Dunstable STW: Thursday

A Common Stonechat was feeding off the dead Elms along the approach track and is probably the same one that was reported in the log over the last couple of days.



With the popularity of 'Alabaster' Mallards on the decline, these three Mallard have nothing to do ! :~)



A Muntjac Deer scavenges under the bird feeders.

Atlas Work

Next year sees the start of the 3rd national breeding atlas project run by the British Trust for Ornithology. As a county, Bedfordshire are starting a year earlier. Familiar to many folk, the Blue Tit should be easy to mark down as a confirmed breeder.



Two Eurasian Treecreeper were very active chasing one another around old 'crack' Willows in the water meadow. Four 'adaptations' can be seen on this bird. A long, decurved bill to get food from bark crevices, long claws help negotiate the surfaces on the tree, a stiff tail used for support and balance, and camouflage - dark above for predator defence and pale beneath while looking for prey.



Typical this time of year- one female Mallard with an entourage of attending males.