Bat Out of Hell - Meat Loaf

There have been some fabulous happenings here since our last Post which started a couple of evenings ago with the first Parley Court Farm foray into the world of BATS. Without going into too much detail, Bat Detectors were activated for about one hour soon after sunset, but there were distractions. Firstly, my associates were keen to witness the 'roding' Woodcock hereabouts and then of course there was a 'second' passing of the International Space Station, programmed for 21:01 and supposedly visible for 6 minutes. The last 'pass' a few days ago was a spectacular sight, but this was a complete damp squib as it never came into our view at least. However, the Bats more than made up for that with

 PIPISTRELLE

 PIPISTRELLE SOPRANO
along with

 DAUBENTON'S
all being recorded and added to the PCF Archive.

Highlight of the evening was watching the latter, at very close quarters,
catching Insects on or just above the surface of the Fishing Lakes.

These images were sourced from Wiki,without permission, so it is hopped 
that no offence will be taken as illustrating to a wider audience.

Returning to Slight II at about 22:00 and checking the Heavens for Venus, Jupiter etc, an unexpected sighting was made of an extremely high (higher than the ISS) and fast move body, which could only have been man-made. Some research as to identification was carried out and was considered most likely the recently returned to Earth

The SPY in the Sky Link

AMERICAN X-37B SECRET SPACE AIRCRAFT

no need for an apology to Wiki as I took this image myself!

Best Wishes Pinocchio

The RIVER STOUR

on Thursday morning presented a fine start to the day, while it was decided

to nominate this persistent

SONG THRUSH

for the Vocalist of the Spring Award.
Each of the past 17 days it has sat atop one of the Harbins Fir Trees
singing its head off from 05:00 to late evening.
If anything deserves a Lump of 'Crumpet'
(whoooops, not allowed to say that, please substitute with SCRATCHINGS).
From the Moth Traps numbers are increasing but nothing new

TREE BUMBLEBEE
and

one of the 'Bark Beetles' thought to be

ASH BARK BEETLE

This was followed by something that was new, to me at least.

This is the very first

SHELDUCK

personally witnessed on the ground at PCF,

the previous c3 were all

seen 'in flight'.

and an Absolute Cracker at that and
Bit of a Big Deal here!

One of a pair, this female
BLACKBIRD
along with her mate are now feeding young - we'll endeavour to bring you more.

and this is my new Chauffeur s-itting on my car.

SHELDUCK

in action.

We know, here at the Bagsy Blog, that we sometimes suffer from Acute Repetitive Syndrome - but as someone once said a Thing of Beauty is a Joy to Behold. We make no apologies for including this series of shots take, with just a little patience, last Saturday.

The sensational
DARTFORD WARBLER

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Kayleigh - Marillion

Seems things are livening by the day and while there has been nothing unexpected or rare, the hedgerows are now full of Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Reed Bunting melodies, to name but a few. MOTHS? Well still a little slow and of course still a little early but

 a great start at the traps this morning with 'first out' a

First for the Property

POWDERED QUAKER
followed by a

 First of the Year

 BRINDLED BEAUTY

and for padding

 HORSE CHESTNUT
and

 ENGRAILED

 There are now a lot of

 WILLOW WARBLER

 out there but

 nowhere near as many as their very close cousin the

 CHIFFCHAFF

 it sounds as if they are all singing at once.

That's what we have been waiting for!

The Breakfast Table of a
GREY SQUIRREL

and although we have featured this before, this is the mother of all
WITCHS' BROOM (Disease)

There seems to have been a massive hatch of

GALERUCELLA SAGITTARIAE

and also found by the wayside what is thought to be one of the

FUNGAL WEEVIL
Our Thanks go to John Gifford for assistance with ID's.

 

We were simply waiting for it and not

disappointed to find the first

WHEATEAR

in exactly the same place

as in the previous 3 years.
If things continue in that fashion, it will also be the last!

A pair of
GOLDFINCH

are now nest building in the small Holm Oak directly outside of
Slight Return II

while this
BLUE TIT,
one of a pair, isn't very far away.

MARSH MARIGOLD
also in full bloom.

Whether they are the same 3 or not cannot be told

'displaying' by

LITTLE RINGED PLOVER
has continued above the Irrigation Pond.

MEADOW PIPIT

continue their display routines on

The Heath

and while considered by some to be 'dull', not this kid.

GREY HERON
has been absent here for a good few days now, doubtlessly another
severe case of breeding. This beautifully marked individual turned up
on the Moors River 4 days ago were it has remained since.
A closer shot would be most welcome!

GADWALL
continue to grace both ponds and it must be about time we changed
'status' from 'scarce' to 'common'.

 Do you remember chalk hearts melting on a playground wall
Do you remember dawn escapes from moon washed college halls
Do you remember the 'cherry blossom' in the market square
Do you remember I thought it was confetti in our hair

Misplaced Childhood - Marillion

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