Documenting surprising sightings, fascinating findings, & exciting encounters, with birds, wildlife, & other nature,
around Hemel Hempstead...

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NEW SOCIAL MEDIA, & BLOG COMING SOON


Regular visitors will have noticed a decrease in posts to the HEMEL NATURE
blog - this is because I have been living & working out of the area, & due to the job my time out
& about with nature in Hemel is limited. I am working on a new blog to come soon & hope that the work that has gone into HEMEL NATURE will prove useful & interesting to those still visiting it.


In the mean time you can follow me at my new accounts on the following social media platforms...

Instagram @DanFWildlife > https://www.Instagram.com/DanFWildlife

Twitter @DanFWildlife > https://Twitter.com/DanFWildlife

Facebook I am still building on but you can still follow me none-the-less
by 'Likeing' the @DanFWildlife Page > https://www.Facebook.com/DanFWildlife

Many thanks for your support,

Dan.

Tuesday 29 July 2014

WILLOW WARBLER at green N side of Piccotts End Pools

Monday 28 July 2014

BARN OWL on the Box Moor Trust estate.


Lucy Flower saw a BARN OWL on Box Moor Trust estate land this evening which is a first for the trust & a great record anyway. Read her account & watch the footage she took on her fantastic blog > HERE <.



EDIBLE DORMOUSE (Glis glis) calling from trees behind Valley Green, Woodhall Farm - backing on to Holtsmere End Lane, at 21.25 - earliest time I've heard them.

Thursday 24 July 2014

BULLFINCHES, BEES & BUTTERFLIES at Box Moor Trust's Bovingdon Brickworks


Popped in at Bovingdon Brickworks before work this morning & the following is a list of creatures of note that I saw...


Notable BIRDS

BULLFINCHES - good to see & hear plenty all over the site, this must now be best place locally for them.
LINNETS - quite a few about
GOLDFINCHES - could be heard a lot of the time
GREENFINCH - heard 1
LONG-TAILED TITS - roving family(ies) flock at edge of Baker's Wood
GOLDCREST - 1+ at edge of Baker's Wood
Juvenile CHIFFCHAFFS - 5+
BLACKCAPS - C.4
WHITETHROATS - C.4
RED KITES - 2 over
BUZZARD - 1 low over
SWALLOWS - few hunting
HOUSE MARTIN - 1+ hunting
SWIFTS - C.2 hunting over
SONG THRUSH - 1 singing now & then near Green Lane


BEES

EARLY BUMBLEBEE - 1+
RED-TAILED BUMBLEBEES - C.3
HONEY BEES - plenty, in fact not seen so many in years, this site must be particularly good for them.
WILLUGHBY'S LEAFCUTTER BEE - 1


Notable HOVERFLIES

VOLUCELLA PELUCENS - 1 on Buddleja at path junction N of Baker's Wood at 51.714544, -0.542616


DRAGONFLIES

SOUTHERN HAWKER - hunting Baker's Wood footpath


BUTTERFLIES

SMALL TORTOISESHELLS - 2 on Buddleja at path junction N of Baker's Wood at 51.714544, -0.542616
RED ADMIRALS - 2 on Buddleja at path junction N of Baker's Wood
PEACOCKS - all over but notable high numbers (20+) on Buddleja at path junction N of Baker's Wood, more than I've ever seen before in one place at the same time.
SMALL SKIPPERS - quite a few
SMALL WHITES - quite a few, 1 of which on Buddleja at path junction N of Baker's Wood
BRIMSTONES - C3, 2 of which on Buddleja at path junction N of Baker's Wood
SPECKLED WOOD - 1 on Buddleja at path junction N of Baker's Wood
GATEKEEPERS - a few about, 1 on Buddleja at path junction N of Baker's Wood
MEADOW BROWNS - quite a few about, 1 on Buddleja at path junction N of Baker's Wood
MARBLED WHITES - a few about
COMMON BLUES - good numbers


Notable MOTHS

SIX-SPOT BURNET MOTHS - quite a few about, 1 mating pair
CINNABAR MOTH - caterpillar, & 1 possible imago seen at distance
Unidentified almond shaped plain-whiteish moth momentarily feeding on Buddleja at path junction N of Baker's Wood


Will try to post some pictures when I get time.



Monday 7 July 2014

BARN OWL hunting at M1 J8, at 'island' of grass & scrub bordered by M1 & A414, Buncefield / Leverstock Green, 01.10.


BARN OWL hunting at M1 J8 at 01.10. Quartering the 'island' of grass & scrub bordered by M1 & A414 between Buncefield & Leverstock Green - my first actual sighting other than hearing one in the Hemel area, though they were known to frequent the Buncefield area before the explosion. Great to know they are returning there.