Ash Die-Back and Woodland Birds

Hardwick Wood is one of East Anglia's Ancient woodlands and its Ash trees are suffering badly with Ash Dieback - the tell-tale white twigs can be seen in the woodland panorama with close ups to follow. The fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus causes the lethal disease and represents a substantial threat. It was detected in the UK for the first time in 2012 and is now very widespread. The fungus blocks water and nutrients moving in the tree's vascular system, causing a restriction in water movement that leads to a significant leaf loss, bark lesions and then the dieback in the crown of the tree itself (hence the name). The loss of the Ash trees will affect the wood - there will be fewer trees for the nesting Buzzards and Kites though hole-nesters such as the Tits, Woodpeckers, Nuthatches and Tree Creepers may gain temporarily 

Signs of Spring at Paxton

On a sunny afternoon at Paxton, it felt like spring might come soon with the birds collecting nesting materials, showing off the pristine breeding plumage and stocking up on food ready for the busy times to come. 

Paxton Pits on Dull Day

Unfortunately the light was pretty poor for my visit to Paxton Pits on Wednesday, so with an ISO of around 2500 the images lack quality but I was pleased with the Woodpecker flight shots (taken with Preshots on the Fuji).

Stockholm Birds and Animals

On my second day in Stockholm, I walked across Djurgården island to Skansen Open Air museum which has a small wildlife park. I spent much of the time photographing the wild birds and squirrels and some of the captive animals including the very entertaining Wolverines and Harbour and Grey Seals. (We were lucky to see but not photograph a wild Wolverine in Laponia).

 

Fen Drayton Rainbow and Shy birds

While skipping the heavy showers (accompanied by brilliant rainbows), we attempted to photograph the large flocks of Fieldfares and Redwings but only grabbed one Redwing image before it flew off. Equally elusive, a Mistle Thrush and Green Woodpecker. Only the young Pied Wagtails were confiding