The other immediately evident thing was, in stark contrast to yesterday, a complete absence of hirundines over the water or in visible airspace - no a single one during the whole visit. A scan across the water toward the island did provide one unexpected City yeartick though with a drake Red-crested Pochard tucked up against the bank in amongst swans and geese. Walking around it was alive with Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps, but otherwise fairly quiet. Apart from the odd Reed Bunting singing, I picked up single singing Sedge Warbler and Willow Warbler - two more City yearticks.
As ever these days, the interest in birding waned and I slipped into general naturalist mode. Plenty of butterflies about, including my first Orange-tips and Large Whites of the year though none settled anywhere near me or long enough for a shot. A few more flowers out as well ...
Marsh-marigold
Cuckooflower
Common Dog Violet
When I got home, the Blackcap on the embankment next to the garden was really going for it. It woke me up singing this morning as well. Another first for the year butterfly flitted into view, a Holly Blue. I also found a big queen Buff-tailed Bumblebee in the garden; it was in the border clutching onto a fallen sallow catkin and nectaring like a maniac. It seemed to be drunk ...
Nothing exciting to report from the garden moth traps, nothing new for the year and low numbers (26 of 7sp). The traps are back on tonight, though not the usual traps. I have the 125W MV running and a 160W blended bulb due to this ...
What a twat! I dropped the actinic/tungsten vane assembly, shattering one tube, damaging the other and snapping a vane off. I will be repaired but off-line for a while. Photographed after cleaning up the glass .....
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