Lost In France - Bonnie Tyler

It was, say it myself I shouldn't, a stroke of genius to confine my day to wandering on and not too far from Hugh and Janet's property. Bright and sunny for the best part, the birds were already in good voice before springing out of bed at 06:00. With vocal

 BLACK REDSTART

 and NUTHATCH

first and second on the day list it was worth keeping a count.

 HUMMING-BIRD HAWK-MOTH

was already busy on the herbacious borders while the first

 COLLERED DOVE

was the start of the most numerous species of the day

save for migrating Swallows.

House Martin climbed well into double figures, but there was only

 a single STONECHAT recorded.

 PIED FLYCATCHER,

reach a total of 3 while along with even more

 BLACK REDSTART

both were heard 'singing' and 'calling'.

 BLACKBIRD

remained as a 'single sighting' but

 CARRION CROW

 and CHAFFINCH were seen in the dozens.

 Only one COMMON BUZZARD,

 outnumbered by c3 distinctly different

GRASSHOPPER WARBLERS

 and lots of HOUSE SPARROWS

There were also quite a few CHIFFCHAFF,

 Willow Warbler

 and MEADOW BROWNS

 and still the BLACK REDSTARTS

continued to sing, pity we couldn't get closer.

 Another 'closeish encounter' with a

PIED FLYCATCHER

 SWEET CHESTNUT

 Singles of KESTREL,

 MAGPIE,

 SERIN,

 SPOTTED FLYCATCHER,

 TREE SPARROW

 and TURTLE DOVE

almost brought to and end a most exciting spell of 'birding'

but there was to be one last surprise.

A lone WHITE STORK heading south.

Oh, maybe I should have mentioned it before, but I doubt you would have got quite so excited as we are in fact on Hugh and Janet's property in the South of France. Much more of this "manana" as they say not far from here!

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Pretties For You - Alice Cooper

We have to contend ourselves today with Moth photos there having been little else on the agenda except for continuous rain. By and large these Insects seem to have been a little thin on the ground in recent days, however this morning there was a definite upward trend in numbers, another to add to the Property List along with several other Pretty Things, just for you! In view of the afore-mention we also decided on an 'Early Post'. Bet the Pine Bunting shows up now!

DUSKY THORN*

an Insect I have never clapped eyes on before was the 'addition'.

VESTAL

was found in 2 distinct hues, this pale, almost white, individual

 and another all over 'pink'

 This is the same Insect showing much vividly the 'pink'.
 It was interesting to receive the opinion of my Learned Friend.
he replies:-

To the Vestals, they are stunning! It is generally considered that the degree of pink colouration depends on where the larvae have developed, the warmer the temperature the pinker the resultant moth. Hence, very pink Vestals are presumed to be primary immigrants which have come from southern Europe, the brown looking ones are probably home bred. As we've had quite a warm summer this theory could get a bit muddied and locally bred moths could indeed look quite pink. Your moth is so pink I think they've come from somewhere near the bloody Equator! You are correct about the antennae, male moths have feathered antennae to enable them to detect the pheromones released by the females. This is how moths and butterflies find each other for a bit of lovin'! I shall bore you with an astonishing fact about Emperor Moths: the males can detect the females up to 6 miles away, and will indeed travel that far to mate! The trouble us boys go to for a 'spot of nonesense'!

A few more Pretty Ones

 The ups and downs of

BORDERED BEAUTY

 PURPLE THORN

 c3 pristine CENTRE-BARRED SALLOW

seemingly duller but just a small example of the 3 dozen or so

LARGE YELLOW UNDERWING
see them with open wings and you'd change your mind!

Setaceous Hebrew Character also occurred in similar numbers.

Rock Trivia:-

Pretties for You was the debut album by Alice Cooper. At that time the name 'Alice Cooper' referred to the band, not just its lead singer, though he too was also known as Alice Cooper. 

One of the 'most sensational' Rock Acts I have ever seen!

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THE RETURN OF THE SERBS!
'GREAT STUFF'
AND WELCOME BACK TO THE 'TOP TEN'

Maybe an opportune moment for 'everyone' to send the link to ALL Friends and Families!
The Bagsy Blog 

Bald - The Darkness

Another dull and at times wet day the first part of which was tied to the lap-top catching up on some notes and editing photographs. On such days, when you don't know when the next 'soaking' is going to arrive, the redundant Gravel Pits at Blashford, now a Nature Reserve is as good a place as any. Affording shelter in an abundance of 'hides' and the very real chance of a rare or scarce bird (or other) at any time it is well worth the 15 minutes drive from here.

Gloom was the order of the day across the main lake where
already 'hundreds' of Swallow and House Martin could be seen
feeding at low level, just above the surface.

A quick scan round first of all produced a dozen, presumed recently arrived,
EURASIAN WIGEON
(top left) but all at a distance.

Among the increased number of Waterfowl, since my last visit,was this 'diving duck' which I am trying to make a

SCAUP
any thoughts, on a poor image, would be most welcome!

The cursory look also produced c2 small Waders which quickly dropped from view but later obligingly

wandered directly in front of the hide.

 

COMMON SANDPIPER
By this time a 'weather eye' was being kept for any sign of
Osprey, Great White Egret and Ruddy Duck
all of which have visited the reserve in recent days.

No such luck, but then I was able to pursue one of my favoured
avian pastimes taking prolonged looks at what might be termed
Common or Garden Birds.

In the Woodland Hide acrobatic

BLUE TIT

were first on show and most numerous.

ROBIN

followed by what was first thought to be a

BALD IBIS (Morocco 2006)

then a

BALD EAGLE (Canada 2008)

but looking at it in comparison with its close companions

it was surely a 'very strange' bald

GREENFINCH

 

Plenty of

NUTHATCH

 

and

GREAT TIT

activity at the feeders and

CHAFFINCH

was not to be overlooked also there,

on the ground

and in the bushes.

The DUNNOCK

contented themselves on the ground at all time, where the

BANK VOLE

family continue to thrive, but a bit too quick for this lad!

Leaving the shelter of this hide there was a short visit to the 

Ivy Lake Hide which produced nothing, but walking back there

was a familiar 'call' coming from whence I had just been.

BULLFINCH

a female was just caught with a single shot as it quickly sort refuge

in the nearby bushes.

BLASHFORD is a recommended place to visit for its abundance of (bird) wildlife, diversity of habitats, easy access, short walks, plenty of shelter and a pleasant Visitor's Centre with toilets. Hope to see you there soon!

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