Another scorcher of a day.
Day spent on the camera system, managed to get six working again which included two hedgehog boxes so fingers crossed.
Two moths last night I managed to photograph. Good to see a small blue butterfly and the leaf cutter bee in action.
A good day today.
Picture 1 - Mouse found the Leaping Frog table cloth last night.
" 2 - Small blue butterfly.
" 3 - Insect in the moth trap.
" 4 - Speckled wood butterfly close to the pond.
" 5 - Leaf cutter bee action.
" 6 & 7 - Moths.
" 8 - Cables and stuff for monitor.
A hot day, brilliant.
Today was all about preparing for the bbq tonight. Our yearly bbq with the neighbs'.
In between preparation I cut another hole in the fence for the hedgehog. Do hope I see some action in the hedgehog homes once the cameras are up and running.
A good few butterflies and bees about today. Still very few moths however.
BBQ got off to a flying start at 6.30pm when Lulu and Clive arrived followed soon after by the neighbs'. A good evening, as usual at these events finishing the evening around the fire.
Picture 1 - Bumble Bee.
" 2 - White Butterfly.
" 3 - Shield Beetle.
" 4 - Cricket?
" 5 - Hole in the fence for Hog.
Another hot day but actually pretty chilly by early evening.
Good news in seeing the hedgehog about still, pretty sure we have two. At each end of the garden.
Further cables have arrived for the monitoring system so looking forward to the weekend and making a start. Have started removing the existing cables, easier said than done.
Spent the afternoon at Men's Shed Whitley, helped a few more locals with a hedge trimmer now working and a puncture repaired on a recently bought bike. Word is getting around now so think this set up will be a success.
Enjoyed an evening bbq at the Mullens, meeting their family again, last seen three years ago at the last Leaping Frog Festival.
A hot day, wall to wall sunshine all day.
Had been looking forward to this day for some time to experience the Countryfile Live show, first show of its kind but oh dear. Seven hours in traffic leaving only four hours to cover the show. Four hours from Reading to Oxford and three hours for return trip. Was shattered on arriving not putting us in the right frame of mind to enjoy the show. Clearly was a good show so will want to return another year but will leave early morning to avoid the traffic.
Summer returns. Warm and sunny all day.
Having at last worked out what has been going wrong with the camera system it was a day spent starting to put right. Common sense did not prevail when I started working on the system. None of the connecting joints were sealed against the elements which meant moisture has penetrated into the joints. Amalgamated tape is what was required and a 20 meter roll is being delivered tomorrow.
Managed to get five working by tonight using such tape I already had. A little way to go yet but at least the cause (thanks Colin) has been acknowledged.
From previous posts you will be aware I have spent a fair amount of time sitting by the pond waiting for the emergence of a dragonfly, what happened today, a common hawker flew into the conservatory at lunchtime. not the best place for a photograph but at least I do have a record of the moment.
Picture 1 - Tufty resting or waiting for next delivery of monkey nuts.
" 2 - Waspy fly thingy.
" 3 - Cameras back in action.
" 4 - Common hawker in the conservatory.
So warm and yet so wet. Awful day but there again the gardens were desperate for water. Butts now full again so ready for the next dry spell.
Being so wet not much I could do outside so worked indoors mostly sorting out my photographs now have a good system in place. Also worked out my agenda for the Birdfair. Will be an early start on the 19th as a talk on Swifts commences at 9.30am. Over the years I have never noticed lectures about swifts so keen to be part of this one.
Good to see another hedgehog at the bottom of the garden. Another one was seen by the side gate so all good news. Fun to see a cat thinking he had found a mouse habitat when in fact it is home to a hedgehog.
Picture 1 - Fungi on a sunken log in the pond.
" 2 - Insects on a thistle.
" 3 - Lily beetle, there were two on an agapanthus plant.
" 4 - Magpie feeding on mealworms.
" 5 - Young & adult goldfinches.
" 6 & 7 - Cat disturbing a hedgehog.
What a contrast to yesterday, very mild but also very wet this afternoon and evening.
Weather good this morning however which enabled us to enjoy the garden with Janet and Colin.
Colin was helping me with the latest Windows 10 updates working alongside Picasa & Photoshop. All coming together now so feeling pretty pleased, just need to sort out the monitoring issues now.
Great images of the hedgehogs picked up by trail cam. Almost for sure we have two, one at each end of the garden. Really good news.
Nothing else to report as most of the day was spent with Colin.
Did pack up the swift call gizmo for another year - Boyo, do you still want me to buy one from the Birdfair, cost me £50 last year. Let me know please by the 18th August, cheers.
Picture 1 - Moth on a garden table this morning.
" 2 - The annual wildlife sleep out lasted all of an hour this morning, 12 - 1am. Had to
come in as the moths were attracted to my night vision head lamp!!
" 3 - Swift Call gizmo.
