Stuff

The Dorset trip report has been started but heaven only knows when I'll get to finish it. So, so busy at the mo with work and family and it's been so long since I ran the moth trap I can't remember how to switch it on!! For those interested in Dorset here are some potted highlights -

Grizzled Skipper
Dingy Skipper
Small Blue
Adonis Blue
Marsh Frit
Glanville Frit (more about that later!!)
Fox Moth
Mother Shipton
Forester
Blown Ford Focus Engine
Sand Lizard
Slow Worm
Dave being sick behind my car Sunday morning (and the bloke whose house he was throwing up outside bringing him a glass of water!!)
Golden Ringed Dragonfly
Pyramidal Orchid
Common Twayblade
Bird's Nest Orchid
Other Orchid type things
Manx Shearwater
Little Owl
Puffin
Crab sandwiches for breakfast
Burnet Moths
Guided tour of the ringing garden at Portland (Andy was very excited by this)
Tree Pipit
Other dragonflies

Erm...........think that's about it!!

Dorset

A fabulous weekend for all the right reasons but a shocker for all the wrong reasons which ended with us coming home in the small hours with my Focus being on the back of an AA truck and it needing a new engine. Andy was the star of the show with his AA membership but we still had to pay for the lift home!! Will post details of the birds, butterflies, moths, reptiles, orchids and dragons in the next day or so but thanks to Andy for his AA membership and credit card and to both him and Dave for their incredible patience...............

Dorset here we come.....

Well, the three amigos are all set for our trip down to Dorset tomorrow. The weather looks great so fingers crossed for a productive weekend. We will be at Portland on Sunday and I would like to think that I have an outside chance of connecting with probably my all time British bogey bird - Serin. As it happens neither Dave or Andy have seen one in the UK either so chances are that's the way it will stay that way!!!!

Painted Lady

Two at lunchtime today on the back of the recent massive invasion. Pretty sure I'll see a few more in Dorset this weekend!! Great Spotted Woodpecker and Bullfinch also.

Mighty Ayr United

In the last ever season at Somerset Park Ayr United FC clinched promotion to the First Division by beating Airdrie United in the play offs.

Ryan Stevenson's (above) first half goal was enough to take The Honest Men back to where they belong. Well done you boys.......

Trap Result 23/05/09

Lots of first for 2009 including Spectacle, Flame Shoulder, Elephant Hawk Moth, Rustic Shoulder Knot, Scalloped Hazel and Pale Tussock.

Brascote GP

What a site! We get a bit wader starved in Thornton but my first visit here was excellent. Two Little Stint were there but didn't hang around and flew of north after about half an hour. Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher and Curlew were also present as were Reed Warbler, Common Tern, Sand Martin and Grey Partridge. There for less than an hour but some excellent birding.......