Ascendant

There is nothing quite like the sound of a skylark, but even with 20/20 vision, an excellent camera and a telephoto lens they are still difficult to see (top picture) but further digital enlargement makes them a bit clearer . This skylark was singing above a field of miscanthus (elephant grass) that was cropped recently so maybe they can use these otherwise barren fields to nest in.

Martinot line update

So far so good. After some hesitation, the martins have completed one nest and are well on the way to finishing the second nest. It sounds as if a martin is sitting in the nest on the right. The pesky (but much loved and well fed) sparrows have not tried to take over the nest or intimidate the martins yet, but we may have to risk life and limb to extend the Martinot line along to the corner of the eaves because as history shows the enemy can always go round the the undefended corner at the top.

udder joy

So that's what milk is really for.

bullfinch fat ball

who's calling me fat? Female bullfinch and sparrow together. Possibly a young bullfinch as they seem to be breeding nearby.

popular picture

This handsome and chubby moth is the poplar hawk moth. Normally it flies at night and rests up during the day. The flashes of red brown at the base of the hind wing are characteristic, as is the generally pale brown grey colour of the fore wings. This moth trembled a lot presumably as a defence display, and it was happy to fly off when finally released. It also has the unusual habit of holding its hindwings in front of its fore wings when at rest as can be seen below. It is the commonest of our hawk moths. Although it has a proboscis, the adults do not feed.

It was warm and sunny today. Bees were out in large numbers (but no butterflies) and it feels like the year is finally back on its proper trajectory. It is sumptuously green.