The British Blades Phenological Record.

[tomtom]

Right outdoors folk (and indoors folk, if you fancy) I have been meaning to post this here for a while. When I saw the first Swallows and the first Butterflies of the year months back and when I saw the ant lift a month or so ago but I didn't get around to it and now its starting to feel decidedly autumnal down here in Devon, that's almost a years records missed.

As I know a lot of us are regularly out in the countryside bumbling around and photographing things I thought it would be a nice idea to record those annual events which signal a change in the weather the climate and/or the seasons when we observe them up and down the country.

I think it would be good to record a date and time of these events if possible, as well as your rough location. If you manage to snap a photograph post that up too.

[tomtom]

This morning (6th sept) around 9am on a cold sunny morning I observed the small group of Canada Geese who occupy the stubble fields around here at this time of year. This is the first time I have seen them since last winter so assume they have only recently arrived. I will try and catch a picture next time I see them

[Beachlover]

What a brilliant idea for a thread.
Even more so if it had some pics here and there.
I spent a sunny afternoon here watching a couple of Buzzards - nothing special, but the idea of photographing and noting Fauna and flora through the year when there are significant seasonal migrations and growth would be a great record over time



A phrenological record and study of BB members could be fun too

[Stew]

Have you seen this:

http://www.naturescalendar.org.uk/survey/jeancombes.htm

[Beachlover]

Have you seen this:

http://www.naturescalendar.org.uk/survey/jeancombes.htm

All well and good, but her profile mentions nothing about her collecting knives having a tactical nylon fetish, or being an expert on LED circuitry - How on earth would she be credible?

[tomtom]

I never came back to this thread you know. I am glad you thought it was a brill idea Kev, for some reasons I thought no one had replied.

Anyway, I just thought I would report that today 26th of November, we have daffodils coming up in the garden. I wonder what will happen to them, will they be killed by a frost later in the winter, will they flower or will they hold on and flower next year? I have also seen bats this month, as well as two butterflies last week on a shoot day, never before have I seen these things in November.

My friend and I went down to the woods today to climb a suitable beech and drink a cup of tea and I was sitting in my t-shirt as we picnicked. Is everyone else having as exceptionally mild a November as we are in South Devon?

[tomtom]

Have you seen this:

http://www.naturescalendar.org.uk/survey/jeancombes.htm

No, I hadn't seen that. Amazing! Thanks Stew.

[Mr Happymoose]

It's been stupidly mild even up here. We still have Lavender in the garden throwing out new flowers! It's only the last few days I've needed to wear more than combats and t-shirt to go outside, even late at night to cover the bike up. For the Peak District mid to late November it's just downright wierd!

[Danzo]

Is everyone else having as exceptionally mild a November as we are in South Devon?

No, it has been very, very cold, damp, grey and totally miserable here in Nottingham. I've had to have the electric heater on over the last couple of days and I don't normally need that unless there is a blizzard!

Danzo

[Beachlover]

I picked a handful of fresh raspberries today and on Monday picked and ate what I think was probably the last strawberry of the year.

[Noddy]

There are no houseflies at this time of year here, - too cold - but I just walked into someone's office at work and found about half a dozen of the things buzzing in little squares round the light fitting (as they do).

It was unusual to see them so I have kept my eye open

[Robevs73]

It,s wet here in Wales, what a shock!!!
but yes it is mild for november.

[fluffy]

Saw a flock of Starlings cavorting about alongside the Medway today, on the land set aside for more "housing units" by the river (don't come down lads, brownfield site heavily polluted. It's always offputting when the topsoil is being removed by chaps carrying Geiger counters) so that folk from the North can come and live down where it's warm.

[Bullseye]

One of the best ideas I've seen for a thread for quite some time.

I'll be that bit more observent of what's going on around me from now on.

The squid fishing season started in the south of Corsica in early November. It's a water temperature driven occurrence. The squid start running when the sea temperature drops to about 18 degrees C and below.

[steve5533]

Still very mild around here as well,saw a hedgehog a few nights ago and a few moths and bats flying around last night.