It was rather like awakening on another Planet yesterday,
as gone were both wind and rain, while much needed cloud cover
remained blocking out the now ‘half Moon’ and the gauge showed +15°C.
Surely good conditions for a decent haul of Moths, but that was not to
be!
As far as new additions to the Year List were concerned
there was but a single
DINGY FOOTMAN
but they all count!
Additionally, there was also a
DARK BUSH CRICKET
well recieved as we do love these oddities outside of the Moths!
This rather pristine specimen of
CLAY
(there isn't a Concrete Moth)
(there isn't a Concrete Moth)
was also thought worthy of inclusion despite it having appeared before.
However, there was just a modicum of action before tending the traps
as the ‘yaffling’ of an excitable
Green Woodpecker
met the ear and seen flying well above the tops of the trees.
Unusual behaviour to say the least but considered as
Kestrel Evasive Action
as one of its nippers, thought to be 'second generation,
was feeding on the tennis court.
En-route to the Wid World lorries were, as usual, 3 deep awaiting thier
cargo of recycled 'biomass fuel' to be transported to Wales for power generation
and always good to see an Eddie Stobbart particularly if the ladies name is new to us.
The driver informed me that this is the only vehicle in the whole fleet where the
name is spelt incorrectly, which for the life of me cannot be seen, but traffic
build up precluded any further information.
Also on the lane
ROSE of SHARON
Hypericum calycinum
is in bloom and sharply contrasting with the nearby
BUDDLEIA
but no Butterflies!
Over the past few days we have also been observing what might be considered a mini
FOXGLOVE
at the gateway to the Heath,
which has now reached full bloom at only 8 inches tall with the norm being
between 2 to 3 feet or more.
Thinking this might be of a seperate species my far more learned friend
John Gifford
was consulted who suggests in its early days may have been browsed by a mammal
or other. He has also confirmed ID's on a number of other additions to this post for which
we heartily thank him!
NEVER TOO OLD TO ASK AND LEARN!
Otherwise, it was left to a
MEADOW PIPIT
there to provide the rest of the action looking every bit as if
causing havoc among the Grasshopper population
but as we know
The Hungry Must Be Fed!
Overlooked for a number of weeks now, without reason, we also paid a
brief visit to the
Sewerage Works
where was found probably the first
DUNNOCK
juvenile preening
seen since that last call?
and was also good indication that once again the
BULLFINCH
(male)
(female)
(juvenile)
and again
(male)
(female)
and
(juvenile)
and finally to the
Solar Panel Compound
where the juvenile
LAPWING's
were cooperating far more obligingly than our last visit
and can, for those of keen ear be heard 'calling'.
IT'S ALWAYS A WONDERMENT, AS YOU SWING INTO THE HAMMOCK, TO THINK WHAT MIGHT SHOW UP TOMORROW!
HERE'S HOPING!
