26 February 2023

 I haven't been out too much of late, but had a walk around the courses first thing this morning.  There was nothing too unusual, but it is nice to see an increase in Greenfinches, particularly around the first tee on the Red course.  As I stopped off to do some practice at the Doghouse practice ground this Magpie sat on the fence while I photographed from the car.

Magpie [Doghouse practice ground]

On the Blue course there were quite a few Woodpeckers around, both Green and Greater-spotted.  A pair of Kingfishers was near the bridge by the 2nd green.

Kingfisher [2nd Blue]

A Blue Tit was feeding on the Bullrushes next to the 3rd green.

Blue Tit [3rd Blue]

There is a lot of work going on to clear the ditch on the Blue course.  Hopefully this will make it a bit more difficult for badgers to cross...

On the Red course I noticed these artificial bee-hives which have appeared between the 13th and 15th.  

There are also plenty of Snowdrop patches around the course.  These were on the 5th Red.

Snowdrops Galanthus nivalis [5th Red]

12 June 2022

 

I had a walk around all three courses early this morning.   This Roe Deer was feeding just off the path on the 3rd Blue, oblivious to my approach for a while and I managed to get quite close before it spotted me and sped off.

Roe Deer [3rd Blue]

The Spotted Flycatchers were on the left of the 4th today.  They seemed to be a family party of 4 or 5 birds feeding in the trees and occasionally grabbing an insect from the ground.

Spotted Flycatcher [4th Blue]

They are not the most obvious birds to identify, but there are not many small other birds around the course that perch, fly and hover and then return to the same spot.

On the Green course there was also a family party of 7 or 8 Magpies on the 15th and a single Jay in the undergrowth behind the 6th Green.

Magpies [15th Green]

Jay [6th Green]

Lots of insects out and about this morning.  Snipe Flies are carnivorous and live in shady damp areas. The male and female are very different in appearance - the male is the small dark one.  These two were on the 9th Red.

Snipe Flies Chrysopilus cristatus [9th Red]

Small Tortoiseshell butterflies are easy to spot all over the course at the moment.  This one was on the 14th Red.

Small Tortoiseshell Aglais urticae [14th Red]

2 April 2022

 

Some sunny weather over the last couple of weeks and a definite shift towards spring.  The Redwings seem to have disappeared by now, although I did see some late Fieldfares flying over earlier this morning.  The resident thrushes are in good voice though.  This Song Thrush sings regularly from near the 3rd tee on the Blue and Mistle Thrushes are abundant on the fairways.

Song Thrush [3rd Blue]

Mistle Thush [4th Blue]

It is good to see some water birds returning to the reservoir.  These Tufted Duck were part of a flock on 5 this morning.  There have also been a pair of Coot quite regularly.

Tufted Ducks [Reservoir]

A few different geese are around the pond on the 3rd Blue.  These Greylag Geese were near the water's edge earlier in the week.

Greylag Geese [3rd Blue]

But these Canada Geese were clearly more experienced and knew the safest place to be whilst I lined up my tee shot.

Canada Geese [3rd Blue]

The large flock of visiting Chaffinches and Bramblings has moved on, but elsewhere on the course there are large flocks of Linnets along with other residents such as Greenfinches and Goldfinches - particularly around the 14th and 15th on the Red.

Greenfinch [15th Red]

Magpies are fairly frequent around the estate, but around the 4th and 5th on the Blue some quite large gatherings appear.  I have seen 8 or 9 together.  This morning there was a flock of 4 around the 4th green.

Magpies [4th Blue]

Whilst playing the 18th on the Green earlier in the week I had a very brief glimpse through my binoculars of a Firecrest high in the trees to the left of the tee.  It's the first time that I've seen one on the course although I know that other people have spotted them.

There were a couple of Kingfishers around the 1st on the Blue this morning - by the pond and the stream behind.

Kingfisher [1st Blue]

.. and numerous Treecreepers on all three courses.

Treecreeper [3rd Blue]

Lots of flowers are starting to appear.  Wavy Bittercress is one that I didn't spot last year and which is growing in great quantities in Boundary Fen.

Wavy Bittercress Cardamine flexuosa [13th Red]

Various violets are also brightening shady areas.

Common Dog Violet Viola riviniana [13th Red]

27 February 2021

 

Beautiful morning, had a walk around all 3 courses.  Nothing particularly noteworthy, but all looking good in the sunshine.  Siskins, Crossbills and Goldfinches were all feeding around the 3rd and 4th on the Red.

Siskins [4th Red]

Crossbill [3rd Red]

This Long-tailed Tit was gathering nesting material in the gorse beside the 18th Blue.

Long-tailed Tit [18th Blue]

There are plenty of Great Tits singing around the course at the moment.  This one is a male.  The males have broader black stripes across their front than females.  Great Tits have one of the most impressive repertoires of different calls of any British bird with over 100 different songs being recorded.  This bird only felt the need to employ one of these.

Other birds about include one of the two Magpies that always frequent the trees around the 12th Red, a Coot on the reservoir and a Buzzard flying over the first couple of holes on the Blue.

Magpie [12th Red]

Coot [reservoir]

Buzzard [2nd Blue]

This Muntjac Deer didn't spot me whilst it was grazing in the area between the 15th and 13th on the Red.

A few more familiar flowers are appearing all around the course - a bit of yellow about today.

Daffodil Narcissus pseudonarcissus [15th Red]

Dandelion Taraxacum officinale [12th Red]

Lesser Celandine Ficaria verna [4th Blue]