Anne's Journal

Saturday September 30 Cold nights have meant poor moth traps this last week. Numbers are low but so are the species. Despite this, some 'good' moths have been found. Autumn moths are appearing in increasing numbers. The lovely brocade velvet of the Black Rustic, attractive Mallow, and the various Sallows. The Mallow Large Ranunculus   Centre-barred Sallow  Many beetles, dead and dying wasps and hornets, are an unwanted bycatch, now joined by shield bugs and Caddis flies. The only shield bugs we trap are Hawthorn or Red-legged Shield Bugs in a variety of instars. As we have a hawthorn hedge running the length of the property, this is not surprising. This morning, it was sad to find the remains of our fifth Clifden Nonpareil scattered around the actinic. A bat or a bird had a good breakfast.

 Wednesday September 20 We certainly would not have chosen to spend the day out with the forecast of strong wind and rain, the tail end of a gale from the Atlantic. The annual hawthorn hedge trimming had begun before we left home. Today, the hedge was also due to be taken down in height, long overdue. I used to be able to trim it from standing, it now needs a platform. Preparation had begun a few weeks ago when the side border had needed severe pruning and clearing so that Adrian could actually get to the hedge. He started by using his father-in-law's more powerful petrol trimmer today - until it leaked. He then had to go back to his electric model. Sam picks up the pieces, not a nice job, especially as she doesn't wear gloves. Her hands are tiny and she can't get a pair that fits. We were glad to escape. Nothing of note in our stops along the way, we arrived at Snettisham about two hours after a high, 6.7 metre tide. Early enough to see a pit island still heaving with Blac...

 Sunday September 17 Earlier this week, after a morning full of appointments - and with enticing news of goodies passing by Cley, we drove to Bacton car park.  I scanned the sea and found - nothing. Not even a gull species. About to give up, a small passerine landed on the fence in front of us. Our second  2023 Norfolk Wheatear. They had been few and far between before going to Scotland where we saw plenty to enjoy . We managed one sighting on the Eye Field. Through the windscreen From my window after it had flown on.

  Thursday September 14 The morning had been consumed by Pam's visit to the orthopaedic consultant at the Norwich University Hospital. Another we haven't forgotten you ,almost waste of time. She was referred for another xray and told she was one of twenty on the hip revision (replacement of a replacement) list. And, of course, young people and those with urgent needs came first. A 2.00 p.m. start for Hickling Reserve, we haven't been for a few weeks. Common Red Dragonflies flew like clouds of thistledown, some landing on the top of a five-bar gate. I tried to photograph them through Pam's open window, the results were execrable. Parking the car near the pathway up to the top of the bund from which one can view some of Brandon's Marsh, I used my Rollator to carry my scope and camera up the rise.  The birds are distant from here but I loved just sitting and scanning. It was not too hot , the wind light, with occasional sun. A Great Egret graced the far end of the near...

Tuesday September 12 Ever observant Pam, looking out of the kitchen window, saw a movement inside the squirrel-proof cage surrounding some fat balls, high in the fig tree. She managed this one photo - much enlarged - before it scurried off. However did it get up there? Mice are good climbers and this proves it. A Sparrowhawk visits the feeders almost daily - and is successful too often for our soft hearts. Pam has stopped it from sitting on top of the bird table (!). Andy W has a Goshawk visiting his home, often passing low over the patio, how wonderful.  We've had some good moths over the last few days. Another two immigrant Convolvulus Hawkmoths, making it a record 7year 2023 catch for the garden. Not the best marked Vestal, but another wanted immigrant for the moth-ers list. Centre-barred Sallow is a splendid Autumn appearing moth, such rich fall colours. Always a show stopper although becoming more frequent over the last two years, the superb Clifden Nonpareil or, more mundane,...

 Thursday September 7 Our actual nine hour day out was last Monday, the fourth. Since then, we have had three moth sessions, including an 'extra' yesterday at Weeting Nature Reserve. That was another early start for a scheduled 9.30 beginning, crossing Norwich during the rush hour. We made good time, arriving ten minutes early to find only three other people there. Peter C from our group, Stewart, and Alison, two moth-ing regulars. We were later joined by James, the extremely knowledgeable warden at Weeting, who had put the traps out. There were plenty of moths, with some 'good' ones that we rarely or never trap at home e.g. Feathered Gothic, Hedge Rustic, Clay Triple Lines and Tawny-barred Angle. Back to Monday.  I have been struggling with Firefox refusing to upload photographs to my Blog. To-day, I switched to Edge. Same problem. Then Google. At last, cucumber photo uploaded, here we go. Such a lovely early Autumn day. An Indian Summer - as seems normal, we always re...

Wednesday September 6  Well, I thought it had been forgotten. It was actually too high for Pam to reach so had to wait until Adrian was here - he's a six footer. The cue is not that big but a real whopper. A foot and a half long and 975 grams in weight.   Although perfectly good for eating, it was much appreciated by next door's tortoise. Moth Update Rosy Rustic Bordered Beauty Seven-spot Ladybird