General (County) update - 20th September 2010

• This morning, at around 7am I watched a mink bound up the towpath at lock island, Caversham.
• I hadn't had such a good view of a mink for over twenty years, when a pal of mine and myself, watched a mink hunting in the GUC near Tring.
• I know there are lots of mink in the area (and on the Kennet), but this was a mighty fine view.
• Otter news also - I was privy (in a professional capacity) to watch a video of an otter in a culvert, filmed a few days ago in the southeast of England (I'm not allowed to state exactly where, but lets just say its a stone throw away from a very residential area).
• So I know we have at least one (probably more) otter in lower stretches of the river near me (many more in the upper stretches) and at least one in another famous river (not the Thames) in the southeast of England. Its true what they say you know - otters are to be found in every county in England again these days - great stuff!

General (county) news - 27th June 2010

• I haven't posted a general news update for some time now, so thought I'd briefly do just that...
• All the dragonflies are on the wing now - including Emperors - though I've yet to photograph (or even try to) those huge odonates this year.
• The hot weather continues - we may get a few clouds and a little light rain midweek this week, but thats all. Its set to top 30c today, after another sunny, hot week.
• Demoiselles are out in force on the Thames and little froglets are in thick waterside grass everywhere.
• The otter that is well known (but never seen) on our local river is next on my hit list - but that may take a LOT of time to stalk out!
• The marbled white butterflies are out, even though their main food source (thistle flowers) are still hardly in evidence. Large skippers out also as are ringlets, red-eyed damselflies and cinnabar moths.