Hello everybody, there's not been much to blog about for ages, what with the bloody (sorry), ever so awful spring weather, and family commitments. This resulted in me not being able to go on a Birding break to Bulgaria, unfortunately. My thanks to all those very understanding and sympathetic organisers.
Just how our wildlife has managed I have no idea, but a clue lies in my moth trapping - 36 species as of today compared with 68, yes 68, last year and even worse 27 in 2013, which was a disaster - if you recall "our" Swallows didn't breed at all in that year. I'm glad to report there are now young in the nest, already big enough to be visible over the edge as we pass by, but blimey, they must have struggled to find food. By my reckoning they didn't lay eggs until the beginning of May. However, there is always something to catch the eye, like my superb blousy poppy, what a tart!
Good old mother nature does enjoy a joke at my expense, dreadful though I think this Spring has been, there was a new species for this garden in the moth trap this morning, and what a beauty, super Netted Pug - so beautiful, and sooo small, about the size of your little fingernail
A few days ago there was an immigrant in the garden. No, it hadn't fallen off the back of a lorry, but been blown in by these horrible winds which irritate me so very much, and everyone else besides. When I made this photo it woke up and flew onto the window
allowing this unusual portrait of a Bordered Straw (who named these moths? Completely eccentric Victorian vicars most of the time)
there has also been an early Elephant Hawkmoth, not as early as reported from Saltwood and elsewhere, but don't it look scruffy, another testament to the winds that been blowing I guess
On 6 June (last Saturday) our neighbours organised a garden tea party in support of the local church, which we were pleased to support. Unknown to us, Dave had also arranged a special flypast and aerobatic display by 3, yes 3 Spitfires. I suppose that they were really to do with the anniversary of D_Day, nevertheless we were treated to a super display, without the noise of accompanying helicopters or light airplanes - fabulous
We off to Brighton tomorrow, grand-daughter Emily abseiling down the Grand Hotel in aid of the blind ex-servicesmen's charity, we shall be there to support her. Then in 2 weeks it's the Garden Safari (another reason I been so quiet, you should see the "to-do list for that"!) and also the Battle of the Boar's Head commemoration to attend. However did I find time for work!
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