Garden entertainment

Still haven't managed to get out with the rods, as yet, because things didn't quite go to plan. No big deal, as I am now resigned to the fact that a Pike fishing campaign will be main focus of my efforts in the coming months. However, before this becomes a reality, Bev's son is getting married, next weekend, and the only event which is of relevance at the moment. (Bev's assessment - of course!) So, with this as the background, I have spent much of my time getting the Pike gear sorted out. Lots of new traces have been put together using, both, double and treble hooks (all barbless) specifically for my dead bait presentation. It was whilst sat at my desk (?) - where my laptop is positioned - preparing new traces when I saw a Great Spotted Woodpecker at the peanut feeder. Now whilst this species is recorded annually,  I have never, previously, seen one using the garden feeders.

The MV trap continues to attract a few moths which are worthy of mention, although Radford's Flame Shoulder isn't one of them. Once autumn is here, then the "Sallow" gang appear and, so it has been, The Sallow and Barred Sallow have been taken, on consecutive nights, and I am sure that there won't be too many other new species on the year list before the trap is retired for another year?

The Sallow

Barred Sallow

Return to The Garage Pool

 With Bev and I having made the weekly visit to Tesco it was some time after 13.30 hrs that I decided to have another drive down to Cliffsend to see if I could get some better images of the Black-necked Grebe. As it turned out the grebe had gone and I was, therefore, very thankful that I'd made the effort yesterday. Although I was only on site for a very short while I didn't leave without pointing the camera in the direction of an extremely confiding Little Egret. 

I was back home within ninety minutes and that included me taking a quick wander around King George VI Park - major error given the numbers of dog walkers using the park at that time of day. I ran the moth trap last night purely because I'd been keeping up with what Sandwich Bay Obs and the Folkestone crowd had been reporting all the time we were on Corfu. It would seem that, weather conditions permitting, Radford's Flame Shoulder is a good possibiliy at the moment. Last night, however, didn't provide me with too much to get excited about. Three Delicates, two each of Feathered Ranunculus, Lunar Uderwing & Large Yellow Underwing plus a single Angleshades. Tonight's forecast is much improved on yesterdays, so the trap will be in opperation again, so fingers crossed. All things going to plan I should be back out down the local club "Carp Puddle" tomorrow for few hours?

Back to reality

 It was just before 03.00 hrs, this morning, that I parked the car on our drive for the first time in twenty-three days! Absolutely knackered, Bev and I were tucked up under the duvet within a few minutes because the luggage could wait until later to be sorted out. Yet, as crazy as it might seem, within seven hours of getting home, I had a wander around The Garage Pool, at Pegwell Bay in the hope of spotting the Black-necked Grebe which had been in residence since early October. 

Yes I know it's "twitching" but, I was on my own and didn't see another birder (or togger) during the time I was down there. The light levels weren't particularly conducive for obtaining anything more than record images. I also used the 1.4 X converter with the 100 - 400 mm lens because it spent the majority of its' time actively hunting the far side of the pool. It's certainly been some time since I last set eyes upon this species so, being just down the road, it seemed silly to ignore it?

I've now had time to do a bit of research and it would appear that the Noctuid moth, which I posted yesterday, is nothing other than a Poplar Grey. It is certainly much more contrasting in light and dark patternation than those I see in my garden and isn't a species I associate with Pine covered hillsides or flying in mid-October. 

Pike season is already ten days old and the first Canterbury/Thanet PAC regional meeting takes place on Monday night. Conditions are far too warm, at present, for me to think about getting a dead bait out in the water but, I do need to get the rods dusted down as I've not been fishing since the 5th September! The Morrison's wet fish counter, in Canterbury, needs to be visited in order to procure some Mackerel and Herrings, so that I can get them dyed and flavoured prior to placing them in the freezer awaiting yet another campaign in search of that fish of my dreams.

Day twenty-one - a Noctuid conundrum

Bev and I are sat in the bar area, of the Irene complex, awaiting our airport transfer. So just time, and computer battery life, for me to share an image of a Noctuid moth which I'd potted beside the external light yesterday evening. It's certainly not a species which I recognise, but that's not particularly unusual. A large species of similar proportions to Feathered Ranunculus. I'll have plenty of time to search through my reference material when we get home.

The only other moths attracted were a Vestal and two Rush Veneers. Gatwick here we come!

Day twenty - last effort

My final walk up onto the Pentati road proved to be very uneventful. Birds were, as expected, in short supply whilst butterflies were virtually absent. A pair of Common Buzzards and a Raven did their best to elevate the session, yet it came down to a lizard sp. to provide the day's highlight.

I've certainly not seen this species before, so will hopefully manage to get an id when we are back home? A dragonfly, close to the apartment complex, provided the only other photo opportunity. Originally I thought it to be a Common Darter but, having had a quick peruse of the British Dragonfly Society website, it appears to be another species which will require a bit more research at a later date.

We plan a very lazy day for tomorrow before the chaotic ritual of a late evening flight back to Gatwick and all that it entails before we are able to pick up the  car and make our way back to Dumpton, via the bloody M25!.Probably won't make another blog offering until after we're safely back in the bungalow - this is Corfu over and out.

Day nineteen - high ground farewell

It was just before 10.00 hrs that I began my final trek up onto the high ground, beyond Kato Garouna. Another glorious day ensured that Bev would be perfectly happy, with her lizard impression, soaking up the rays beside the pool. Knowing that it would be my final foray up there I spent just over four hours away from The Irene complex. 

That exposed, rocky, ridge is over 100 m higher than the track which I am able 
to wander and possibly the highest point on Corfu?

The birding was never going to be anything other than very predictable, given the weather conditions, and it was left to the scenery and invertebrates to provide the subjects for my camera kit. As I have no idea when, if ever, we'll be back I spent my time enjoying this fabulous environment and its' ambience.

I was quite surprised to spot several 2nd gen. Holly Blues, which are a Corfu first for me, and the second Magpie of our holiday. It really is a strange situation looking at wildlife which wouldn't be out of place in the Thanet garden, whilst on a Greek hillside. 

Female Cleopatra butterfly

The next two days will pass in the blinking of an eye. I have just one more foray up onto the Pentati road planned and then it's home time. I've taken thousands of photos and will probably attempt to do a summary later in the month? I'll end this offering with a photo which is a pure fluke, as it was perched when I raised the camera.

Day eighteen - winding down

Another stunning, Autumn, day here at Agios Gordios. Bright sunshine and cloudless skies from dawn till dusk, just the ticket for Bev and her holiday agenda. It was a very leisurely start to the day, not getting up until just after 09.00 hrs. The regular routine of a shower, before coffee out on the balcony, was followed to the letter and it wasn't until 10.20 hrs that I walked Bev across to the poolside. Once sorted out, I took a very sedate stroll up to the Pentati road. I think "quiet" might be a good description of my efforts, although there were a few birds to point the binoculars at whilst on my wanderings. Two Kestrels were noisily engaged in some type of territorial dispute, whilst a couple of Ravens croaked loudly as they passed over my position. Common Buzzards seemed to be very active around the area and I was treated to nice fly past by a Peregrine..

Still lots of Blackcaps and Robins in, and around, the local Olive groves but none willing to pose for the long lens. It was whilst I was scanning an open area, where grape vines were the main crop, that I had a fleeting glimpse of a Sparrowhawk in close pursuit of some unfortunate passerine. They were quickly lost from view and the outcome of the event is unknown. Butterfly numbers seem to be very low and the majority of those which I am encountering are in very worn condition. The annual cycle is very close to the end for many of the invertebrates I guess. No dragonflies along the stream as I got back down to The Irene Complex, but I did spot my third snake of the holiday. Sadly it was far too quick for me to grab a photo!

As is often said "Time flies when you're enjoying yourself" and this holiday certainly backs up this sentiment. We've got three more days before Thanet beckons and the reality of downtown Dumpton kicks in again. I plan to take my final stroll up onto the high ground tomorrow, so hope that something happens to provide a fitting finale to this latest adventure.