Allotment gardening 13.05.08. 70th species

A couple of hours putting seedlings in, hoeing and general preparation for more last night proved most fruitful.
The early highlight was being given great views of an immaculate male bullfinch, with his partner nearby. No camera, of course as the views were so good! Singing warblers were everywhere, with common whitethroats, the 1 lesser whitethroat and several blackcaps making themselves known. Usual green and chaffinches were also evident and my work was accompanied by the regular singing of a showy male yellowhammer. However, about 6.45pm my attention was drawn skywards by the sudden emergence of over 100 roosting jackdaws being flushed from an oak tree. Just in time, I observed a hobby wending its way northwards, directly overhead. Great views again. This constituted my 70th bird species for the year in and around Hadham Ford. A most creditable result for 4 and a half months.Where was my camera?
Butterflies enjoyed the hot evening weather, with usual sp. on show. i.e. orange tips (plenty) speckled wood (several) and a few peacocks and whites, both large and small. Don't want too many of these as I am just putting out my red cabbages and cauliflowers which are the usual larval food plant for both white species. Rabbits were also abundant.