Hurcott Pools and Nature Reserve....11/07/2010

Hurcott Pools and Woods was the first port of call today (11th) in search of Six-spot Burnets and Marbled White butterflies. Well the six-spots didn't take much seeking as they were out in numbers today. My daughter had been to Hurcott the previous day and was surprised how many more there were today. Lovely to see them flying and feeding on the Ragwort and Thistles, they came so close at times that I thought they were going to rest on my person.lol!! Marbled Whites were also easily seen, at least four or maybe five individuals were seen, with a couple looking a little worn. These were a first for me and a delight to see! Other butterflies seen were Comma, Ringlet, Small Skipper, Large white, Red Admiral, Common Blue, Tortoiseshell and Gatekeeper. On and around the bridge were seen Azure and Blue-tailed Damselfly and a Beautiful Demoiselle. Birds were few and far between but the highlight was a small flock of Linnets and two Kestrels that had a tussle in the air, no doubt a territorial tussle! A new wildflower for me today in White Byrony found growing along a barbed wire fence in the hedgerow.

In my garden.... 8th & 9th July 2010

A Holly Blue flitting around some Ivy in my garden was a delight to see (8th). I have seen very few of these this summer. I also spotted a Crane fly on the netting of my garden pond (9th). I have had it ID'd as being Nephrotoma sp. An intricate and colourful fly when viewed closely.

Moths found in my garden during late June 2010.

I was surprised how many moth species I found in my garden during (and especially late) June. I gave up on my home made Moth Trap and just left outdooor lights on, it was surprising how many moths passed through. I just wish more had landed for a pic.lol!

A Poem and a Sunset....7/07/2010

The first verse of the poem has been my Signature for a few years on a Forum and this evening I decided it was time for a change! I am adding the entire poem on my blog as it is such a delightful and thought provoking poem and has served me well. After a blustery, cloudy and warm day it was a joy to see a striking sunset this evening, it did not last for many minutes so l was pleased to have managed a photo. The sun has set on my poem and also at the end of what has been in the main a stormy looking summer's day.

HOPE IS A THING WITH FEATHERS

Author: Emily Dickinson

Hope is a thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings a tune without words
And never stops at all.

And sweetest, in the gale, is heard
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That keeps so many warm.

I've heard it in the chilliest land
And on the strangest sea
Yet, never, in extremity
It ask a crumb of me.

Fisheries update....26/06/2010

All is quiet at the Fisheries albeit for the Chiffchaff and what I believe was a Reed Warbler singing their merry heads off. The Foxgloves along one of the paths looked stunning in the early morning sunshine, such a delightful and elegant flower. Speckled Wood were the only butterfly that landed for any length of time and the Chimney Sweeper moths were flitting around in the vegetation. A Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over, a couple of juvenile Long-tailed Tits were sighted and the usual Blue & Great Tits were seen and heard. I am not sure whether the insect in one of the photo's is a fly or a beetle, I will get an Id for it at some point.

Later that evening....25/06/2010

As it was such a calm and warm evening a walk down one of the lanes of a local village was partaken after the walk around Sling Pool. Birds were few and far between, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Yellowhammer, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush Jackdaw and a Buzzard were all that was on offer but nevertheless all of them a delight to see! The walk up the bridleway to the paddocks was much easier than on the last walk here, sand had been laid to soak up the mud and fill the deep ridges that had formed during the Spring rains. Again not much in the way of birds in view, however one creature that I had a fleeting glance of as it scurried in to a large garden that is alongside the paddock, emerged a couple of minutes later and I am pleased to say that I was thrilled to see it was a Badger! My first Badger (live) seen for a number of years, the last one being whilst on holiday in Saundersfoot many moons ago! On the walk back to my car Pipistrelle and Noctule bats emerged and two Foxes were seen! So all in all an eventful evening!

Sling Pool, Clent Hills....25/06/2010

This was the first visit to Sling Pool and what a delightful area it turned out to be. Sling Pool is a remnant of the industrial history of the Clent Hills and was once connected to a mill house involved in scythe production. I have to say that the birds kept their heads down this evening but not their singing, Blackbird and Song Thrush in particular were singing heartily away and Great & Blue Tits were also heard along the relatively short walk. A Great Spotted Woodpecker flew across the reed beds and a couple of Woodpigeon were also seen. The wildflowers were looking particularly attractive though the butterflies had by now gone to rest for the evening along with the dragonflies as none were to be seen. A return visit on a sunny day will I am sure reap rewards with both species!