Weekend Wanderings

Had a nice long weekend. Friday evening moth trapping at the farmlands, Saturday at the Old Vicarage, Sunday family day out at Warwick Castle and today we had a family picnic at Bernwood Forest. As always there's nature exploring to do everywhere and anywhere- here's a few highlights. 

The Old Vicarage

Spotted Flycatcher- sorry to say I think it's just a single bird around this year (last year a pair bred at Holly's) 

Waved Black- a moth tick for me

Red Twin-spot Carpet (I think) - another moth lifer

Pebble Prominent- a new one for the Old Vicarage list 

and the Spotted Fly again in the garden

Bernwood Forest 

Silver-washed Fritillary - loads of these.  We also had quite a few Purple Hairstreaks and a frustrasting brief view of what looked like a Purple Emperor. More on Bernwood Forest HERE

Brown Hawker - a few of these hunting along the rides 

Waitrose picnic with Silver-washed Frits whizzing around and Purple Hairstreaks darting around at the top of the overhead oaks- most pleasant indeed

Warwick Castle 

Nice grounds laid out by the famous gardener Capability Brown. Lots of interesting trees, plenty of insects about and some really nice habitat along the River Avon

Lovely bit of river round the back of the castle

Bald Eagle (photo by Holly Showell who did indeed achieve a more superior photograph of a bird than me on this occasion and will remind me of it daily until the end of times) 

The most impressive bird of prey display I've ever seen- Andean Condor, White-tailed Eagles, Lammergeir (above), Bald Eagle (above) and Veraux's Eagle Owl. 

The Beddington Farmland Obs

The Wormwood- a first for the farmlands

Here's the Hedgehog from Thursday evening again- brilliant to see 

The Incinerator at night (while Hedgehogging). Like it or not this is to stay for at least a while and it certainly is a striking feature- just a shame our efforts to make industry and nature work together are failing due to Viridor's lack of commitment to the restoration and reserve development.  A devastating squandered opportunity for the future of this area. Just nice to get away from here nowadays.