Blood on the Rooftops - Genesis

Fog has been the predominant feature of early mornings over the
past couple of days, but seems not to have detracted from
Moth returns. Having said that,

this was the sky-scape at 08:00 yesterday and although having once been a
professional 'weather gatherer' for the Meteorological Office back in my Oil Rig days,
cannot put a name to this cloud formation. Should have nicked that cloud
description book before retirement!

 A good start to the Trap rounds was a

First for the Year

 DARK CHESTNUT

followed by something of a surprise in the shape of a 'late'

BLOOD-VEIN
Blood on the Rooftops 

 We say 'late' as most authorities note this Insect as 'double -brooded' and

'on the wing' from late May to early July and again during August and September.

However, through investigations it was found that others also suggest a

'third generation' as late as October, that being the case in point.

 WHITE-POINT

 was also thought to be on the border-line while

 GREEN-BRINDLED CRESCENT

 was completely expect and could show again well into next month.

 All else in attendance was a specimen of

PANTILIUS TUNICATAS

With Wildfowl and mostly all else nonexistent at the Irrigation Pond

it was left to this pair of nervous

 EGYPTIAN GEESE

at the Gravel Pit to make up the deficit. While there have been a couple

of sightings of 2 birds in flight in recent days, these are the first to be seen grounded this Autumn.

However, even at great distance they seemed little impressed with the intrusion

starting their infernal racket and beating a retreat

before flying off.

Things did improve quiet dramatically when we reached the Heath

where we were met at the gate by the juvenile

 BELTED GALLOWAY

before quickly picking up on something of a 'showy'

 DARTFORD WARBLER

There is no record of when the last of these were seen but it is

certainly weeks rather than days. It is also rather depressing to report that

neither have they enjoyed much of a year here across the board?

 From the droppings it looks rather like it has been a lean time for

the local FOX as well, but then to end our wander a most unexpected

SMOOTH SNAKE

which we have never recorded this late in a year before.

Whether this is usual or not isn't known but we would have thought

they would all have sought a hibernacula by now?

Back at Slight Return II and there was yet another unexpected visitor,

not an unusual sight here but for the very first time on the Tennis Court

COMMON BUZZARD

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