A few moments in the life of a Tornado, and other stories

During recent unsettled weather (which included the wettest September since we came to St Margaret's 21 years ago) this mini Tornado appeared over the church, and for a few minutes looked as though it might develop further

It didn't last long, became a bit wispy

and then fizzled out, probably just as well. Those passing gulls don't seem to be impressed

A few days later this rabbit appeared in the same bit of sky

Last weekend Samphire Hoe hosted a Big Migration Watch. Yours truly contributed reports from South Foreland and Langdon Hole. Mark was trapping and ringing that morning, including this nice and brown Song Thrush, probably therefore a UK bird, not continental (see later)

This Robin is a "this year's bird"; that is to say a "3" in ringing terms, or one hatched this spring

This Chiffchaff was also a "3" and one of many around just now

There were also the first tiny little Goldcrests of the autumn, including this female

and also this Male, with the lovely rich red colour in his crest

smashing little bird

In the search for more migrants to report in, I made my way to Langdon Hole to cover it in Mr Smith's absence. There were large numbers of Swallows and Martins there, swooping around and perching on the fence

It wasn't until I downloaded the pictures from my camera at home that I found this intriguing sight

among the Swallows in this frame was a bird with a very rusty-coloured chest. It's perched beside the post next to the Sand Martin. That may well be  a Scandinavian bird, by my reckoning. I suppose Sweden to UK isn't much compared with all the way to South Africa

In Mr Smith's absence it fell to me to photograph this unusual thing being dragged down channel 

Today we went to Covert Wood to enjoy a welcome bit of sunshine

and a hatch of pristine Commas

The sunlight on this last flower on the Rosebay Willowherb was irresistible

This afternoon in the garden there were solitary bees of unknown species (for me) busy about their business excavating holes to lay eggs, deposit food parcels, and leave next year's generation to fend for itself - fascinating stuff

Also had my attention drawn to these caterpillars on a Rose, will look them up when I get my book back from Matthew. (Thanks to Bill, they are Buff-tip Moth caterpillars)

And finally, on the subject of seeing things after downloading the pictures, this Field Grasshopper on the wateringcan handle a few days ago appears to have lost a leg!

You never know...

 

I don't think I've posted a blog so soon after the event as this one, but it was a bit special, as you will see. But first an example of our topsy turvy weather. Last week I went on separate days to the beach at Walmer in search of the elusive Mackerel with first Philip and then Matthew. No fish, and absolutely no comparison between the weather on either day

 

 

 

I made us a cuppa about 4 o'clock this afternoon, and as we sat enjoying it on the lawn, a juvenile Wood Warbler appeared at the bird bath for a quick bathe about 4 metres from us, before catching a few insects and moving on out of the garden away along the hedge back of St Vincent Road, Wow, that's a super garden sighting, and what a little beauty it was, but no chance to dash in for the camera

 

 

About half past seven, I went into the kitchen to carry our dinner through to the conservatory and movement outside caught my eye - a juvenile Cuckoo sat itself on the holly bush not 6 metres away

It soon flew off up the garden leaving us somewhat bemusedly to start eating our dinner, only for it to return and sit first on the lawn to do some anting, and then in this bush to enable a few photographs of a very unusual sighting. As they say, you never know...but, boy, did it upset "our" Swallows 

 

And good luck to the Cuckoo on it's epic journey

 

Richebourg St Vaast - The Boar's Head, and a mystery moth

 

The commemoration ceremony for those who fought at the Battle of the Boar's Head was held last weekend. If you're not familiar with the story, my blog of  19 July 2011 tells it

Richard, Néve and I attended this year. Young Néve had been looking forward to her day in France and I'm glad to say she enjoyed it, as we all did. Drove first to Hazebrouk for lunch in La Taverne, in the square, then a quick poke round the Ville for chocolates and bread to bring home

 

 

Then it was round to the cemetery at Richebourg for the commemoration, very well attended this year

 

The march back into the village took a break en route to dedicate a new access road to a new school complex (very modern and swish-looking). It's named Allée de Worthing to respect links between the two  communities, recently renewed by the commemorations. This originally goes back to 1920 when English towns were invited to adopt and support devastated French communities, Worthing having adopted Richebourg L'Avoué. This meant we were unable to enjoy the hospitality at the Mairie as we needed to be back to Calais and home at a reasonable hour for Néve's sake 

 

Next year it's the 100th anniversary of the battle, the commemoration will be on "the day", that is Thursday 30th June. There is talk of a gathering at the site of the front line at 03.00 on the morning, which I plan to attend - watch this blog


Now, here's this week's puzzle. This thing was in the trap this morning, and I have no idea of it's identity. I am unable to find anything to match it in my Waring and Townsend, so help is needed, please
Thanks to Tony Morris, it's a Lesser Yellow Underwing - memo to self, check out the wings and don't be confused by the markings on the abdomen, a bit more striking than I've seen before

 

And finally, the second Breeding Bird Survey at Sutton on Tuesday morning started with this smashing misty sunrise

 

and the day finished with this evening sky over Wanstone

Oh no not another Moth

 

The increase in Moths continues, I bet I'm not half as glad as the Pippistrelles which have  been zooming around the garden this last few evenings. Nancy thinks I'm completely daft, as I rush out with a Bat Detector just to listen to them echo-sounding. (Just 'cos I like to, it's a man thing, and a gadget too!)

Any road up, this was in the trap this morning, by my reading of Waring and Townsend it's a Feathered Beauty, and another immigrant. Perhaps either Phil, Tony or Ian you could correct me or confirm it please - I've never been good at the Ennominae. If I'm right it's another first for this garden

 

I'm not right, thanks again to Tony, it's a Mottled Beauty, the kink in that dark and pale line towards the outer edge of the fore-wing is markedly kinked - see? (I didn't) And... the hind wing is less well marked. We live and learn

 

 

Moths at last

 

What with the dry and cold weather, and the wind as well, I reckon "things" are still 2 or 3 weeks behind. At least it's not as bad as 2013, when "our" Swallows failed to breed at all. Presently there are 3 well feathered young peering over the edge of the nest at the world outside, and some interesting moths this morning

 

F'rinstance, there was the first Pale Tussock of the year 

 

and now I've captured a Small Elephant Hawkmoth, at last

 

it was snuggled into an egg-box right alongside this regular Elephant Hawkmoth, rather more presentable than the one the other day, and I've managed to get the size difference about right in these photos

 

 

One of 4 Common Marbled Carpet trapped recently, all of which varied in appearance, true to form

 

 

This rose had grown away very well in spite of the weather, having been planted about a month ago. It's called "You are my sunshine" and this bloom is a real beauty; not much scent tho'

 

Garden safari next weekend, we been busy getting the garden as presentable as we can, fingers crossed for the weather then

Proud Grandad

 

Many congratulations to Emily for successfully doing the abseil, what a brave girl. And congratulations to all the others who did the jump today for the Blind Veterans UK charity

Em has so far raised nearly £300 pounds and we are all very proud of her

 

 

The wait for Emily's "go" was enlivened (if that's the right word) by a naked bike ride along Brighton sea front. I'll spare you the pictures, but the sight made me wince a bit!

Nor do I have a picture of the BLACK KITE which drifted over the Eastry by-pass yesterday about 10 past 10, what a surprise!

Hi, I'm still alive!!!

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!