hirundines

swifts are the fighter squadrons of the bird world, they look like scimitars as they flash past, often in formation as below.

swallows are smaller, have much longer tail streamers, and have white breast feathers. Martins are similar to swallows but have forked tails rather than streamers. And they are nesting successfully behind the barrier!

what it is NOT all about

the result of banking profits, destruction of the environment, no time for consultation, money before everything else.

what it is all about

meadow brown (above) and ringlets (below) mating today

things are warming up

Above, the first tortoiseshell of the year that we have seen , and below Spot's favourite fungus, the well named and well endowed stinkhorn.

guest appearance

It seems that everyone is keen to appear on Spot's blog, including this visiting prince looking for his princess. This was a large and vigorous common frog (identified by the black mark around the eye extending to the ear behind) enjoying the warmth.

the admiral's return

The first red admiral I have seen this summer. It was flying very briskly, so much so that the vibrations from the wing were audible.