As I walked along beside Large Lake on my late lunch a sizeable GRASS SNAKE crossed the path infront of me heading for the water. I didn't expect to see one out in the open in mid-October, especially as there had been a sudden drop in temperature recently. I took this short video clip to share this beauty... GRASS SNAKE (Natrix natrix) at Watermead, Aylesbury, 14/10/20. Watermead is the best place I know of for seeing Grass Snakes, with its two lakes bordered by the River Thame, mini marsh, & small floodplain meadows & wet woodland, despite it essentially being a housing estate.

Whist 'Vis-migging' (observing the visible migration of) autumn migrant birds on my lunch break at Watermead, I spotted a CLOUDED YELLOW Butterfly quite high over the water at Large Lake - it was battling the strong winds of an incoming storm & I was impressed with the control & determination of such a delicate & lightweight creature in such adverse conditions. Nature will always continue to amaze us. CLOUDED YELLOW Butterfly battling strong winds of an incoming storm whilst migrating - seen over Watermead Lake whilst 'Vis-migging' for passerines, 06/10/2020. Despite being such a small subject at a fair distance, & in windy conditions, I was able to get a few shots as it passed through, though not leaving many pixels when cropped. I liked the punch of sun-bathed yellow against the darkening background of threatening sky, so I put together a composite image this small part of its journey. The Clouded Yellow is a migratory species, originating from north A...

Experiences with wonderful wildlife in the stunning scenery of The   Chilterns . Focusing  on   British birds ,   butterflies , ordonates, orchids,   mammals   & more. Led by Nature Guide DAN FORDER WILDLIFE , we run  Corporate Wildlife Photography Activity Days & Guided Wildlife Tours  in the  Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty , including Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire & Oxfordshire, & are based in the North Chiltern Hills & Vale of Aylesbury, South-East England, not far from London. We also offer Wildlife Talks &  Workshops , as well as  species identification &   conservation advice,   environmental consultation & ecological surveys.

Watching my 'trump card' water bird migration spot in the snow paid off with an urban 1st-Winter MEDITERRANEAN GULL . 1st Winter Mediterranean Gull 1st Winter Mediterranean Gull 1st Winter Mediterranean Gull

With ideal weather conditions & an arrival on the coasts I predicted the possibility of an Arctic Tern passing my 'trump card' waterbird migration spot. Sure enough, an urban  ARCTIC TERN came through, & to add the icing to the cake, proceeded to feed as little to 8 metres away.

Stopping off at one of my top spots in the Great Gaddesden area provided JACK SNIPE , WATER RAIL , PINTAIL , GREY PARTRIDGE , & two surprise bonus birds - a 'coastal' CARBO  CORMORANT & a WATER PIPIT ! Water Pipit 'Coastal / Atlantic' carbo Cormorant (left) & 'inland / Continental' sinensis Cormorant (right) Water Rail Drake Pintail (left) with Mallards & Teal