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An individual, of no great importance, who is unable to see the natural world as a place for competition. I catch fish, watch birds, derive immense pleasure from simply looking at butterflies, moths, bumble-bees, etc - without the need for rules! I am Dylan and this is my blog - if my opinions offend? Don't bother logging on again - simple!

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Wednesday 2 September 2015

Garden joy

The moth trap wasn't turned on until 22.30 hrs, last night, due to me being on lates. No big deal - conditions were reasonable and by delaying the set up most of the previous nights catch should have had a chance to disperse? Seven Vestals this morning with single Rush Veneer and Silver Y plus all the regular species I'd expect at this time of year.
The gulls were a little agitated, so I fitted the big lens and took my camera and binoculars out into the back garden. I couldn't find anything which could be causing the angst, but a few pulses of Swallows swept by, heading south and a couple of Siskins were also noted. I'd been surveying the scene for about 30 minutes when I glimpsed a bird flitting about in an apple tree six or seven gardens to the south. Its' id confirmed, as I raised my bins, as a Pied Flycatcher! Bloody hell, the first Newland's record, and it got even better. As I watched; it made several sorties and, in doing so, moved ever closer to our garden before, bingo, there it was in the Elder (the same one which attracted the Garden Warbler earlier).




I rattled off a series of shots, ensuring that this sighting was beyond doubt! What a garden tick -  moments like this are what makes the simple joy of patch/garden watching such a pleasure. Conditions look good for a raptor, or two, so don't be surprised if this post gets added to later this morning!

3 comments:

  1. Snap Dyl, had my first garden pied fly (s) in August too. Lovely little birds....

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    1. Stewart - I don't know why they're so special? Yet they always seem quite exotic whenever I encounter them in a local park or Ramsgate Cemetery - always during autumn migration. Hoping all is well and the North v's South challenge is keeping you motivated - Dyl

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  2. Yes thanks Dyl, despite the odd whinge I am always wildlife motivated really. I have just sent my moth list to Steve for this year so far - its on 307 forms ( some sub species/types in there too). As for birds, well I am pretty much on target so far....

    I think Pied Flys are special because they indicate real migration. You know for a fact they havent bred in the copse around the corner :)

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