Thick as a Brick - Jethro Tull

With the last 2 nights dropping in temperature to below Zero C, we have to return to Tuesday to view anything from the Moth Traps. Wednesday morning only produced 4 species to a total of 9 Macro Moths while today drew a complete BLANK - the first time ever.

BRICK

was about the only one worth showing, but with a couple of appointments

to attend to there might be more en-route.

LONG-TAILED DUCK

is one I have seen a few of in Dorset over the years,

but what has eluded me in the County

was one close enough to photograph.

While this individual was extremely active

in feeding mode

one on the surface there was a chance of a 'snap'.

A young

GREAT CRESTED GREBE

close by was worth a shot but the

BLACK GUILLEMOT

proved, as ever, to be distant and difficult!

Can you see it yet?

These were the best shot that could be managed.

With the continuing absence of Hugh and Janet in Zimbabwe, it was a quick 'about turn' once my loose ends were tied up, hence the short post - please keep tuning in!

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Swan Lake - Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

The 3rd 'rain-soaked' night in a row (making it every November night so far) has caused a modicum of grief with the Power Supply around here, but for every Down there is an UP.

 

As I arrived at Harbins this morning the

MALLARD

were certainly enjoying their newly formed Lake.

Little physical effort is required to catch and record Moths, but to get that 'behind the scenes' look at such diverse and beautiful creatures is a Joy to Behold. As the year gets long, the nights draw in and temperatures continue to fall there become less and less of them, then suddenly in one catch some of the more colourful stuff that presented themselves earlier in the year..

BLOOD-VEIN

ROSY FOOTMAN

RED-GREEN CARPET

all in the Macro Department,

along with the delicate, beautiful and with translucent white wings

a Migrant Micro

 

PALPITA VITRIALIS

Another variation of the Ladybird plague in recent days,

a spotless

HARLEQUIN

Daily wanders up to the Pond continue but while other areas of Dorset

are now recording fairly substantial arrivals of the likes of

Wigeon and Teal

we have seen none over the last month.

The scene there yesterday morning was slightly different with the

arrival of 2 more

MUTE SWANs

but while the juvenile bird was certainly new it wasn't known if either

of the adults was P7E

Apart from the Solar Panels proving to be favoured perching points

the fence post surrounding them are also an attraction particularly to

COMMON BUZZARD

which can almost be guaranteed at certain posts.

During my Pond Visit on Friday a fantastic discovery was made!

As part of the Solar Panels project an agreement was made that a certain amount of hedgerow would be planted around the margins of the site. Over the weekend Chris Sugden and his team have made something of a major start to this. What could eventually be a couple of miles of Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Hazel and Guelder Rose (all chosen for their fruit bearing properties) will be a most welcome addition to an area previously given over to turf production.

About a 'quarter of a mile' of '3 row' hedging already planted.
It was of note that all of the plants were 'POT' reared.

With only chance to talk to Chris for about 30 minutes his knowledge and ideas have generated a spark. Already suggesting a meeting with Hugh, on his return from Zimbabwe, to discuss future projects in weed and wild flower seed production plus  Hazel coppicing, there seems to be a golden opportunity for another self financing business venture. He tells me that the 'seed' mentioned, on the open market, is now on a par with Saffron for price??

During other daily wanders the following series of images were taken

and were though worthy of publishing more or less as they came out of the camera.

Too many

MAGPIE

FLESHFLIES

taking what little sun there has been on the

Merritown Heath Gate.

GORSE SHIELDBUG

 another 'learning curve'
While taking these shots it was thought that the light was changing as the
back end of this Insect was at first looking white then grey/blue.
My learn'ed friend John Gifford informs me that they do in fact change colour to
fit in with the background. Maybe it should be a Chameleon Bug?

 Bird on a Wire

BLACK-HEADED GULL

seem to love this unusual balancing act here at PCF.

After the single of a few weeks ago there now appear to be a 'pair' of
COAL TIT
in the Harbins Garden.

GREEN WOODPECKER

in all sorts of feeding postures.

On the way back to Slight Return II there was another visit to the Pond.

Truth is, I simply cannot drive past even after just a few moments away.

There, clear of the water, stood the 'userper' no doubting the

identity this time.

No Darvik Ring on the left leg, just a small metal one on the right.
The other adult was proved to be P7E

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