Thursday 5 September 2013

Speckled Woods

I have been off over the last few days-some sort of virus according to the doctor, which might have got going over the bank holiday, but got worse on Monday. As a result I have spent a lot of time keeping an eye on the garden to little effect.
Juvenile Goldfinches have been appearing again-must be the third brood this year, but there is a distinct lack of anything else apart from the Wood Pigeons and Collared Doves. When I have been outside, I have occasionally heard hirundines overhead, unfortunately its been many years now since House Martins and Swallows could be expected throughout the summer and they are now predominantly autumnal birds.
Butterflies have also been a bit scarce, considering the numbers I have been seeing recently when out and about. The large number of nectar producing plants has not attracted much at all, and the Small Whites are only visiting to lay eggs on the nasturtiums. The one odd visitor has been Speckled Woods, which seem to be present all the time at the moment, maybe half a mile from the nearest bit of wood. Mind you, the bottom of the garden is looking more woodland edge every year so maybe one or two passing individuals have decided to stop over..
Not he first time they have visited the garden, but its not a species I expect to see.

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