Back On The Patch

When not busy with those things that just keep needing doing, I've been keeping an eye on certain bits of the Patch, in the [probably vain] hope of 2nd gen. butterflies.
Also, things have been getting busy in the Skygarden, with some entertaining interactions between 1st and 2nd brood Blackbirds, as you shall see.....

Summer on the Riviera

Well, some people are enjoying the weather.

Not just people!

Voice Of Attenborough:
"Here, on the Serengeti..."

Woolly-looking Spear

Butterfly numbers are falling with the ongoing drought, with the most numerous species on the wing now being these little things;

Six-spot Burnet Moth

on Wild Marjoram

And on Meadow Thistle

Marbled White, clinging on

Kidney Vetch, also still going

In amongst the grasses

Creeping Thistles 

laugh at droughts

So while the grasses are all browned, so far the legumes et al are still green. Good for some, not so much for others. Ach, when will we get some rain??

Ahem.


Right, time for a vast number of pics taken through glass, with the usual reflections and dirty bits associated with that.

Behold, the Black[ish]birds!!

Swallow-tailed Blackbird

"I am not part Song Thrush, you cheeky blighter!"

Frankenstein's Blackbird

Naumann's Blackbird

Strike a pose, darling

"Does my bum look big in this plumage?"

"Are you my Mummy?"

Simultaneously: "Feeed meee!!"

Who ate all the pies mealworms?

So, three fresh 2nd brooders, there.
While the photo doesn't lie, and the one on the right is bigger, it's the one in front in this shot that's the most, er, 'vociferous' as they say, frequently driving the others off the scratching patch [that's the remains of it up there, full of juicy mealworms and suet bits when loaded by yours truly] the last couple of mornings. The suet block feeder hangs above this point, so when the older ones have a go, the bits fall there, thus prime position!

It is not all Black though, with Coal Tits still zipping in for sunflower seeds, and while most of the Greenfinches are off moulting, you still get some colour,

Tucking in to Vine House Farm's finest

Going old skool

One of two juvie Blue Tits

"Oi, I'm trying to moult here"

Foxy!

Yes, that was awful even by my standards, but a night shot that you can [just about] recognise? Priceless. Also probably unique.


Ok, that's it.


Be Seeing You...