The Tender Trap - Frank Sinatra

With the Thursday night temperature of -4°C equalling that of the coldest so far this Autumn there was little expectation other that an almighty low catch from the Moth Traps. Add to that a huge helping of Gross Incompetence, such as

not even putting the lamp, lamp holder, baffles and rain guard

back in place after the last visit, the chances were lessened even further.

  A little after dawn all were found again covered with a layer of

FROST

so surprise of surprises when 12 Insects of 5 Species were recorded.

 From the single Chestnut (dark) at noon, clockwise we also had

c7 Beaded Chestnut, singles of Large Yellow Underwing and

Yellow-line Quaker plus c2 Red-line Quaker.

We further highlight the

YELLOW-LINE QUAKER

as the best conditioned of the c3 caught this year.

A considered GREAT start to the day, so we sallied forth

with more than a positive attitude to go in search of the pair of

 TEAL

(we only managed to 'click' the male)

that had graced Parley Pond the day before.

An unusual sighting here but nowhere near as unusual as that

which was now in full view!

 A female

 MANDARIN

constitutes only the 7th sighting for our Recording Area
and the first ever for the month of November.

Heading for the Common and checking the Solar Panel Compound Fences,

favoured by so many Birds, we encountered the first

LINNET

in over a month. We hope this is the vanguard of the 'hundreds' 

that usually overwinter with us.

Still at the Irrigation Pond, we continue to keep an eye on the

 male (distant) of this pair of

WIGEON
 

 in the hope that he stays to show us the splendour of full

Winter Plumage.

footage includes a little 'call' just for good luck.

female again.

New arrivals are these c3

MUTE SWAN

 considered to be 2 males along with a young female,

none of which are 'ringed'.

Over at the Gravel Pit even more arrivals, this time a pair of

 GADWALL

 which are hoped will stay for the duration.

Male

Female.

Juvenile MOORHEN
stealing the strategically placed Barley.

This was the point when the Good Luck started to fail us,
not that we hadn't had our share, as along the
Sewerage Works Hedge, the bank of the Moors River and the Heath
there was no more than this resting

SLOW WORM

looking a little on the 'plump. side?

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