Strange Brew - Cream

"kill what's inside of you"

 What would do the exact opposite was stepping outside first thing to the strains of a

 WILLOW WARBLER

 not at all a Garden Bird here although not uncommon

which is poles apart from what came next!

There is a relatively high 'bund' that runs down the western edge of the garden

atop which, for a number of years, a Moth Trap has been placed

in an effort to catch any passing migrants. There have been a few but none of the 

magnitude of the maybe considered 'rarity' that is

 LIGHT CRIMSON UNDERWING

which it would seem has already or is still colonising 

Mainland Europe

 Our turn now it would seem with some authorities already conviced

 that it is now breeding in our neck of the woods.

Our experiences might suggest the same as last year we caught one

in a quite different location and habitat and this one knocking on our own front door!

It started off strangly as we witnessed what was considered the early arrival of the first

 LITTLE GREBE

on the Irrigation Pond, late February, were eventually considered a pair made up the sum total

for the year that far which is unsual.

It was a full fortnight later when the next showed on the

Gravel Pit

where only one other bird joined it some days later.

That was also the sum total for the site which has always supported c2 pair

while in 2018 there were c3! 

Considering we observe both of these watercourses on a daily basis,

and with some enthusiasm, it was as late as

 the 14th of July that we saw this tiny head appear from between the 

wing feathers of a parent bird.

 During that run-up we had noted no signs of nest building, warding off other birds,

which is usual, no signs of pre-copulation displaying or the act itself

and had quiet frankly given up the ghost!

The following day there was no sign of the chick or one of the parent birds,

but again common place as they can be seriously sectretive, it has still not been seen

to the date of this post!

However, on the

 19/07/2020

this was the picture with perfectly viewable nest holding a single egg

(the clutch size is usually c4) but was not visible the following day.

That too is not surprising as the parents do cover the eggs with pond weed

during any absences which might have been the case as next they were both seen constructing

  another nest altogether!

Stamping down weed to make for a firmer platform.

If that were not enough (and we hear sighings from some that it is)

 the following day, to which this Post relates (Wednesday),

one parent bird returned to the original nest, presumably with egg/eggs, 

and appearing to be incubating,

tidying the nest which they often do

 and presumed

Egg Turning

which is also part of the ritual.

Strange Brew Indeed!

WE NOW PROMISE "NO MORE GREBE IMAGES / CLIPS

UNTIL THE NEXT LOT"!

A couple more specimens, to lighten things up a touch, from last night's catch

PURPLE THORN

LARGE GREEN EMERALD

yet again

PINE HAWK-MOTH

SCLLOPED OAK 
and

CLAY