Rolling Harbour

HARRIS HAWK, DORSET

Published on October 9, 2013 by Rolling Harbour2 Comments

This hawk is a bird of the Americas, but they are found in Europe – in particular in Britain – as the result of escapes from captivity. They are popular hawks for falconry, being relatively easy to train. However, when released they don’t always return to their owner. The large feral pigeon population of London’s Trafalgar Square is controlled by the tactical deployment of Harris Hawks at dawn.

I was recently able to get quite close to one at an Oak Fair in Dorset, where watery sunshine brought out the wonderfully rich colouring of the bird. I only has a snapping camera with me, but these photos give a pretty good idea of the bird and its plumage. I’ve included a shot of its characteristic white-tipped tail.

KESTREL STUDIES, DORSET

Published on October 6, 2013 by Rolling Harbour8 Comments

A POPULAR POPPY WITH SMALL BEES Romneya coulteri

Published on October 2, 2013October 2, 2013 by Rolling Harbour3 Comments

TREE POPPY Romneya coulteri

This plant at Oxburgh Hall, Norfolk was a magnet for small bees. We watched them come and go, filling up their little saddlebags. Photos of bees in flight don’t often work well. These are no exception. Still, they do catch the general bizzyness of the proceedings. The plant was lovely, not one we knew. Another new bee plant find for the year, along with Hyssop.

THE GRAPE HARVEST

Published on September 28, 2013September 30, 2013 by Rolling Harbour4 Comments

GRAPE HARVEST

As summer gives way to autumn, the vine leaves start to turn rusty red

Grapes that have been green all summer gradually turn deep red, almost black

This year the grapes have been more prolific than for many years

The bunches are larger, juicier and sweeter than ever before

Today was the Vendemmia, the annual grape harvest

About 25% of the harvest filled a traditional blue grape-picking receptacle
And this happened today in… West London

SHEEP ON DARTMOOR

Published on September 25, 2013November 8, 2013 by Rolling HarbourLeave a comment

“HONEY RUSH” – LAST ORDERS IN THE SEASON’S FLORAL SALOON

Published on September 21, 2013September 21, 2013 by Rolling Harbour4 Comments

The bees are working overtime as a chill spreads over September and winter downtime looms for them. So busy are they that there is competition for individual flowers – even though there are more than enough to go round. Bumbles were out in force yesterday, and there are still butterflies around, mainly tiny Small Coppers and Whites of different sizes.

We’ve done a quick assessment of plant popularity this spring and summer that produces this league table:

Hyssop – the runaway winner for bees of many types, ditto butterflies and (new entry) moths. Planted for the first time in May, and has effortlessly thrived (throve? thriven?) to become Nectar Central.
Lavender – perennial success with bees and butterflies. More planted this spring and very well visited.
Cosmos – new to the garden this year, a fast and easy grower, and hugely popular with bees, especially bumbles. Also visited by honey bees and butterflies, but only on their way the the hyssop.

Blurry, I know, but the intruder arrived from nowhere as I pressed the button… Why it didn’t land on one of several vacant flowers next to this one, I have no idea. Maybe fighting drunk on pollen?