Fox and Marmalade!

A very sad specimen was at the station this morning - no, not me - but a badly mange-affected Fox. The tail was eaten away and the haunches horribly bare. On a lighter note, a Marmalade Hoverfly was basking in the sun nearby. A Great Tit, 2 Long-tailed Tits, a couple of Chaffinches and 2 Starlings were also knocking around the station.

Fox

Marmalade Hoverfly

Blackbird nest-building!

This morning at the station a female Blackbird was collecting nesting material and the spring-like conditions also encouraged lots of birdsong from Dunnocks, Great Tits, Goldfinches and Robins. I went back this afternoon and the House Sparrows were active on the disused platform. A few Chaffinches were loitering near the feeders. The Green Shieldbug was still around this morning - it hadn't moved far (but is definitely alive!) A Coal Tit was still singing in the park.

Green Shieldbug

House Sparrows

Insects about!

The little path to the station has a bit of Ivy which often has insects on it and this morning the sunshine brought out a Green Shieldbug and a small fly which I've been unable to ID as yet (UPDATE: probable Anthomyiidae). A Jackdaw flew over and a Blackbird was feeding near the tunnel. A Coal Tit was singing in the park.

Blackbird

Mystery fly

Green Shieldbug

Montpelier Station!

This morning a couple of Robins were feeding together on the railway tracks - they must be a pair as they would not tolerate each other otherwise. There was a brief snatch of Blackbird song nearby. There were a few Starlings around too. I returned in the afternoon sunshine and there was lots of bird activity - Great, Blue and Long-tailed Tits were feeding and a Dunnock was singing on a branch. My first hoverfly of the year was basking on a leaf - a Meliscaeva auricollis. Spring has arrived!

Long-tailed Tit

Robin

Starling

Meliscaeva auricollis

At Picton Lane I disturbed a Pied Wagtail. In Richmond Road some Bittercress was in flower - maybe Hairy Bittercress.

Bittercress

Cats 'n' Coal Tits!

At the top of Station Road this morning a Coal Tit was singing from the top of a birch tree, it's not always easy to get such prolonged views of this bird. At the station, the birds were scarce no doubt mainly because of the local Ginger Tom.

Coal Tit

Montpelier Park!

Not too much to get excited about in the park this morning other than a Pied Wagtail, Blue Tit, Blackbird, Robin and Collared Dove. A few White Deadnettle plants in flower.

Blackbird

White Deadnettle

Pied Wagtail

At the station there were a few Chaffinches and 3 Starlings, a singing Dunnock and Robin.

Starling

Wasp!

I was amazed to see this Common Wasp flying around the flat this evening. I think I disturbed her when I was rummaging earlier. I have moved her downstairs where it is cooler.