Sunday 12.10.08

After the splendid Harvest Supper at the village hall, I took myself off for a wander up Chapel Lane, though Westland Green and over Ash Valley G.C. before heading home along the lanes and Ash valley. 22 species were recorded, the highlights being a male bullfinch in the hazels at the top of Chapel Lane, goldcrests in the conifers at Lodge Farm and a single common buzzard low over the golf course club house. The latter depicted here, being mobbed by a carrion crow.

Skylarks appeared to be moving west, with several parties overhead. A group of 8 black headed gulls also worked their way over the course in a southerly direction.

However, my attention was more drawn to the insects on this gloriously warm midday. A migrant hawker dragonfly hung around long enough to be photographed, as did a superb comma butterfly. I suspect a newly emerged individual , judging by the pristine state. 3 peacock butterflies were observed, 2 small whites and even more amazingly, a male brimstone. This flew up Chapel Lane and had obviously just emerged. A butterfly more associated with the first sunny days of spring! The warmth triggering its hatching. Too fast for a photo, unfortunately. A female common darter was also photographed on the ground near Caley Wood adjacent to the 2nd green on the golf course.

Later in the evening 4 tawny owls, 1 little owl were heard calling from the garden along with barking foxes and a howling muntjac. Must be the impending full moon.

Also shown here are a tree full of rooks, (with 1 carrion crow), a misty view looking south east from Chapel Lane and the colours of the hedgerow from the same spot. Also along Chapel Lane the vegetation near Lodge Farm was particularly photogenic, as shown here.