Waxwing

Waxwing
"To see a world in a grain of sand,
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand
And eternity in an hour."

From "Auguries of Innocence"

by William Blake

Sunday 2 June 2013

Moths and Scarecrows

I've put out the moth trap four times in the last week or so and haven't been having a lot of success. I did trap a Caddis Fly last Monday, a Sexton Beetle on Friday evening but no moths. I did manage to catch just one moth last night. Although that wasn't actually in the trap it flew into the garage as I opened the door to go out and check the trap. I shall have to leave the trap in position on the patio for Garden Moth Scheme nights as they ask you not to move location but on other evenings I think I will try putting the trap further up the garden to see if I have any more luck.

Foxglove Pug (Eupithecia pulchellata pulchellata) A very pretty, well marked individual.



Caddis Fly




Blue Tit Update

We are still not 100% sure how many chicks hatched. Emily thought she counted nine whereas Brian and I could only see eight. Sadly, 2 (or 3) have died and we are down to six. The good news is that they all look healthy, their eyes opened yesterday and the parents are bringing in plenty of food especially now its sunnier and drier.


Scarecrows

A local village, Hampton-in-Arden has been holding a Festival this weekend with village fete and a competition for scarecrows on the theme of Pantomime characters. David and I went along on Friday for a sneak preview and here's a selection of some of the scarecrows we saw on our walk.






























Afterwards we had a rather nice pub lunch at The Malt Shovel, Barston. Beautiful interior but the food, although lovely, was a little expensive.

4 comments:

Dartford Warbler said...

Lovely to see your moth photos again, for another summer.

Scarecrow festivals seem to be catching on all over the country. We have a local one on the old Christchurch to Ringwood road and people put so much effort into their scarecrows. They cheer everyone up who drives past!

Ragged Robin said...

Dartford Warbler - Many thanks :) Hopefully, I'll be catching a few more to show you soon. Very slow start to the year!

I think Scarecrow Festivals are a lovely idea too :) Have been to the one at Lapworth but I missed the Hampton one last year so jumped at chance to go this :)

ShySongbird said...

Hi Caroline:-) The Foxglove Pug is pretty, I don't think I'd heard of it before.

I hope the remaining Blue Tit chicks continue to do well and that the weather is nice when they eventually fledge. Perhaps this warm spell will help the moth situation too.

The scarecrows are delightful, it does seem to be an idea which is becoming more and more popular. it must take a lot of time and effort to create them. The pig family made me laugh and also Aladdin on his magic carpet...at least I assume that's who it was. Great fun :-)

Ragged Robin said...

Shy Songbird - Hi Jan :) Seem to remember you may have the Waring "bible" - its in there. Won't give page number as I'm not sure if you have full or concise guide. Its one of the few pugs that'st easier to id :)

Sadly, have lost another Blue Tit chick today :( One of the remaining chicks seems a lot more advanced than the others - they are extremely competitive when parents bring in food and it seems to be "survival of the fittest"!!

No moths again last night :( I tried moving trap half way up the garden nearer the mini wildflower meadow and woodland area but doesn't seem to have made much difference!! Feels more humid tonight so perhaps something will appear :)

Glad you like the scarecrows :) I liked the pig family too :) I think you're right over Aladdin. I didn't name them all because I am not that good on panto characters :) Just about recognised Captain Hook, Rapunzel and Aladdin :)

Hope you feel well enough to take advantage of nice weather and get out. Although hoping its not too bad for hay fever.

Meant to mention - checked out Warks BC site and Ryton Meadows Reserve and checked map and compared with google maps etc. and I think the bench with animal carvings is right opposite path onto the butterfly reserve - what a pity I could have whiled (sp??) away the hour plus there if I had known!! :)