Whilst the continuing easterly winds have suppressed the numbers of birds there has been an added bonus. The stiff north-easter has driven relocating Red Kites south of the downs and onto the coastal strip. The last two days I have had a total of eight over the garden, the first wave was four birds which tracked north east and were observed by other birders. I don't have to scan the skies for them, I just wait for the resident Herring Gulls to go up in alarm.
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The regular Sparrowhawk paid a fleeting visit but this time, when I pointed the camera at him, he skedaddled. The three Jays have become two and these appear to be an item, now visiting together, several times day. A vociferous Wren has taken up residence in the far corner of the garden - you just can't miss it when he bursts into song. One always turns up around this time and has done for many years.
We have a pair of Collared Doves visiting the feeders, they also turn up most years but I have no idea where they nest and I have never seen any obviously young birds.
Last night I deployed the moth trap for the first time, with the low temperatures a bit optimistic. The light was on for about nine hours and we had a grand return of four moths of three species. I hope it picks up a bit when the warmer weather arrives.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDx-G4l4izpykCWCIyNwL0F04A7GIGq2F7rdk6Tj2aGB4dgVz6CNTLKOiNoxCYFJ-m5aMEzcGz_dQ1xppAgBCuRr4pb5xYDacaDwY9doCswJDWfHb137Q7eZVjJhebQ69imVfcHeazrpq/s640/moth19601.jpg) |
Hebrew Character |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sHBqj8j3HmOIhQfm-iuYsF5SmZAKqZJ_6bDq6801gjqmzhKMFaprNx1uUPq0a35dpWBCdFPzAFVEOwAKV5ggETZ7V1Wc2ffnJlCr76UbMcAhz1XpBU8U97UrMYjU0Pw24iDJs2PJnhXM/s640/moth29605.jpg) |
Early Grey |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy39LblRzqT-e4xQY9xqnzZU-d_8xWMR5KoaYmU4lqGdqpU7aul7XIPjzvRZlF8xvO5Vs3mNByl7UJihSYY5yOoqq51vrXNCNmcKeaYud0IkLgc22_jW9Xe34qVvjFjf_jGe3xeh7GWa8J/s640/moth29608+-+Copy.jpg) |
Early Grey |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlClyNy9t98t5I8CIigY86RaHDdhyphenhyphencDbbbT2N5Wt5oQr5Th25PdBYrqhJRjlybMRXNM6Hw7D-Pa7zd15O1LWLgL76elqgSHLlPoWkJfqUykI-YZxTqqPP1IK-Prz0mRoSWEFbeqzcRDJZ/s640/moth39611+-+Copy.jpg) |
Common Quaker |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvLeF4BWhI45-Cn5z-D9LP_4BgkdJIEp-8noZqt6kyjZwRTcTztBPuIZ8KqPpBf_z9_Dfdra24N_AwsPvipHjz8Ez6gSmDx-oaT_aeZeplmmPOpJGwM2rbHu_2R4WSEwSHNU-pJJMD2xC/s640/moth39612+-+Copy.jpg) |
Common Quaker |
In the greenhouse the welcome arrival of some colour in the form of Pleione orchids, nothing rare, just common or garden varieties that are easy to grow almost anywhere. I hope that in the coming weeks I will get to sow Bee Orchid, Ophrys apifera seed and also some Pyramidal Orchids. The dactylorhizas are doing well and I now have upwards of 70 plants in pots, I will be pleased if half of them survive.