Thanks Everyone

 When I started writing this blog back in September 2016 I never thought about how things may go in the future. 

 

After 4 years, in 2020, I looked at the visit count and saw I was nearing 12,000 so I took a screenshot, then I did the same after another 4 years when 30,000 came up last year. Since then the visit count has gone through the roof and I really don't know why as I don't think I've done anything different?!   When I worked out how many visits per day the new total meant, I was flabbergasted. An average of 72 per day over 18 months is way more than I ever thought was possible - but the White-tailed Eagle entry attracted many visits and this may well explain some of the growth.

 Whatever the reason may be, I would like to say thanks to everyone who visits. I'd like to see a few more comments and feedback so I can change content to suit, but failing that I'll just rock on as I am 😉

 

 Just a few items today to cover the past week, which has been a bit flat for me as I've been very busy decorating at home. Boring I know  but these things have to be done.

 

The finch flock in the set aside field has grown to at least 232 Goldfinches and about 60 Linnets. There are probably more Linnets there, but I've yet to see them. The Goldfinches were counted from photos and the Linnets were estimated in real time.

 

Goldfinches and a few Linnets over the set aside

The warmth of the sun has been great and has brought out a few butterflies and quite a few dragonflies over the week. Red Admiral, Small Copper, Comma, Speckled Wood, Large White and Small White butterflies were recorded; Dragonflies seen were Migrant Hawker, Common Darter and a possible Ruddy Darter.

 

Small Copper

Large White

 

I came across something new to me - a few Rose Bedeguar Galls (Diplolepsis rosae) along a field edge. Also known as Robin's Pincushion, Mossy Rose Gall and Moss Gall, this develops as an aberation of an unopened leaf axillary or terminal bud, usually on Dog Rose or Field Rose, caused by Diplolepsis rosae (a Gall Wasp) which lays eggs into each selected leaf bud. The wasp grubs develop in the gall and emerge in spring. As I say, I've never seen one before but I'll look out for them in future.

Rose Bedeguar Galls (Diplolepsis rosae)

Almost all birds have completed their breeding season now but a few are carrying on regardless - Wood Pigeons for example 😂

Wood Pigeon at its nest

 This morning on my (shorter than usual due to decorating) walk, I was looking elsewhere and turned to look up the adjacent field, and saw two young Roe Deer approacing along the ditch. Nice to see and I took a few pics, but then I slowly walked away before they saw me, as I didn't want to disturb their foraging.

Two young Roe Deer this morning

 Dunnocks are being seen again after they have completed their moult, and very striking birds they are too. They get lumped in with the other little brown jobs, but they are much better than that I think.

Dunnock

Dunnock

To finish on a cutesy wootsy set of images, a flock of Long-tailed Tits gave very good views as they came close to me. I took loads of photos but, as usual, most of them were of bird-less twigs as they don't stay still for long!

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit looking for its next titbit