Ode to a Lark

but in this instance not Percy Bysshe Shelley's Skylark
Wednesday, and the temperature had fallen even further

than in previous days to a frosty -2°C. Still only the single

Moth Trap

running from where there were Moths but only of the

Hebrew Character and Common Quaker type.

However, there was a small fillip early on as a skein of

EGYPTIAN GEESE

(if c2 qualify as a skein) landed briefly on what is still the River Stour floodplain but where 

nevertheless first in the log and from there on it

turned into a warm, clear and Spring-like day.

Under the umbrella of 'excercise' it was then off to the Common and then Heath, in that order, 

where the former produced nothing new but there was an ambitious 

Plane B

 As far as the Moths are concerned there are a number of diurnal fliers one of which is the magnificent

Emperor Moth

which is still a couple of weeks away from emerging, but given the perfect conditions it was

certainly worth a try at attracting one - or more.

The technique includes setting this little fella, a

 PHEROMONE CAPSUAL

among the not yet flowering

HEATHER

and

REINDEER LICHEN

this gives off the purfume of the female Insect and in the past has proved

most successful. We hope to bring you the 'mind-blowing' images soon.

Otherwise, Bird numbers seemed to have increased quiet dramaticall but while of the

Same Old - Same Old

variety it was lovely to bathe in the now warm sunshine listening to and viewing all that came our way.

 CHIFFCHAFF

singing

male

CHAFFINCH

with Chiffchaff on 'backing vocals'

Another, the second of the season,

LAMB

on the wrong side of the fence while it was almost certain this

COMMON BUZZARD

was looking down and licking its lips!

While bemoaning the lack of

VIRGINS

in our neck of the woods on a previous post, like the proverbial No-9 bus 

you wait and wait then another 3 turn up.

While on the subject and to clear aviation out of the way we spotted this

BRITSH AIRWAYS JET

which landed soon after, followed by 2 more bringing the the total on the stand to 14.

Had it not been for this occurrence we may have missed the c4

GREYLAG GEESE

altogether they certainly being a 'skien'!

SALLOWS

now all in full blossom are crying out for a bagful of Moths.

After a couple more commoners the Post ends on something of a high note, with firstly more

STONECHAT

and

MEADOW PIPIT

Followed by a wonderfully welcome flurry of

(rather like gathering nesting material than feeding)

 half a dozen

WOODLARK

with additional images from the archive to emphasis the point!