I've been checking the scree slope and quarry for a week or so and this morning at least 2 birds were on site, tuck tucking, but almost impossible to see. On Monday I had my first redwing with c35 birds briefly feeding on hawthorn before moving south. Strangest recent obs was a kingfisher feeding on stream adjacent to the west cattle grid on Cwm Cadlan on the 08/10/15. Flushed from south side of road it flew upstream to area of whats left of Welsh Water compound before flying fast and low west.
Good photo, Mike. Cotoneaster is good for some things I suppose.
ReplyDeleteOf all the fruits currently available along the slopes they do seem to favour the Cotoneaster, although it has been partially reduced at this site.
ReplyDeleteI tryed Dare valley country park this morning and had no joy and had about 50 redwing .I seen them feeding on cotoneaster on portland bill
ReplyDeleteThat's the problem with these invasive non native plants. The only things they seem to cause trouble for are our native flora and our conscience. While I am certainly not defending them, it can't be denied that when in flower, Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam and Cotoneaster are of real benefit to insects, particularly bees. Cotoneaster flowers early, when most of our natives are only sparsely flowering, while the late flowering of Japanese Knotweed and Himalayan Balsam provide a real boon to the late flying bees, hoverflies and wasps.
ReplyDeleteRing Ouzels were still there this evening.
ReplyDelete