Wino Wendys Wildlife World : Bullfinches and more from Cranford Park

Every birder I know has a 'bogey' bird - it might be one they have not yet seen or one they cannot get a photo of - mine is the dumpy and rotund Bullfinch

I have seen them before but I can count my sightings on one hand and I only have two very bad record photos - so you can imagine my shock and happiness at not only finding them at Cranford Park but also accidentally finding their nest site

I've been watching this pair now since 21st May and it looks as if they've already fledged their first brood and are now working on hatching a second brood as I've observed over the last three days that they have been adding more twiggy material to the nest

I havent actually seen the nest and I wouldnt dream of even thinking about poking around in the evergreen shrub - but I may take a peek in winter when I know they will have definitely finished raising their young

As I mentioned in my last blog post trying to photograph them is hard work - but today I struck lucky

I was at the park early as that seems to be when they are most active and by sitting completly still on the bench under the huge Yew the birds eventually came to me

First was the female who was picking at some leaves just 12' away

The male decided to fly behind me and so the majority of my photos were then taken with him in heavy shade and didnt come out quite as well

But he did eventually move into the light and I managed another poor photo but at least one that shows his glorious rosy chest

I will check the site again on my next days off work

The resident churchyard Robins have four new fledglings that were scattered over the back of the area - they were all very noisy and squeaking for food from the parents

Somewhere at the front of the churchyard there's a Blackbird nest and both adults were acively taking food in for their youngsters

I didnt see too many butterflies this morning - it was a little cool and windy for them - but one tatty Comma did settle briefly for a photo

There were plenty of Thick-legged Flower Beetles (Oedemera nobilis) around - only the males have the swollen thighs

and just like Friday there were lots of Yellow and Black Longhorn Beetles to be seen

I didnt see any Harlequin ladybirds today but did find my first 14-spot and Orange ladybirds of the season

14-spot ladybird

Orange ladybird

I also spotted some Red-legged Shieldbugs by the M4 wall - the only place at Cranford Park that I have ever seen them - these little critters are only found on certain trees like oak or alder or hazel though they can be found on apple and cherry trees as well