It don't have to have feathers to be intriguing at this time of year, and as avian migration was still somewheat arrested today, Phil Smith's superb picture of one of Cabin Hill's smaller residents is all the more appreciated.
"I thought you might like this for your blog, just to prove there are interesting critters other than birds out there!," Phil explains.
"This is a Yellow Dung-fly (Scathophaga sp.) on a catkin of Fine Osier Salix x forbyana at Cabin Hill yesterday. The fly is about 5mm long."
And despite the name and presumably fairly unsavoury habits, a fine looking little critter it is too!
Must keep an eye out for that one around willows and er, dung-heaps (well, where do YOU look for your Hoopoes?)
Thanks again Phil.
Not much birdwise today - Downholland Moss was pretty quiet, apart from a few Red Legged Partridge, Kestrel and Grey Heron, although Dempsey Towers did have a flock of eight Siskins and a Chiffchaff singing briefly in the afternoon sun.
Austin Thomas sent this superb shot of Avocets getting down and dirty at Marshside this week - there'll be plenty of that going on for the next month or so.
Thanks Austin.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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20+ Wheatears around the Sandplant at Marshside later this afternoon.
The RSPB is asking walkers, postmen, farmers, milkmen, birdwatchers, in fact anyone whoâÂÂs out and about in the uplands of northern England to report any sightings of one of EnglandâÂÂs rarest birds of prey, the hen harrier.
The 2009 appeal for sightings of hen harriers has been launched in a bid to find out where these birds are trying to nest in northern England. Hen harriers are one of the least familiar but most spectacular of the UKâÂÂs birds of prey. The male bird performs a magnificent aerobatic display or âÂÂsky danceâ in spring and provides food to his mate in spectacular food passes.
Peter Robertson, the RSPBâÂÂs Conservation Manager in Northern England said: âÂÂItâÂÂs great to enjoy watching and listening to birds such as curlews and skylarks while youâÂÂre outdoors, but we are again asking outdoor enthusiasts to look out for hen harriers. There have already been sightings of birds in the Forest of Bowland in Lancashire, in parts of the Peak District and at the RSPBâÂÂs Reserve in Cumbria. However, sightings from members of the public are vital to help us find new birds and new nesting areas. In 2008, reports of hen harriers received via the hotline contributed information that helped us monitor and protect these rare birds.âÂÂ
It is estimated that the heather moors of England should have around 200 pairs of nesting hen harriers, but in 2008 there were only ten successful nests in England. The majority of these were in the Forest of Bowland. The most successful nest outside Bowland was in Northumberland, where five chicks fledged. However, birds could appear and attempt to breed on any of the northâÂÂs moorlands.
Peter added: âÂÂSadly, hen harriers are all too often the victims of illegal killing or their nests are illegally destroyed. If we receive information about the location of birds, we can monitor their progress and help to protect nests. People can also report suspected incidents of killing or disturbance, which we will investigateâÂÂ.
Reports of hen harriers can be made to the Harrier Hotline on 0845 4600121 (calls charged at local rate). Details can also be e-mailed to henharriers@rspb.org.uk. Reports of sightings should include the date and location of sighting, with a grid reference where possible.