiding? Anyone seen anything like this before?

[r-man]

QUARTERING - A slow, low hunting flight used over open land by such birds as Barn Owls or Marsh Harriers.

I've seen a raptor up at Dove Lowe before (assume that's where you mean?), but never managed to get the camera out quick enough.

[fatneck]

A Marsh Harrier would fit the bill perfectly! Nice one Robin and yes it was by Dove Lowe!

[Nutty]

The behaviour sounds harrier-like. Given it was on the moors would it have been a female or young hen harrier, rather than a marsh harrier?

[fatneck]

A Hen Harrier would be considerably more exciting!

[fatneck]

Having just watched some footage of Marsh and Hen Harriers hunting, I'm fairly certain it was a juvenile/female Hen Harrier... Nice one chaps!

[r-man]

Yeah it wouldn't be marsh harriers, they like reedy marshes. Hen harriers would be cool - something to keep an eye out for in future. It does seem like they are in the area: http://calderbirds.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/hen-harrier-photos.html

[SamT]

Short Eared Owl is another possibility ?

They quater at dusk too..

Though habitat probably suggests Hen Harrier.

[andy_e]

It's perfect SEO territory and they're frequently seen quartering at any time of day... I trust Si's bird skills enough to know the difference between an owl and a harrier in flight, they're quite different! Good spot lid!

[fatneck]

Deffo wasn't ...

[SA Chris]

Nearly stood on a mole walking back from crag the other night. Didn't get any pics though.

Nearly stood on the same pheasant twice (once on the way there and once on the way back) walking through high wheat fields the other night. Not sure who got the bigger fright!