We met round the Harbins Farmhouse dinner table, a couple of Sunday's ago, on the occasion of Gramp's 84th birthday, and it would be true to say that there was something of an instant mutual attraction. Bee Keeper, Upholsterer and now a part of this extended family Chloé (getting to be a bit of a dab-hand at this accented é business!) had been forewarned about my penchant with Moths particularly and all other Insects beside, and appeared to be champing at the bit to get a look at a Moth Trap. A beautifully sunny pre-dinner stroll down to the garden pond and her wish was my command, and mightily impress she asked if she could accompany me one morning.
We are now back to the present and that's just what she did, not only showing extreme enthusiasm but also working as a Lucky Charm, producing the following Firsts for the Year on here inaugural visit.
a pristine
PINK-BARRED SALLOW
MALLOW
it's not intended to rhyme, and
another Autumnal special
BEADED CHESTNUT
and a migratory
GEM
A fantastic start to the day was extended by an appointment to meet again next week for more (just goes to show what excitement does for you, may even remember to to get a photo next time) but time was pressing as there was another meeting with a family member. For long enough now Hugh and I have been discussing the advantages and prospects of 'scraping' the southern shore of the Gravel Pit but with a vibrant business to run the timing had been put on hold. No problems with Plant here as there are more tractors, diggers and bulldozers than in the collective backyards of Messrs Balfour and Beatty but skilled, certified operators are a little like rocking horse droppings! Enter the next family members Loz, partner of the lady above and his Dad Martin, who between them could probably re-build the Great Wall of Chine in a couple of weeks, so 'small beer' a Wader Scrape. By the time I got up there, having stopped at one or 2 locations en-route, Martin had already put in a full shift but my tally had included
LITTLE OWL
and
CETTI'S WARBLER
both going vocally bonkers close to the River Stour post dawn,
and a
COMMON SNIPE
square in the middle of the Heather on the Heath.
Plan had been to to take Before and After photographs but with work
in progress we did what we could.
Looking North
and South
the starting point the
North East Corner
In addition, this is the self-made
Strange Rover Track
leading to a small subsidiary pond close to the Irrigation Pond.
Even perched as high as the driver's seat the water can hardly be seen,
so a little clearance work here will be undertaken while the digger id on the ground.
My personal prediction for this spot has always been
but not so far anywhere in our Recording Area!
We will bring you the Finished Article in days to come, and THANKS for tuning in!
Entry
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