Sunday 30 November 2014

Didja Ever - Elvis Presley

Note to our Dedicated and Valued Readers.
"Didja Ever, Didja Ever get, Didja Ever get
one of those days.
When nothing goes right from morning to night
Didja Ever get one of those days?
Having once already this morning brought this Post to the Publishing Point, a 'button' was pressed but quiet obviously not the right one! The Post disappeared from the screen and even searching Google (the Provider) to find a way to recovering it, all was in vane. P***ed Off and seriously set back, you are advised that this effort is not even a shadow of the original.
With overnight temperatures still remaining kind for the time of year, there continues to be a small trickle of Moths in the traps which on Saturday included a most unexpected
 LESSER YELLOW UNDERWING
the book telling me that the 'flight period' is usually between
July and September.
 Followed by a 'migrant'
SILVER Y
which, it is presumed, may be encountered at any time
the more usual fell to
 MOTTLED UMBER
and
 WINTER MOTH
 (Mottled Umber and Silver Y)
Today was far less productive, but still worth a try, with just singles of
December Moth, Light Brown Apple Moth and Rusty-dot Pearl
the latter 2 being Micros.
Back to Saturday, and little time for aimless wanderings with my walk
being reduced to one circuit of Parley Pond.
It was down to the Usual Suspects to provide the Eye-Candy
which amounted to c2 of the adult
 MOORHEN,
 still finding what they need at the pond, along with one of this years
 
 JUVENILES
 Reaching the bund coincided with the Sheik of RNB
(Royal Naval Barracks) taking off in his
JUMBO JET
the mound provided a perfect perch to secure the first
'full-frontal' of this monster.
 BLACK-HEADED GULL
in good numbers and a single, resident
 GREY HERON
among the Parrot's Feathers were all else, but it was then time to
head for London.
 The crowds had already gathered at the
TWICKENHAM RUGBY STADIUM
 which looked like they were hampering the progress of the
AUSTRALIAN TEAM COACH
(always nice to get a brace of Fosters before they start the game)
 Such difficult going on the Coach their
Fly-Half, Hooker and Scrum-Half
were getting to the Stadium on foot.
 The Crowd was getting larger while inside
ENGLAND 
had decided on a quick
Ring-a-Ring-o'-Roses before the game began and at which time the score stood at
 The Aussies were warming up as we took our seats in what must have been
 POLE POSITION
If the BBC Outside Broadcast Camera was perched there then by
definition it must be good!
 The ROYAL NAVY (who else)
were tasked with laying out the Red Carpet
as the Nations Flags were unfurled.
 ENGLAND
which we 'caption' as no one outside of this country is likely to have
a clue what this nondescript bunch of bunting represents.
 AUSTRALIA
 After a few Pyrotechnics
 the teams lined up for the National Anthems.
 An excellent performance by the Australian Schools Choir was a
highlight for me, singing of their beautiful Country rather that
Bows of Burning Gold and Arrows of Desire
whatever that's suppose to represent.
Best get off the subject of England's lack of World Identity
before I blow a gasket.
 A Line-Out for the Dinks was followed by a foul and a
 PENALTY which gave them the lead, but not for long.
 Plenty of rough (but fair) stuff going on out there

which would likely send lesser mortals scurrying for the ambulance.
 SCRUM?
 Not a bad day either for watching out for any
Visible Migration.
The Twicker's List reached 3 before the close of play.
Herring and Black-headed Gull plus Feral Pigeon.
 That nifty little Warbler
LAURA WRIGHT
knocked out and unrecognisable tune at have time, which sure as hell wasn't
Careful With That Axe Eugene
 The Full Time Score
showed a decent win for England but the
AUSTRALIANS
were magnanimous in defeat making for a fine sporting performance.
Best I get going now to Cock a Snoot at my Aussie Son in Law
and those beautiful half Australian Grand Children.
England, England, England!
My thanks go to Hugh for a Brilliant Day and his generosity,
along with the same to Daryll and Russell for their company,
Guinness and Sausage Rolls. 
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Friday 28 November 2014

Snake Pit - Slash

While the weather has tried to cheer up a little bit over the past couple of days and overnight temperatures stayed above 'zero', there has been precious little to show for it from the Traps. However, having said that, a snoot should not be cocked at a new species for the year so we welcome
WINTER MOTH
to the 2014 List.
Otherwise, things remain fairly quiet except for daily occurrences of
 LITTLE EGRET
only a single for now but we are expecting more?
 REDWING
not numerous but all over the place.
 Fewer in numbers but in good voice
FIELDFARE
which was an addition to the Irrigation Pond List just yesterday.
Yes, sad isn't it!
That was followed by the most welcome sight of no fewer than c7
 BULLFINCH
all males.
Also of interest yesterday was the sighting of a group of Homo Sapians all interested in the Ecology of the property. Goldbeck the German Solar Panel Company are still hell bent on leaving a legacy to wildlife here which continues to include the previously mentioned Chris Sugden. Today he was in company with his brother Rupert, here to carry out a more 'in depth' survey along with 2 people I had not seen for all too long. How many years ago it was since I last clapped eyes on Richard and Beatrice Dopita I don't know, but for sure it was at the Portland Bird Observatory. Staunch members of the Dorset Bat Group (to mention but a few) they were also interested in studying this little known area while erecting a number of Bat Boxes. If nothing else they may prove more Mammal species at PCF, but we also have a couple of other irons in the fire. From my own readings and information they gave me, it seems highly likely that the Bat (s) visiting the Moth Traps earlier in the year were most likely 'Noctule' which will likely be proven in the long run.



Meanwhile, Chris has continued planting what must
now amount to 'thousands' of hedgerow shrubs, in addition
to which he brought a new word to my vocabulary,
HIBERNACULA
from the Latin "tent for winter quarters".
Of the Reptile variety, Chris is seen here digging the first sod then
continued to excavate a depression into which was placed rock rubble.
The mound was then covered with top soil and crowned with turf
leaving small entrances for what will most likely be overwintering Snakes.
The completed
SNAKE PIT
and while on the subject of such things, it was just an instinct that
drove me to take a look under a redundant traffic come at the edge
of one of the grassy areas at the southern end of the farm.
There was found a
FIELD VOLES NEST
and as the creatures were seen to be it residence the cone was
quickly replace allowing then to enjoy their winter's sleep in peace.
 
Also on yesterday's sortie, replenishing the Pond and Bird Table
these c2
PIED WAGTAIL
appeared to be fighting to the death - serious stuff.
They too were left to their Gladiatorial pursuits.
PUFFBALL
was all else on the agenda so it was back to base to continue the Memoirs.
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