A Prickly Encounter

 It was while traipsing across the Heath at dusk, after yet another hard day at the office, that a movement caught the eye. We have been keeping a look out for returning Nightjar’s but no, this was far more rotund and nipping along at a decent pace. Closer inspection showed it to be what was thought to be a young

HEDGEHOG

but in the fast fading light we were only able to click half a decent Snap while the Video function didn't seem to want to opperate at all. To make matters worse it then rolled itself into

a tight ball at our approach. This being the first ever encounter of a 'live' animal across the Recording Area we did not want the moment to be missed so consigned it to the ever-ready stout box, always kept in the boot, and gave it food and shelter on our return to base. We will end the Post with the sequel

Again little to show for the Burning of the Midnight Lamps just 13 Macro Moths of 8 Species and all staples with the best being a brace of

POPLAR HAWK-MOTH
this tiny

EARTHWORM

an unidentified
LARVAE

along with one of the presumed
Long Horned Moths
body size little more than a grain of rice - we don't do Micros!

Although we are now well past the mid-point of the season there are still

no signs of 'green', not even a bud, on the
ASPENS

which doesn't seem to be bothering this

GREY SQUIRRELL
munching away

before indulging in a bit of

sprucing up

between nibbles

followed up by a brief interlude with our first

PAINTED LADY
BUTTERFLY

maybe gaining susternance from the

GREEN ALKANET
While still in attendance on the Moors River there is still no indication of the

EGYPTIAN GEESE

or

GREYLAG GEESE

coming to terms with procreation and as promised we end with the full bifta of the

HEDGEHOG

showing reluctance to get going in the first instance

but eventually starting to uncoil and

surveying the
Lie of the Land.

Getting into gear it seemed to start

Looking for Food

and even though 'well protected' in itself

we were not about to leave it until it found cover!
WHAT a MOMENT!