If there is one luxury that will be
missed when I eventually leave here, to take up residence in a
Mongolian Yurt in a waterlogged field somewhere near Loughborough, it
will be the 'open fire'! Keeping those winter chills at bay, the only
down-side is having to stoke it every-so-often which last evening Janet
was doing admirably. About to place another log on the remaining hot
embers she called out "Bagsy, Moth" - I thought Manchester City had
scored again. Never far from a specimen pot it was soon captured,
photographed and putatively identified.
Most certainly one of the 'Snout' family (no other has a beak like that),
with reference to the Field Guide the 2 larger members of the group
were quickly eliminated as where the 3 tiny ones.
That
just left the 3 medium size ones, Beautiful Snout, Buttoned Snout and
Bloxworth Snout. The latter, which takes its name from a nearby Dorset
village, was first found there in 1884 so was thought to be the most
likely candidate on balance of probabilities alone. However, the dark
markings on the fore-wings were causing some consternation, so I needed
outside help. Early this morning it was confirmed to be a 'worn' example
of
BUTTONED SNOUT
A locally fairly common species in the south-east of England, it was formerly
more widespread. Adults of
this single-brooded
species can be found in woodland fringes, hedgerows and similar places which fly between August and October. They then hibernate taking to the wing again between late
April and early June. The caterpillar feeds on Hops (Humulus lupulus)
in
June and July causing Hugh and I to scratch our heads as to where we
have seen that plant on the property. If indeed it exists there is a
likelihood that this 'scarce' creature could, or maybe has, bred on the
farm? Now that would be quite something!
A
beautifully sunny, still and warm day from the start any location would
fit the bill for a bit of comfortable 'birding', but with the Avon
Causeway still under flood water
LONGHAM LAKE
would fit the bill.
'Cast A Giant Shadow'
(Kirk Douglas and Senta Berger)
There haven't been many of those (shadows that is) here lately,
nor have we seen the lake so serene for a good while.
Immediately noticeable were the songs of who knows how many
REED BUNTING
maybe as many as a dozen around the full 'Figure of 8'
perimeter of the 2 lakes.
The
BLACK-NECKED GREBE
is still in attendance
while only an occasional visitor here a single
PINTAIL
was seen today.
Also 'showing', the first I have clapped eyes on at the lakes, a
WATER RAIL
was one of at least c3 individuals the others 'heard' only.
COMMON GULL
is also not as frequent as the name might suggest, while
COMMON SNIPE
c5 seem to have been absent for months.
In 2 distant trees a flock of about 20
FIELDFARE
were mustered, with much better images planned for a future Post,
as MUTE SWANs (mostly juvenile), CANADA GEESE, MALLARD,
LITTLE EGRET and SHELDUCK sort sanctuary on a small island
in the flooded meadows.
LITTLE EGRET
did get a little nearer before my departure but soon beat a retreat.
Nothing
of a spectacular nature here today, but we were out and about in
splendid weather conditions and along with those noted above Nuthatch,
Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jackdaws (aplenty), Cetti's Warbler,
Long-tailed Tit, Meadow Pipit, Grey Heron, Tufted Duck, Wigeon, Pochard,
Little and Great Crested Grebe were also seen. Let's hope the fine
weather lasts all week.
Finally, back at Harbins, the OWL BOX is ready for positioning.
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