Wildlife summer 2012

[Paul T]

Wow!  I wonder if they'll find the source of it?

[johnw]

I think they have a suspect.  Would the eruption not have registered on a seismograph?

If it washes ashore on the west coast I'm tempted to rent an truck and drive out to BC. 

johnw

[Hoy]

No doubt Anthony and Lesley will be out in their rowboats just about now.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/undersea-eruption-creates-pumic-raft/story-fn3dxix6-1226447601191

johnw

I thought that kind of things only happened in the Universe of Donald Duck and Uncle Scrooge? Small bits I've found even at the beaches at our summerhouse, but floating islands? Has anybody raised his flag yet?

[Hoy]

Looking forward to the update Maureen, thanks.

Sadly one of the rarest British insects I'll see this year, . Aglais urticae, The Small Tortoiseshell. OK, somewhat tongue in cheek, but should be one of the most common, but seems to be declining in numbers rapidly

I've not seen many here either. They used to be common.

100s or maybe 1000s of Green-veined whites in a field in County Fermangh

The population of whites dropped 90% here when I stopped growing broccoli in the kitchen garden 

[Anthony Darby]

No doubt Anthony and Lesley will be out in their rowboats just about now.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/undersea-eruption-creates-pumic-raft/story-fn3dxix6-1226447601191

johnw

Don't fancy being out at sea in a rowing boat at the moment. Very windy and wet, and anyway, we have a volcano of our own blowing off at the moment.

[johnw]

Don't fancy being out at sea in a rowing boat at the moment. Very windy and wet, and anyway, we have a volcano of our own blowing off at the moment.

Pumice delivered to your doorstep?

johnw - +20c at 21:37, drizzle, dense fog.

[Anthony Darby]

I had three lovely pieces from the beach in Bali, grey, brown and pink. Left them in sunny D. Will look for more when next we go to Muriwai with Heidi. I've collected some titanomagnetite sand from the beach there, some of it sticking to the magnetic clips of my Clark's sandals.

[Natalia]

Here such caterpillars now eat Gálium in our garden.

Caterpillar Hyles galii_9677
Caterpillar Hyles galii__9680
Caterpillar Hyles galii__9679

[Paul T]

Gorgeous caterpillars, Natalia.  Are the butterflies as beautiful?

[Natalia]

Paul, thank you

Butterflies are not bright, the color is mainly brown. Butterflies in the twilight, so I have not been able to make good photos. But I hope and watch for and take pictures

[mark smyth]

@ Natalia and Paul it the caterpillar of the Bedstraw Hawk Moth aka Gallium Sphinx moth. I would love to see both

[Natalia]

Mark, thank you
By all indications it is the caterpillar of Hyles galii from family of butterflies Sfingidae.

[annew]

My two swift chicks flew the nest last night 15 minutes after we took down the camcorder trained on the entrance because it became too dark. I took my eye off the ball because I watched the Olympic ceremony!
Farewell babies, safe journey. 

[daveyp1970]

Here such caterpillars now eat Gálium in our garden.

Caterpillar Hyles galii_9677
Caterpillar Hyles galii__9680
Caterpillar Hyles galii__9679

Bedstraw Hawk Moth WOW!!!!!!!!!

[angie]

My two swift chicks flew the nest last night 15 minutes after we took down the camcorder trained on the entrance because it became too dark. I took my eye off the ball because I watched the Olympic ceremony!
Farewell babies, safe journey. 

You just brought back a nice memory of when my mum stayed with me. We bought one of those boxes with the camera in and because my mum was housebound she watched these blue tits day and night. She watched them so much that the inside shape of the nest box was burned onto the tv screen and yes after god knows how many hours of her watching them she missed them leaving the nest, I remember how disappointed she was. At least for a few days after she was able to watch them in the back garden.

Angie