localnaturalhistory

[localnaturalhistory]

And this is Garlic Mustard.

[localnaturalhistory]

As usual at this time of year, I come across lots of wild white flowers on my walks whose names I don't remember and have to look up (again). This it turns out is Stitchwort.

[localnaturalhistory]

Warner Brothers are in the process of ecologically enhancing the area to the west of their existing studios site at Leavesden. Previously this consisted of a field that regularly contained Skylarks, so hopefully they will be back as well as many other species. What hasn't been mentioned is that the studios backlot area has been expanded by building on what was previously another field nearby. Anyway, looking forward to seeing the result of the ecological enhancement works.

#warner bros #Leavesden

[localnaturalhistory]

A great picture of a Cormorant drying its wings next to the Regents Canal. They have to do this as, unlike many other birds that spend their time on the water, their feathers are not totally waterproof (Photo Credit: STG)

[localnaturalhistory]

Also on the Regents Canal were this Coot plus 3 youngsters (Photo Credit: STG)

[localnaturalhistory]

Another Egyptian Goose, this one was alongside the Regents canal in London (Photo Credit: STG)

[localnaturalhistory]

Egyptian Geese plus 3 chicks (Photo Credit: SM)

[localnaturalhistory]

A temperature inversion over the fields alongside the Grand Union Canal.

[localnaturalhistory]

It's been a good week for butterflies, and here's another first for the year: a Peacock.

[localnaturalhistory]

A male Holly Blue suns himself. It's rare to see this butterfly with its wings open, normally they rest with their wings closed - the underside of their wings are white with small black dots.

[localnaturalhistory]

A very early Bluebell! (About 4 weeks early) (Picture Credit: AR)

[localnaturalhistory]

Mandarins on the Grand Union Canal (Video Credit: J)

[localnaturalhistory]

The deep croaks ('cronks') of 2 Ravens circling overhead.

[localnaturalhistory]

For the first time in years, the dawn chorus was almost entirely made up of the twitters and nasal songs of Greenfinches. The song of a Wren intrudes about half way through.

[localnaturalhistory]

A Beefly soaks up the sun; they can be seen from February onwards, but this is the first I've seen this year.

[localnaturalhistory]

White Blackthorn blossom against a blue sky, wonderful.

[localnaturalhistory]

First Chiffchaff of the year: I missed the train but heard this instead!

#chiffchaff