The Bagsy Blog: It's Been A Longtime Coming

Saturday, 28 February 2015

It's Been A Longtime Coming - Beverley Knight

OK, we did have Winter Moth in January but they were net caught not like those found at the Moth Trap on Thursday morning. The temperature at 22:00 the night before, as I hit the hammock, was a balmy 10°C so expectations were high for what might be called the realistic inaugural 2015 capture. Returning at 06:30 a single Insect was clinging to the outside of the trap which was not only the 'first' but also 'new' for Parley Court Farm a

PALE BRINDLED BEAUTY
next up, also on the exterior, was recognisable as the 199th species
for the property caught in 2014 a

OAK BEAUTY
while on the lawn, and even more familiar, was an example of
the 'first' Species ever take here an

ANGLE SHADES
looking a little on the 'dark' side.

The rest of that day was a washout with continuous moderate to heavy rain, aided and abetted by a fairly brisk breeze. Back to the memoirs! Otherwise, when weather conditions allowed it was back to patrolling The Patch in the relentless search for more excitement. The pair of Gadwall and c4 Coot remain on Parley Pond where they have now been joined by a squadron of about 50

BLACK-HEADED GULL
this one almost back in summer plumage and these 2 which feature a

'second winter' (fore) and a 'winter plumage' adult.

a vocal
BLUE TIT
heralded my arrival at the Merritown Heath Gate but was soon dismissed
for what looked like a far more interesting sight flying along the course
of the Moors River to the south east. It proved to be a male

GOOSANDER

an addition to the Parley Court Bird List.

A 'close cousin' the Red-breasted Merganser, considered the fastest flying Duck on the British Bird List (and maybe the World), and as such it would be difficult for me to capture an image even if one were stood still right before me! Therefore we have re-visited the archive for these 2 images by way of illustration. Our bird didn't stop, but considered

It's Been A Longtime Coming - (alternative title) - Beverley Knight

SOUL is a genre I have never immersed myself in, and one that is considered to have been on a slippery downward slope ever since its inception. I have a none too complimentary description that seems to neatly fit most of the modern day female Soul Singers at least, who are collectively referred to by myself as 'Squealing Bints'! However, like all things in life there are exceptions to the rule. Yes, the correct title of this beautiful song is

A Change is Gonna' Come from the pen of the 'LEGENDARY' Sam Cooke,

but that wouldn't quite have fitted in with the sighting of the Goosander. Click both LINKS for the comparison, and if Ms Knight don't do it for you, then you might as well Roll Away the Stone!

At the north end of the property a couple of
Sand Traps
have been laid, with first of all an unwanted guest
One Man and his Dog, but having little idea of such
things one is nominated Fox?