Back at the Old Vic

Been home for over a week now playing catch up. Top homestead news is that we have a breeding pair of Rook in the Ash tree (a new breeding garden species). Otherwise pretty quiet on the garden bird front, a singing Chiffchaff is the only other thing of note. 

The moth action has picked up a bit but most of my efforts have been scuppered with wind and rain. 

Not much to report on the mini-farm or garden habitats front because we will be moving soon but at some point we will need to tidy up the garden for sale viewings. The property will go on the market in 4 weeks time. 

In the mini-zoo we are now at 95 species (give or take a few things that have disappeared) and will make sure we hit the 100 species target this Easter holiday. 

In other news, there has been a couple of technological advances- the campervan now has its own mobile wifi and I've finally taken the plunge and bought a new Canon R7 mirrorless camera although have still not been brave enough to spend another £2500 on the new 100-500mm lens yet so currently using the old lenses with an adaptor. 

The beginning of an Old Vic Rookery

Testing out the new R7 on the garden birds . First time I've had a camera where I can bluetooth the images to my phone and edit them on lightroom on the phone- so no need for a laptop 

Lead-coloured Drab has been the best moth recently, although Oak Nycteoline (below) is quite a scarcity in the garden too 

Not sure what this Orthosia is- presumably one of the pale Clouded Drabs or maybe an aberrant Quaker.  290323 update- see comments, it's another Lead-coloured Drab (thanks Stewart) 

A nice haul of Spring moths- March moth, Clouded Drab, Hebrew Character, Twin-spot Quaker, Chestnut, Lead-coloured Drab and Small and Common Quaker

The mini-farm in March- even though we won't be here to reap the rewards will plant this up for the house viewings 

It has not stopped raining and the flood waters are rising round here. One of the hens has got completely drenched - a job for later is water proofing the hen coop more

The Giant Atlas Moths emerged in the Paludarium although the male died after a few days and the female mysteriously completely disappeared- presumably either escaped or got eaten (!?) by the Chameleon 

A bit of drama in the reef tank (below) when the Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp and 3 Hermit crabs attacked one of the Orange Marbled Snails which they killed ate and then one of the Hermit crabs moved into the new larger shell 

The soft corals are coming along well in the reef tank. 

The garden temporary stream is flowing fast at the moment- plenty of water around and lots of flooded fields which is good for spring waterbirds 

Very sad to be moving from here although there may have been a break through on the relocation front with a possibility now we may be able to implement plan A- will see, the best way to describe this whole situation is fluid.