That`s a great set of photos, Mike. Something for you to look back on with fond memories and for us to look at in envy. Regarding bird names, I went on a safari to Kenya in Nov 2007. Whilst it was great seeing the mammals, I got a bit bored after 4 or 5 days seeing the same ones over and over again ...

Hi Phil, Great photos and report of your holiday in Tenerife. We may be experiencing (almost ) Tenerifian temperatures in the UK at the moment but I doubt if they can compete with our rainfall ! I would suggest the bird in question is Canary Islands Chiffchaff ( Phylloscopus canariensis ). Common on...

Such talent, Jack ! Hope you have a great birthday.

Jenks.

p.s I`m in no doubt that Wee Nikki was pointing to a "duck" flying past.

Great report and photos. Looks like a wonderful place to be. And I agree with Trevor - definitely produces a case of Mr Greens in the reader !

Your report reminds me of Easter 1992 when 10 intrepid birders from the Glamorgan Bird Club drove up to Scotland in a hired mini bus and toured the highlands staying in youth hostels. We drove along the Cockbridge to Tomintoul road in conditions much like those in your photo. Whenever I hear the BBC...

We`ll have to christen you the "Copper-king" !. Your reports of finding Small Coppers and your photos are a joy to read and see.

Jenks.

So pleased to read that Minnie was retrieved, without harm. And what a piece of inspiration by les pompieres; wrapping your sweatshirt around a stick and dropping it down a crack between the boulders to draw Minnie`s attention to it. In the South Wales valleys we have numerous holes and cracks in fi...

David, I`ve long believed the Met Office prepares its forecasts with London, the south and the south east in mind, and take little or no interest in the rest of us. Back in July when we were promised a heatwave, and indeed I was sitting at home watching tennis at a sweltering Wimbledon, the rain was...

That website for those interested is www.portlandbirdobs.blogspot.co.uk.

4 and 5 September 2015 ; As the season draws to a close I decided to spend a couple of days down in Wurzel county reasoning that this would be my last chance to catch up on some species and also best chance of migrant birds dropping in. The morning of 4th was spent in Lulworth walking both Bindon Hi...

Thanks Pieter for those images and the accompanying text. Here in south Wales we are lucky to have a site where DGF and HBF are on the wing at about the same time ( as David and others will confirm ! ) and identification of the 2 species often presents problems ( well to me anyway). The info you hav...

Your first photo is a male Migrant Hawker, the second photo a female Common Darter. Your photo of the Migrant Hawker shows the yellow "golf tee" on the 2nd segment brilliantly, which is diagnostic.

Jenks

[quote="trevor"]Part 4. With the weather near perfect..... Blimey, it feels like another world here ! The third day of unrelenting rain ( Wed through to today ) and the forecast for tomorrow and Sunday is for more of the same. I envy you your chance to go in search of butterflies, I`ve bee...

Hi Pauline, you`re up early to post your messages ! The photo of the birds of prey... I can`t make out any colours but the bird on the right especially looks to have a tail that is indented at the base, which would indicate Red Kite. Also the wing tips (primary feathers) on the bird on the left show...

Hi Wurzel, just to add my two pennorth to your question, my records over the last 10 years give me the latest dates that I have seen Green Hairstreak as 11 June 2015 at Fairwood Common, Gower and 19 June twice ( 2006 and 2008 ) on Westleton Heath, Suffolk and at Martin Down, near you. No later dates...

18 and 19/7/15. had a great day at Bentley Wood,18/7/15 with 22 species seen, as follows. Ringlet, Gatekeeper,Meadow Brown, Small Skipper,Silver washed Fritillary (incl 1 valezina type) , all in profusion. Marbled White 9, Small White 5, Large White 3, Comma 7,Essex Skipper 7,Large Skipper 5, Purple...

Hi Bill.

I must echo the sentiments of others; great report and fabulous pictures ( as usual ! ) from you. I must take inspiration from your motto and " venture out " this weekend. Now if you could inspire the weather to behave it would make all the difference.

Regards,

Jenks.

Hi Allan, I`ve just returned from spending 2 days in Salisbury. On Friday, 5 June, at Martin Down ( off the A354 Salisbury to Blandford road) I found 3 Marsh Frits just north of the old gun emplacements. They still looked in reasonable condition too so you could still be lucky there. Also, Small, Co...

Welcome back and it`s great to see the level of commitment you have made to butterflies and the environment in general. Look forward to seeing more posts and hearing how things are going on your reserve.

Jenks.

Hi,
re the Lark photos, Thekla Lark ( Galerida Theklae ) is a possibility but Thekla is usually found at higher altitudes than Crested, has a much shorter bill and the crest is not as pointed or spiky as Crested. Looking at your photos I would say Crested fits the bill ( no pun intended ! ).

Jenks