Wednesday 21 August 2013

On the Wings of Love - Jeffrey Osborne

Top of today's agenda is rectifying a couple of errors on yesterday's post, both referring to Moth identification. Mistakenly thought to be a Rosy Rustic this is in fact the far less common
SIX-STRIPED RUSTIC*
an Insect I have never encountered before and by definition an 
addition to the Property List.
More of an avoidable mistake than mis-identification this
DINGY FOOTMAN
was originally captioned Buff Footman.
Thanks again to 'Bomber'
Enough 'humble pie' for a single sitting, so ever onward to
this mornings catch. Unfortunately, not a single Moth consigned to the
'inspection chamber' (plastic pot) but of other interest there was
another 'form' of the diverse
HARLEQUIN LADYBIRD,
a rather nifty and obliging MICRO MOTH,
SMALL CRANE FLY,
BLACK WING LONG-HORN SEDGE CADISFLY
a firm favourite with 'fly-fishermen' I am told and a
COMMON CRANE FLY
also known as Daddy Long-legs.
My thanks go to John Gifford for help sorting some of these Insect.
Another 'FULL' day which, once again, will appear in 2 Parts.
Not having been to the west end of the farm since the last time, it was thought a great day to do just that. Always plenty to see along the course of the River Stour, through the arable quarter and along a tapestry of hedgerows so many images were taken it was thought best to make them a 'game of two halves'. Today the title could easily be 'Things That Fly', while tomorrow...... yes, you've got it!
One of the many Aircraft that zoom in and out of
Bournemouth International Airport each day.
Things started quietly enough as just one or two Sedge and Reed Warblers were heard, but Cetti's Warbler was conspicuous by its silence. All the common and expected Corvids Raven, Rook, Crow, Jackdaw, Magpie and Jay were seen in fairly quick succession, while unexpected and early in the wander the Bird of the Day appeared, in fact 2 both female and
male BULLFINCH
The first I have seen here in many a visit.
Once this area, not just the farm, was given over to fruit production
and fruit trees and Bullfinches just don't fit in the same sentence
sad to say. It is hoped this is part of a recovery.
This was, for once, a case of 'seeing it before it saw me'!
COMMON BUZZARD
which had been perching on the wooden fence, alighted
 and started scrabbling around in the long grass.
Thinking it might have 'prey', the camera was kept clicking.
 Sure enough, it soon saw me and
 took to the Wing and
 quickly disappearing.
PIED WAGTAIL
like most others here seem to have had a great breeding season.
So what the hell does the front elevation of
PARLEY MANOR
have to do with any 'wings' let alone those of Love?
FA really, except to give an idea as to where the House Martins nest at the back of the house. Unlike the Swallows they have all vacated, so yes, these nests are empty. There, didn't I say if you stick around I'd have something interesting to show you - Yaawwwnnnn!
I just cannot help myself taking photographs of the
ROBIN
This youngster was a confiding little soul.
and talking of 'youngsters' let me introduce you to
'MOUSEY'
The Game Keeper.
He knows all about wings and took pride in showing me some
of his PHEASANTS reared this year.
Don't quite know how many pairs of
KESTREL
there are on the property, but there are at least c2 in the region
of the Farm House. It is rare not to be able to see one 'hovering'
close by and this male is at one of the favoured perches.
Finally, and returning via the Golf Course this
COMMON DARTER
(bit better photo than the last)
was favouring CLOVER.
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