Show stopper

Damn what a show tonight! Having a lockup has paid off well, we played tight even though we had to sound check to "4 pack Justice" about 7 times...We got a good reception and had a laugh watchin Big Difference fuck about, although Pete was worried about his guitar bailing! It survived this baptism of fire, sum pics of the above named are included for your enjoyment.

Milling in Sandwell Valley

Some more Butterflies I found today, sadly no new birds for the yearlist, which currently stands at 96. Forshame.

Small Skipper - Thymelicus sylvestris

Small White - Pieris Rapae

Escape!

This here is Aix sponsa, a female Wood Duck.
It's about three quarters the length of an adult mallard, and the species usually resides in woods, swamps and lakes on the east and west coasts of north america. This example here though has been living on the brum canals for a couple of years now. These pics were taken just opposite Sibila's where you can often spot the duck chilling on the jettys.

Because of their attractive plumage (the male is far more colourful) they are popular in private collections in this country, so the chances of this duck being an escape are 99.9% . Feral populations have been temporarily established in Surrey in the past, but they are not considered to be self-sustaining. Due to its native distribution there is a chance that this species can occur as a natural vagrant in western europe, previous records in this country having been in Cornwall and the Scillies.

This female is not ringed, but I have no idea if captive birds are marked. But as I said it has been seen for a couple of years now and is almost definetly an escape. Nonetheless cool to look at so keep your eyes peeled for her.

Wekend Highlights

1.) Witnessing a man consume 6 g's of coke, 20+ pills, and vast amounts of beer and vodka in one night, only to go to the pub with him the next morning.

My first question of the day was "How the fuck are you still alive?"

2.) Killer Vegan all-you-can-eat buffet at some thai place off Leicester Square.

3.) Greasy veggie fry-up somewhere in Clapham. (I like food. A lot.)

4.) Milling around in Brixton till 4 am and not getting mugged let alone approached.

5.) Completing various clandestine activities succesfully, and putting names to faces.

Result.

Today in Hockley

Outside the practice room:

Small Tortoiseshell -Aglais urticae

And inside:

Drummer and Guitarist

Ornithologist by nature, Entomologist by necessity

Being in possession of only average camera equipment, I haven't been able to do much of any Bird photography. I love being out in the field observing, but sadly I just havent got the funds to amass the SLR's and Lenses I would need to get some decent shots. With this in mind I decided to concentrate more on the Insect life on my next birding expedition, and was duly rewarded. Shots here were taken at Upton Warren with my Samsung 7 megapixel camera, they arent brilliant but I am quite happy with them. Its been good fun looking for insects, and then IDing them at home, could be a good alternative when theres not much birds about. Anyhow, enjoy these, feel free to send in any corrections!

Red Admiral -Vanessa atalanta

Comma -Polygonia c-album

Black-tailed Skimmer -Orthetrum cancellatum

Emerald Damselfly -Lestes sponsa

Peacock- Inachis io

Banded Demoiselle -Calopteryx splendens

Ringlet -Ahantopus hyperantus

Southern Hawker -Aeshna cyanea

Shameless Self Promotion

As you might be hearing, I've put up some rough tracks we recorded in the lock up the other day. All hail the mighty cheap-ass four track! Heres some upcoming shows were playing as well.

Species Count at the ER

Its been some time since I last did a species count (of Birds) at Edgbaston Reservoir, I think I did the last one in January. Anyway I counted late in the afternoon, arguably a very poor time to look for birds, but still got a good oversight. Results below:

-Coot

-Mallard (+many ducklings)

-Lesser Black Backed Gull

-Canada Goose

-Stock Pigeon

-Moorhen (+chicks)

-Great Crested Grebe (+chicks)

-House Martin

-Wren

-Wood Pigeon

-Common Tern (breeding?)

-Carrion Crow

-Jackdaw

-Magpie

-Black Headed Gull (making a comeback)

-Swift

-House Sparrow

So thats 18 species in total, rather poor, but considering time of day and extremely high level of water, understandable. I mean Blackbirds, Starlings, Robin, Nuthatches etc are all abundant, I just didnt happen to see any on my way round.

So even despite the fluctuating water levels, the Grebes have managed to breed, much to my relief. For a while it looked like a pair of Little Ringed Plovers might have settled down, but the heavy rain must have scared them off. Surprisingly, three Common Terns have hung around for some time now. Today I saw one feed another which could mean two things: there are two parents and a juvenile present, or they are getting ready to breed.

Might pop down Upton Warren tomorrow, as the year list still only stands at 95....Hope to crack 100 species asap.

Friendly punk needs home...plz

The lease on our house is up at the end of the month and some of us need a new place to live...Been looking all over this town and it seems we have narrowed down our search to Moseley/Kings Heath. Nice place, I hope we can get ourselves somewhere not too bloody expensive, thanx to the ridiculously inflated housing market and assholes buying property to refurbish and the let to some poor schmucks.

Its a frustrating business trying to find a domicile with only 3 weeks left to go. And then theres the whole matter of getting our first deposit back, paying the next one and trying to make out we didnt fuck up the house completely...Maybe Django Reinhardt will cool my temper somewhat.

Leftovers...

Random Pics left on my memorycard...

Somewhere in the East End

On Broad Street

Midlands Sailing Club

Upper deck on the No. 9 Bus

Taken at Haweswater in the Lake District a few weeks ago.

The Oral History of Powerviolence

Cool article I found over at Decibel Mag.
Check it.

http://www.decibelmagazine.com/features/jul2007/powerviolence.aspx