Wednesday 13 May 2020

Build - The Housemartins

Temperatures mainly are keeping the Moths from the Traps
but if just one or 2 'firsts for the year' grace them then the frustration is kept at bay.
 Both
 SCALLOPED HOOK-TIP
 along with a
 contortionist
 YELLOW BELLE
were very welcome sites before heading off in pursuit of more
Wild Things (The Troggs)
At the Irrigation Pond there was no more that what looked every bit like a forlorn
COOT
with no partner and no family while round at the
Gravel Pit
there was at least a bit of action.
 While we have seen no more than a single pulse of about 3 to 4 dozen
 HOUSE MARTIN
 across the southern reaches of the 
Recording Area
 none of them have stopped to best at the traditional sites,
mainly the Manor House.
These birds are surely those from the colony in the
Bournemouth International Airport Industrial Estate
which holds an estimated colony of 30+ pairs.
 On the Heath the pair of
 RED=LEGGED PARTRIDGE
 broke cover after an absence of about 6 to 8 weeks
bringing a personal delight for me!
There was another (or one of the same)
 CUCKOO
along with what were considered to be 2 (none clicked) seperate Hobby's,
and at long last the
 ASPENS
showing signs of foliage.
BEST there was left until LAST as we forced ourself through
Bramble and the like to see if another of our speciality Moths had emerged yet?
There, buzzing over the single
 RHODODENDRON
was an equally singular
 BROAD-BORDERED BEE HAWK MOTH
 Only one, but one is enough and
oh could we have videoed this extremely fast flier!
Returning to Slight Return II
we found a
 WREN
 had managed to get itself locked inside.
 As lightening struck for a second time
 we also found a nest in one of the horses food containers
 and by just lifting the corner of the canvas cover we were able to
snap the usual 'large clutch' of eggs within.