SATURDAY 16th July 2011

Here we have Rain !

Saturday 16^th July  -  Rainy & rather clammy outside with the odd patch of Sun peering around the edges of Dark Columbus Clouds !

A ‘Fledgling Jay’ had managed to get inside one of our Chicken Runs - it couldn’t get out so was panicking – Himself went in to help the little distraught Bird.    It created an incredible loud screech - it was  many many decibels of  Sc r e e c h ing whilst being held but not for long as Himself released the poor little thing to it’s family.  Am quite Sure it won’t be making this mistake again as they are a member of the ‘Corvid’ Family – Who do Learn Fast! Link >   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corvidae

Sunday 17^th July  -  Sadly today past with Chores around the House!

Monday 18^th July  -   And the ‘Angels’ of the Garden were not flying about as usual (Butterflies) the weather was  giving us an extra Rainfall which was much appreciated after the parched grounds over the last months,  it was most welcomed !

A Lone ‘Sparrow’ was almost unseen pecking away at it’s breakfast in the ‘Bird House’  because it was quite dark this morning with that ‘smudged sky’  again !

7.30p.m   The Rain had paused for Five or Six ‘Jackdaws’  who seemed  to be searching for a small morsel to eat amongst the top of the Hedge in the front garden , quite a Scene to watch, mystery as to what they were eating !

Tuesday 19^th July  -  And it’s another Dark dingy day out there but we Do need Rain !

Click on Picture to see Youngster  in middle 

1.04p.m   Have just washed my hair – looked in the long mirror and not only saw myself but a pretty little ‘Sparrow’ struggling to stay on the telegraph wire outside,   the wind was powerful , she was a youngster, still wearing a yellow beak  And had taken the toll of that wind for long enough, so had to  make that flight a good one.  Am guessing it was a little daughter of ‘Narcissus’  !   I stood watching her for a few minutes to see that she was safe – she was changing foot positions with much wobbliness, trying to get her  balance !

Wednesday 20^th July  -  Seems that the ‘Narcissus’ Family are Out Gritting in our drive, three youngsters and both Parents.

A Beautiful Tortoishell enjoying the Warm Sunshine on the Privet Hedge

Link > http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/408.shtml

Been down the bottom of the Garden a few times today and couldn’t fathom out where that beautiful  fragrance  came from “Well, I now know” !  it’s the ‘Privet’s Blossom ‘  .  Most people would never get to enjoy this beautiful aroma around the Garden as they ‘Trim’ their Hedges,  Bald !

The different Bee Species enjoyed it too !

Late night Shop into Town and the Sky is that Wedgwood Blue with feathered light Brush strokes here and there, a Sky full of promise !

Thursday 21^st  July  -  A  warm morning, still some Cloud but good enough to get some demolition Weeding done out in the front garden as a large collection had rather taken over in awkward places and “so sorry to say these ones have to go” !

I noticed an exceptional gathering of Crows lined up along everyone’s Roof’s and the ‘Sparrows’ were collecting a juicy feast from the Hedge, looked like easy pickings as lots of pick pick picking for many a minute.

Friday 22^nd July  -  Peeked through the Curtains and saw  the ‘Narcisuss’ Family  having a Clean-Out !  Kicking Dust particles all over the place from up above the Eaves., well at least all the 'Peskies will leave'.

 Arose to a beautiful Fresh morning with plenty of ‘Plans’ for that Nature Trail once again.  And ...........

The 'Male' Common Blue 

A  Vivid Blue Butterfly flew past me on my left side just as I was leaving the ‘Wasteland’ so approached with some caution and was able to take many pictures as it stayed quite still for many minutes, I had never seen one around here before !

     

Saturday 23^rd July  -  What A Fab Day – An early venture to ‘Wasteland’ to take a few pics of those gorgeous plants , also the Bees of many different Species - some that I didn’t recognise at all.   A large ‘Black Crow’ sent out an ‘Alarm Call’ that I’d arrived so there was no hope of seeing any 'Warblers'.

Results of  'Worm' 

Link > http://www.wikihow.com/Control-Codling-Moth-Organically < It's the 'Worm' that causes problems not the 'Moth'.

Himself returned from the Wood saying that a ‘Squirrel’s’ teeth marks were left in a dropped Apple not far from where I last took his picture scampering up a Tree.  He Was  our ‘Apple’  Thief!   We hadn’t many left as forgot to ‘organically’ protect our Trees in time before the ‘Codling Worm’ munched it’s way through almost everyone !  “Learn the Hard way”

'Carningli'

Pembrokeshire Coast > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pembrokeshire_Coast_National_Park &
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A8130908 & http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preseli_Hills

'Carningli'  Was where we stopped to take that ‘Picnic’ with a View all around,  the ‘Neolithic’ history on one side and the wide and open Sea on the other with a Sky full of ‘Red Kites’ just perfect !

The Coast 

Heading towards St.Davids we veered off before the busy Town onto an 'Unadopted' Road & Cattlegrid (which was signposted as such.) Link > http://www3.lancashire.gov.uk/corporate/atoz/a_to_z/service.asp?u_id=1065&tab=3&siteid=5409&pageid=29027&e=e

We decided to pay ‘Saudersfoot’ a visit and managed to find a ‘Free Parking space’ immediately, which was a short walk down to the Town Centre where we bought Strawberry ice-creams – lush !

Walking along the beach found various different Stones, of which our Son is an ‘Avid Collector’ !  Both Lads were laden down in All Pockets, including my Eco Friendly cloth Bag, a way to go dragging your trousers off one’s waist.  Noticed the ‘Crisp’ Burnt Humans exposed to all the Sun’s Rays still trying to colour-up !

The New Stones

Driving Home with the Windows wide open we experienced that exact same ‘Scent’from our Garden Hedge which  filled the Car !  There was a Roadside of Naturally grown ‘Privets’ - "We should see more of this" !

The Bees in our Garden were gathering their ‘Nectar’ from within the Hedge but only where the Sun shone as a touch cool this evening, now that we’re home.

Sunday 24^th July  -  A Dull sort of a Day And the Bees Are a Buzzing !

Here she is just before Closing Time !

Himself tells me later in the day that ‘Foxy’ may have been and help himself to Our ‘Maran’ Hen –  he was using the Forge whilst the commotion was a-happening, then suddenly heard Mr.Pheasant’s Alarm Call, it was perhaps too late ! ! !  6.23 pm  She always goes off for a wander !  And we thought the Worst !

Monday 25^th July  -  My Nature Trail took place earlyish 8.30 am peeking around ‘Wasteland’  and what a perfect morning to go as the Air was particularly warm and the Sun was just glimmering from around the edge of a Cloud.   I came upon a ‘Dragonfly’ it didn’t hang around for long,  it was for OFF !   Everyone was arriving at once -  ‘Hummingbird Hawk Moth’ my first sight of one, sadly too quick for me to take that Picture !
Link > http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Macroglossum_stellatarum

  A ‘Tabby Cat’ was heading in my direction and the ‘Birds’ were showing their distaste of it being there, until it saw me, then scampered off ! 

  < <   ‘Male Common Blue' Butterfly .

11.10 a.m  Was wearing my Reading Glasses to be able to see small details amongst the Hedge at the bottom of our garden, “well am glad I did”  A ‘Comma’ Butterfly was just having a Warm-up upon a Raspberry leaf !  “Must have been a ‘Newbie’ to our World” it’s formation and design were magnificent !

'Comma' Butterfly link > http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_9470000/9470125.stm

'Comma Butterfly'

'Peacock' Link> http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/text/1758/the_peacock_butterfly.html

Took this picture the following day on 'Wasteland'

In the wood now and came across ‘Peacock’ Butterfly with Wings open in All it’s splendour but sadly unable to fix camera for that moment !   It was extremely susceptible to any kind of vibrations or movements , so pretty difficult to take that Picture.

We were Weeding yet again the never ending task !

In between  the Weeding thingy went to search for a ‘High Brown Fritillary’ Butterfly or even the Caterpillar but sadly where I looked none of the ‘Wood  Violet’  leaves had been nibbled, unless I hadn’t covered enough ground – you see this particular Butterfly only lives during July and August for it’s Mating session then dies !  It’s Caterpillar enjoys eating the ‘Wood Violet’ leaves  and there was no evidence of this - the Butterfly is sometimes seen on the tips of the Bracken.Link> http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-13291513   &  http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/High_Brown_Fritillary

'Comma Butterfly'  Warming itself in a Sunny spot in our Garden

'Small Copper'

'Small Copper' Link> http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/Butterfly/17/Butterfly.html?ButterflyId=65&Country=cy&Size=&Colour=&Features=&Family=
Big Butterfly Count > http://butterfly-conservation.org/article/9/253/big_butterfly_count_gets_bigger.html

Did come across a ‘Lizard’s’ Tail – wasn’t sure it belonged to one until it moved and am pretty sure it’s one of the youngsters belonging to the Mother we  found pregnant, who is pictured on the 'next but one' blog.

'Eyebright' - latin - Euphrasia Officinalis

Link > http://www.virtualheb.co.uk/eyebright-wildflowers-western-isles.html

'Marsh Thistle' - latin - Cirsium Palustre

Link > 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cirsium_palustre 

'Male' Speckled Wood' taken in our Woodland

Link > http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/409.shtml

Picture taken at 'Wasteland'

Clover link > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trifolium_pratense & http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4738277.stm

3.10 p.m   Was about to sit down at the table with Another  (in our little Caravan) when a little ‘Wren’ flew up from the cushions !   Earlier I had noticed on the writing Pad that a tiny remnant of Bird Deposit !

*Sweetness* of a Tiny 'Wren'

Link > http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Winter_Wren#p007yfyv  &
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/characters/5

Tuesday 26^th July  -  8 a.m  Walking slowly to‘Wasteland’ and the Sun hasn’t fully formed that Glow.

Poor little Mite - quite plain wasn't 'Shrewd'

Link > http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Common_Shrew

The Neighbourhood  Birds see me as NO Threat because of my regular appearances.   It was early,  so surveyed the area from a distance and noticed the ‘Old Railway Station’ still stood the test of Time, where once a flurry of busy People went about their Business via ‘Steam Train’.

A thoroughly Wet Chewed Shrew was left behind and very dead !

 A ‘Gull’ was flying low to Bagsy the prize of left-behind food, totally surprised that the ‘Red Kite’ hadn’t already claimed it but their Range is Vast  and possibly elsewhere!    I searched around the rocks, stones and hedges – they must of heard me approach as a swarm of Insects surrounded me....ohhhh!

An Animal Track smelt of ‘Strong Fox Spraint’ then to recover from that nasty scent was surrounded by the Fragrant Sweet Scent from the Buddleia - it was now 8.35 a.m and the Sun started to make it’s Show of  Warm Colour.   Turned back round to continue where I’d started the search and there on a beam of wood warming itself was the Prize  ‘Peacock Butterfly’ this made the wait worthwhile ! 'Picture as Above'

The ‘Comma’ Butterfly returned to our Garden a couple more times today, it seemed to like nestling in between the lengthy growth of hedge which was in full Sun.

Wednesday 27^th July  -  The Morning Dew is heavy for the first time and there are No Bees A Humming or Butterflies having that Warm – perhaps they’ll appear once  that  Sun has eventually  shoved it’s way through the Thick Misty Haze !

8.15 a.m  And Himself says “Look Woody”  I peer out of the window to see a much larger Species and No Red on top of Head – it’s a ‘Great Spotted Woodpecker’ WoW.... not seen one – just a completely different World in Our Garden, probably because we let the Grass grow on the lawn !  ha ha  “Our Garden seems to be a ‘Trusty Old Soul’ for Wildlife, perhaps the ‘Chirp Words’ got around via the ‘telling Blackbird’ ! 
Great Spotted Woodpecker Link > http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Great_Spotted_Woodpecker

We live in a Most Beautiful Countryside Full of that Wonder and Surprise in everything we see -‘Saundersfoot’  has it All, Coast, Woodland, Rivers and Rocky Terrain !
Link > http://apersonalguide.co.uk/pembrokeshire/walking/tunnels.htm  &
http://apersonalguide.co.uk/pembrokeshire/towns/stepaside/index.htm

'Seal' behind rock on right

So we arrived at ‘Saundersfoot’ and parked ourselves amongst the Rocks after a short drive through some amazing Countryside.   What at first we thought was a Swimmer with a Shiny head was infact a ‘Seal’ I took a couple of pictures, unfortunately it was up and down continuously then it arrived with a ‘Flat Fish’ showing off with a ‘look what I’ve caught’ then seemed to wave with it’s flipper as though saying ‘Goodbye’.    By this time our Son and I were in the Water and something swam fast by my right foot, then another  “it was a ‘Flat Fish’, the Sea was Bubbling with Fish – they had arrived in the shallows to get out of their ‘Predator’s’ way, who was patrolling Very Close inshore! 

'Seal' link > http://www.snh.org.uk/publications/on-line/naturallyscottish/seals/lifecycle.asp

Looks like a 'Dab' Flat Fish

Dab Link > http://www.planetseafishing.com/species/Dab/

The Tide was heading in and a line of Ruffled Sea movement, not far from shore was splasing with Fish – the ‘Gulls’ took the opportunity to eat too!    It’s  1.05p.m  and the Sea has covered the Rocks we were sat on so removed  further up the Beach.   No sign of the, what could have been ‘Bull Seal’ but another ‘Slim head ‘ ‘Seal’ showed itself off and exceptionally nosy at that!

There's a Baby Squid between the 'Dabs' please excuse bad pic!

Squid Link > http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Squid

"I want to be alone"

Crabs Link > http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/collections/p00j5jg4

Rockpooling is Fun !

Link > http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/british-natural-history/seaweeds-survey/survey-take-part/index.html

There's hardly any Waves, just a trickle on the incoming and looks so clear and inviting to go in yet again – We did !

The Sun was still shining hot with a Warm breeze, we moved our equipment once again as there was a flow of Water being forced up by the  ‘Running Tide’ - The Tide had pushed up a 'Fresh Water Spring' and Water was running down the Beach towards the Sea !

After having had a delicious lunch watched a group of people squeezing themselves into a tiny ‘Outboard Boat’  with the hope of catching some Fish as one carried a Rod, the heavy weight didn’t leave much  visible Boat – unyet the little boat managed to carry them out quite a distance! 

By about 5.30 p.m we decided to Walk the stretch of Coast –in that beautiful warm Sea water and the rest on land, in between climbing Rocks and through Dark Tunnels to ‘Wiseman’s Bridge’.   We could see that the level of Sea had covered All the Rocks where we first Sat, just hope everyone else had the sense to  leave that Cove of Beach !

By the time we’d arrived home in our little Car, we were ‘Flakers’ and  falling asleep !

What a Fabulous Time had by All Three of  us !

Thursday 28^th July  -  It had Rained in the night -  the Air had a Fine Mist still about it with a Dark Sky, complete opposite to yesterday’s temperatures !

Friday 29th July  -  Weather very much like yesterday So am finishing off my Blog to Share And hope Our Adventures have made it Fun !                           

Overlooking 'Newport Coast' Pembs

Many Thank You's !