May 2018

25th-27th. West Sussex. Sandwich terns and gannets off Rustington sea front, Mediterranean gull over the road near Havant, peregrine on the outskirts of Portsmouth and a water vole on the River Wylye alongside the beer garden the Swan pub at Stoford.

22nd. Working with Dr Ransome among the ransomes. The wild garlic is in full bloom now. Photograph from Woodchester where we did a bat catch. A lesser whitethroat was singing outside the mansion.

10th-13th. Venice. Not much wildlife - yellow-legged gulls everywhere including the Piazza San Marco, great and little egrets around the lagoon. Common and little terns there too. Photos with the Fujifilm X70, a couple with the iPhone.

Canals

Doge's Palace

Basilica San Marco and Piazza Saint Marco

Street art

A Warhol, Chagall and Pollock from the splendid Guggenheim Collection.

Two pieces of Pre-Columbian art from an exhibition in the Palazzo Loredan that seem to be influenced by bats.

Then back over Barrow Tanks before landing at Bristol Airport.

9th. Green-winged orchids in flower, Ashton Court.

7th. Swifts seen towards Clifton from Bishopston.

6th. Ham Wall RSPB during the warmest Spring Bank Holiday on record.

Hairy dragonflies are on the wing.

Male marsh harrier in front of Glastonbury Tor.

Bittern.

Great egret.

The bird below (AAF) is a male ringed at Ham Wall last year.

It's great to see ravens breeding in the city. There are at least 2 young being fed on a platform at the St Michael's hospital chimney, viewable from the Skylounge at work. At least 3 youngsters are about to fledge at St Werburgh's church.

3rd. Bluebells looking good in Leigh Woods.