That's Birding

 Saturday February 25

Armed with a folded copy of Saturday's Telegraph cryptic crossword puzzle and a copy of Which Gardening magazine, we set off for a raptor watchpoint. We were not early, they need the thermals anyway and it was a pretty cloudy morning, we arrived at the small viewing area near the Church. It does give a good vantage point over a large open area to woods beyond, with some elevation.

No sooner had Pam stopped the car and picked up her bins than she called, ' big bird ahead, over the wires, rising from the trees'. We watched a Goshawk soaring tantalisingly nearer before gliding rapidly away, dropping out of sight beyond the trees. We'd watched it for about five minutes, never near, but very enjoyable views.

That's probably the shortest time I've ever had to wait for views of this bird. My distance vision is no longer anywhere near as good as Pam's, I depend on her for the distant specks. My crossword and magazine remained untouched.

Moths

Still very slow, even though we choose relatively warm and still nights to put the traps out. We are now up to 11 species of macro for the year.

Hebrew Character  - not to be confused with Setaceous Hebrew Character seen later in the year.


 

Satellite. Will take a better photo I hope, not using a white background next time. 


 

Dark Chestnut. Pam assures me that it shows the spots in the right position to distinguish this from Chestnut as per James Lowen's beginners Moth book. Any other opinion?

 



 

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