Breakfast at Tiffany's - Deep Blue Something

followed by dinner at the Wickham's!

Before we go any further, there is an apology for being more than a little remiss with our editing as these first few images should have been published long ago. An invitation to the Hansel and Gretel 'house in the woods' for a traditional Farmhouse Sunday Roast Dinner is never refused, and it is now 2 Sundays past since visiting Janet's Mum and Dad.

The vista that opens before you as you drive up the pot-hole filled driveway,
which keeps the riff-raff  out  (except for me) is a joy to behold,
but on closer inspection

 the huge garden is simply a dream particularly

 the fine range and display of

 ACERS

along with magnificent

'BLACK' TULIPS

Thank you John and Joyce for you own special brand of hospitallity,

plus a HUGE Thank You for the GARDEN PEAS!

While all about me people have been asking, have you seen the 

MALLARD

family yet? I had not until first thing yesterday morning as they plodded 

around the perimeter of Hugh's Tennis Court.

and while this sort of thing happened to me regularly and often
when I was at sea, we didn't expect a Moth Trap to get strafed.

All to report from within was just one addition to the

Year List

CHINESE CHARACTER

a single example of these splendid

and rather large

 

GIANT WATER BEETLE

plus a single

RED ANT

MAGPIE
surveying Bournemouth International Airport.

GOLDFINCH
collecting nesting material.

 COMMON STORKSBILL

 along with

GROUND IVY
are now blooming everywhere.

 Across the Moors River, Farmer Greg has released his
CHAROLAIS CATTLE
from their Winter Quarters into open pasture.
Then onward to the Irrigation Pond

A most welcome visitor there yesterday,
and the first 'known' record for that site.

COMMON SANDPIPER

with a short video clip of the same Wader.

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL

gracing the Gravel Pit.

Video of Same.

and now that we have conclusively proved breeding, we can relax in the
knowledge that we won't fall foul of the
Trade's Description Act !

 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER
In answer to the number of readers who have enquired as to the
progress of the Lapwing,

 again with no parent birds in attendance the oportunity was taken
to re-view the

 nest site close to the bridleway. Since that first and only visit, it appeared
that a 'fifth' egg had been laid, c2 Chicks were huddled close by, another
youngster was close to entering the world (top left) while another
(bottom) had pecked a small hole in its shell.
Time to beat a retreat and visit the Gravel Pit.

 SHELDUCK
were all that were on offer, but a 'great find' here any day.

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