We had a good day today and I took a lot of photos, but I have to dedicate this post to the Marsh Fritillary. We met up with the very friendly John Nicholls. He showed me “Micro-Moths”. I have never heard of them before and if I had seen one on a Buttercup I would have thought it was some kind of bug! He showed us: Glyphipterix Simpliciella (aka Cocksfoot Moth) and Micropterix Calthella. Now, there is no way I could get a picture of these Moths, especially hand held so here’s some links to UK Moths’ website for anyone who is interested. Amazing!
http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?bf=391 and http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?id=723.
John went off hunting for Moths at Ninestones after our chat, only to return a short while afterwards to show us what he had really been looking for; Marsh Fritillaries. Not one, but two and copulating! They were beautiful. What a privilege. We took some pictures and then left the loving pair to it, under a leaf! We met up with Steve and Patricia a short while afterwards and went back to the site. By the time they parted they must have been copulating for about an hour and a half that we knew of, so who knows how long they were actually together. Roger told me this evening that he knew of a record of copulation, which was 9 days (I hope that’s right). The ones we saw looked exhausted today so I cannot imagine what 9 days would do to them! My photos are below, but treat yourself to a viewing of Steve Rogers’ images and information on the rare Marsh Fritillary at: http://www.swopticsphoto.com/
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. I took this one with my camera on Steve's tripod; Steve set up the camera and I just pressed the button!

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Apologies for the length of this post, but it has been a while! I have not had much time to myself lately. My work and my friend, Molly have been taking up most of my time, which is good in a way, as I am unable to walk too far. Never take your mobility for granted! I have been concentrating on bird watching, rather than taking pictures, so I have very little to show in the way of images for the last few weeks...
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The Moon this morning (taken from my back doorstep)
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The evening Moon from my back doorstep
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A gathering at Manoa (St Austell Sewage Works)

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Collecting nesting material at Ninestones

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Bullfinch (M) in the garden

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Robins in the garden

In the garden again

Ninestones

Par

Garden

Garden

Par

Wild Flowers

My best friend... Up to no good!

Amusement for my best friend!

Taken at Siblyback

A few more from last (long) weekend...
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We have spent the last two days down West. My day list yesterday was 55 and today it was 59. I saw the Choughs both days, feeding on dung, and I’ve fallen in love with them. We also saw the Spoonbill at Marazion today and I’m embarrassed to say how many pictures I took! It was adorable to watch. I must have spent an hour sprawled out on the wet bank waiting for movement. It just wanted to sleep most of the time, and on one leg! I was going to try and get some pictures of the Choughs today, but ended up looking for Yellow Browed Warbler and Booted Warbler with no success after what seemed like about an hour and a half! I admire those who are dedicated and stick it out until they find them. It’s thanks to them that we know these birds are around and sometimes have the pleasure of a glimpse of them. I tried Drift for some pictures of the Whooper Swan, but it was too far away and had to be scoped. Pity I never got the hang of digiscoping! John mentioned that there were four Spoonbills at Copperhouse so I asked Trevor if we could call in there on the way home, but were met with Oystercatchers, Redshanks, Greenshanks, Little Egrets, Gulls, Curlew and too many more to mention all in flight having just been flushed by a man with two dogs, without leads on and walking briskly straight across the middle of Copperhouse! Needless to say we did not see four Spoonbill!
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Marazion - Spoonbill
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Marazion - Pintail (if I've ID'd correctly, so feel free to let me know if I haven't!)
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Robin at Cot Valley for MA!

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Marazion - Red Admiral
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Fox - Nanquidno

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My last Devon post :-

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You cannot go to Devon without seeing Branscombe (a pretty little village with lots of flowers and birds!), after which we went to Beer; then Seaton (where we should have gone with friends a few weeks ago, but I was working, and hopefully we will do that soon). Seaton was great. The hide is perfect for an all round view and great for seeing Kingfishers. We then went to Powderham, Cockwood and then finished the evening at Dawlish Warren. It was a beautiful evening and having chased a Kingfisher around the pool, and then a Wheatear around the beach we decided we were too tired to go looking for waders (although it would have been a perfect time as the tide was low and the light was fabulous). Instead, we sat on the beach and watched the sun set. These are the last of my pics (I think!)...

Wheatear on the beach at Dawlish Warren...


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Robin at Seaton...

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Robin at Dawlish Warren...

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Carrion Crow - Dawlish Warren...

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Stonechat (It was acting very strange - I thought it may be a Whitchat at first)...

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Llamas (I think). We passed a gateway and I spotted them and summoned the Abbot to turn the car around and go back :-)

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Dragon Fly at Seaton...

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I think this may be the result of a hatched Moth or Butterfly. Spotted at Dawlish Warren. I do find some strange things - I was intrigued by it :-)

Today and Devon

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We've been to Walmsley today (with a quick look at Par on the way home). Met up with DJ and Tara and had a very relaxing day. Walmsley is such a tranquil place. My head count was 53 with the morning garden head count added on. Even when I think I'm taking it easy with the camera I still seem to take too many and I've not sorted out all my images from Devon yet, so today will have to keep for a little longer.

More from Devon...

Small Copper & Comma Burtterflies...




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