February
1st, already! And the weather is milder once more. The rain has stopped and
whilst it was very windy last night this morning everything was more settled
again. Unfortunately the wind seems to have demolished what little felt was
left on our garden shed so Pete has a job next week putting that to rights.
Nothing interesting to report on the wildlife front but as I want to try and
keep this up to date I thought I might add one of our faithful blue tits on
the page just for starters.
February 3rd, and whilst I have
not been involved in taking an interest in things outside I have been
creating a new web page with photos from this year's local pantomime
production, Aladdin. This also links to a pdf file of the previous 4 years productions
(be warned this takes some time loading) and a link to another site which has
a history of the
Hallingburys Panto Group.
February
4th, the day started dull but this afternoon it has been dry and bright and
Pete was able to get into the garden. Whilst I have not taken any photos
today I was fortunate to see a new type of moth yesterday evening when I was
at a friend's house and was able to take a picture. It is a Pale Brindled
Beauty Apocheima pilosaria, the melanic form which is more common, and
explains why it is so dark in colour. The picture opens up if clicked on.
Already it is 13th February and
the weeks are flying by. Although I did not update the website previously as
I have been too busy I did manage a photo of one of the long tailed tits
which seem to be coming to the feeders more regularly, this was taken on 10th
February.
.
The weather the last couple of days has been overcast with a few spots of
rain and quite mild. This seems to have brought out the moths and for the
past couple of nights we have had 3 Dotted Border Agriopis marginaria by
the porch light. Each picture will open up and it is interesting to see how
they differ. The central picture is of a moth that has folded it's wings
round the corner of the building.
There has also been this Brindled
Pug, Eupithecia abbreviata, and March moth, Alsophila aescularia. Click
on the pictures to see them better, particularly the March moth's antennae.
Incidentally the March moth has obviously not completely settled as its wings
are not in the typical position for this type of moth at rest. Because of this
I had to resort to the experts for positive identification, as I also had to
for the Brindled pug as this is a little early for the usual flight season.
My thanks go to Brian Goodey of
Essex moths who identified both these moths for me.
February
15th is much the same as Valentine's Day in that it is dull and overcast with
a few spots of rain. There has been an abundance of Dotted Border, Agriopis
marginaria, moths by the front porch. Yesterday we counted 7 with one
early moth remaining from the day before and at lunch time today 5 of those were
still there. I have included photos of the additional 4 to demonstrate the
variation there is in a species. All the photos click open.
February 25th, only 10 days since the last entry!!
My only excuse is that I seem to be running to keep up with myself and there
has been very little time to stop and stare. This morning after a light snow
fall during the night and with a beautifully sunny morning I was determined
to take at least one picture and I eventually managed 2 which demonstrate how
the year is moving on. The blue sky made a perfect backdrop to the catkins on
our tortured willow. Also I was delighted with the blackthorn blossom, if you
click on the picture you will see the detail of the stamen etc.
February
1st, already! And the weather is milder once more. The rain has stopped and
whilst it was very windy last night this morning everything was more settled
again. Unfortunately the wind seems to have demolished what little felt was
left on our garden shed so Pete has a job next week putting that to rights.
Nothing interesting to report on the wildlife front but as I want to try and
keep this up to date I thought I might add one of our faithful blue tits on
the page just for starters.
February 3rd, and whilst I have
not been involved in taking an interest in things outside I have been
creating a new web page with photos from this year's local pantomime
production, 
Already it is 13th February and
the weeks are flying by. Although I did not update the website previously as
I have been too busy I did manage a photo of one of the long tailed tits
which seem to be coming to the feeders more regularly, this was taken on 10th
February. 
