AUGUST 2024
As the year moves on so the natural world provides a more relaxed environment. The flora .. particularly trees .. take on just a hint of browning leaves and most of the birds and animals have completed their breeding cycle. Our site faithful Cuckoo has long since departed on his reverse migratory journey (they actually are primarily African birds: only visiting our shores annually to breed after spending 8 - 9 months in the central African belt) and there are just a few late breeding Common Swifts still around. Also some Barn Swallows with second brood youngsters to feed.
In the first week of the month I was alerted to the distinctive sound of the Stone Curlew calling overhead in the very early hours of the morning. They tend to disperse from their breeding grounds in the county and create a gathering of maybe 60 - 70 birds before finally setting off south to North Africa for the winter. Cavendish Heath here in Suffolk is a well documented site for such gatherings. But there are always new arrivals to brighten our days.
When we first came to Sapiston I made and set up a unique Little Owl box on a birch tree well away from the house and screened from close human contact. We had occupants within the first 3 years and confirmed breeding in 2015. Three babies fledged successfully but then disaster .. the box was taken over by a swarm of tree bees which took months to move on and the owls deserted for the next 5 years. The odd bird would use the box solely for roosting after I fully cleaned out the interior. Last week I needed to make some minor repairs to the box and when I opened the door I was greeted by the face of a young male Little Owl staring sternly at me until I quickly closed the door fully and made a quiet exit. Obviously a first year bird and a sign that the box is being used again by one of the offspring from a pair breeding elsewhere. Utter delight. I have had reports of a family apparently breeding in the area of Honington churchyard and perhaps this is one of the 2024 brood. Fingers crossed that he finds a mate later this year
Although a quieter time generally there is always something new to witness .. Common Buzzards kettling very high up with their youngsters learning about thermals and even Ravens flying high overhead but giving themselves away by the unique gutteral cronking call and the "Ace of Spades" shaped tail.
You may recall my reference to Hedgehogs in my July notes and in the latter days of the month one of the new youngsters started to venture out to feed on his own. In fact the photograph I managed to obtain was the result of actually hearing him crunching on beetle wing cases as he foraged in the long grass near to where I was working; these being the hedgehogs' absolute favourite source of food. Numbers of beetles were obviously high and luckily he did not even become aware of my presence Another new life and a joy to watch
Stay watchful, Brian Taylor
As the year moves on so the natural world provides a more relaxed environment. The flora .. particularly trees .. take on just a hint of browning leaves and most of the birds and animals have completed their breeding cycle. Our site faithful Cuckoo has long since departed on his reverse migratory journey (they actually are primarily African birds: only visiting our shores annually to breed after spending 8 - 9 months in the central African belt) and there are just a few late breeding Common Swifts still around. Also some Barn Swallows with second brood youngsters to feed.
In the first week of the month I was alerted to the distinctive sound of the Stone Curlew calling overhead in the very early hours of the morning. They tend to disperse from their breeding grounds in the county and create a gathering of maybe 60 - 70 birds before finally setting off south to North Africa for the winter. Cavendish Heath here in Suffolk is a well documented site for such gatherings. But there are always new arrivals to brighten our days.
When we first came to Sapiston I made and set up a unique Little Owl box on a birch tree well away from the house and screened from close human contact. We had occupants within the first 3 years and confirmed breeding in 2015. Three babies fledged successfully but then disaster .. the box was taken over by a swarm of tree bees which took months to move on and the owls deserted for the next 5 years. The odd bird would use the box solely for roosting after I fully cleaned out the interior. Last week I needed to make some minor repairs to the box and when I opened the door I was greeted by the face of a young male Little Owl staring sternly at me until I quickly closed the door fully and made a quiet exit. Obviously a first year bird and a sign that the box is being used again by one of the offspring from a pair breeding elsewhere. Utter delight. I have had reports of a family apparently breeding in the area of Honington churchyard and perhaps this is one of the 2024 brood. Fingers crossed that he finds a mate later this year
Although a quieter time generally there is always something new to witness .. Common Buzzards kettling very high up with their youngsters learning about thermals and even Ravens flying high overhead but giving themselves away by the unique gutteral cronking call and the "Ace of Spades" shaped tail.
You may recall my reference to Hedgehogs in my July notes and in the latter days of the month one of the new youngsters started to venture out to feed on his own. In fact the photograph I managed to obtain was the result of actually hearing him crunching on beetle wing cases as he foraged in the long grass near to where I was working; these being the hedgehogs' absolute favourite source of food. Numbers of beetles were obviously high and luckily he did not even become aware of my presence Another new life and a joy to watch
Stay watchful, Brian Taylor