Smooth - Carlos Santana

 Man it's a hot one
Like seven inches from the midday sun

SONG THRUSH

one of c8 feeding on the lawn early morning.

Another sweltering day and again it was thought time for yet another move of the Moth Trap. This time it was placed squarely between

2 ASH TREES
(with the Hay Trailer serving to hold a 'while sheet' hoping to attract more Insects)

and Janet's Horse Paddock and Stables.
 Strange then that the first Moth encountered this morning is one
that favours Oak Trees, but the move seems to have worked.

 SCARCE SLIVER-LINES

 the first I've ever clapped eyes on.

What a Beauty!

DINGY SHEARS

BEAUTIFUL HOOK-TIP

THE RUSTIC

Is it Common White Wave - we'll have to wait and see!

"I've come to read your meter"!
Can only imagine the Central Electricity Generating Board
are doing surveys/line checks.

One of the Convolvulus or Bindweed family.

A couple of stragglers from the week-end's Air Display by the RED ARROWS. The epicentre of this part of the display, the BOMB BURST was directly above the Farm House.

Sonic Bird - Hawkwind

Another sweltering hot day, so a good one for finding that elusive waft of cool breeze and staying there, which is more or less what I did. Despite the lethargy there were a couple of interesting things to report starting with the Moth Trap which produced 2 new species* for the Property List.

 GREEN PUG

 COMMON EMERALD

 TAWNY BARRED-ANGLE

 KENT BLACK ARCHES*

In the same division

SHORT-CLOAKED MOTH*
 

 The BBQ was all but ready when Janet spotted this 'raptor'

 perched on the Bird Table. No more than 10 feet away,

 you'd be forgiven for thinking an unusual perch for a

 SPARROWHAWK

but given the feeders are topped up with continuous regularity and attract dozens of small birds it makes a fine Feeding Station for this species as well. Also not the norm it remained there while the camera was recovered from the lounge before plunging into the depths of the bush where there were still a number of House Sparrows and Goldfinches. It flew off a full 5 minutes later 'empty talloned'.

Honey - Bobby Goldsbroro

With reference to yesterday's Post some information from a Regular Reader.

Red Arrows 

While the fine weather continues to attract lots of Insects to the 'trap', it doesn't inspire me to walk too far so when the nights catch had been sorted, photographed and released unharmed it was decided to take a short drive through the local countryside.

 COMMON EMERALD

 BRIMSTONE MOTH

 SWALLOW-TAILED MOTH

 GREY DAGGER

 SYCAMORE

LIGHT EMERALD

Burying Beetle (Nicrophorus investigator)

A rather novel Bug in the trap and one never encountered before. Wiki tells me they are scavengers, living off and breeding in rotting carcasses. Their body pattern is striking but nothing compared to an acute sense of smell which is reputed to allow food location up to two miles away!

On the drive, which was of little more than 2 hours duration,

an unlikely candidate for the Day List was

HONEY BUZZARD

which although high flying did put in

2 appearances before flying purposefully to the west.

 

En-route I met NICK URCH a mate not seen for all too long.

Time for a bit of a natter while recording Chiffchaff, Yellow Hammer,
Jay, c2 Shelduck, and ditto Sparrowhawk among others.
Good to see you Nick!

Back at Parley and another 'first' for me on the property.

While it is certain COOT have bred here historically

this is the first time I've ever caught up with the young.

The RED ARROWS are still around

allowing a couple of 'quick reaction' photos.

While this Blog has never been a vehicle for advertising or for that matter supporting any cause, no matter how dear to the heart, I consider this to be a serious exception. Through my friend John Gifford I have been able to follow the progress of the WWT and do what little I can. Most are pushed during these times of austerity, but when we are down to just 100 pairs of Breeding Human Beings maybe that also will be too late. All that is asked is you simply watch the 'full length' of this video - then decide!

Save a Spoon-billed Sandpiper 

Finally, another 'house guest' arrived in the shape of a

COMMA BUTTERFLY

which was left for a short period to relax, but only allowed a
folded wings pose.

Little Arrows - Leapy Lee

My turn for the early morning chores yesterday, so once the dogs and chickens were let out, then fed and the nut and seed feeders filled it was time to see what there was in the way of Moths. Returning to my bedroom, this is the sight that met my gaze.

THE RED ARROWS
landing at Bournemouth International Airport,
from where there has been such activity all over the week-end.

BUFF ARCHES
thought to be a better image than the previous one.

SINGLE-DOTTED WAVE

 SMALL BLOOD-VEIN

 BLUE-BORDERED CARPET

 BORDERED PUG

GRASS EMERALD