Hi Charles, I think that`s a Song Thrush. The repeated phrases are typical of Song Thrush although the habitat as described may not be so. ST`s usually sing from medium to high perches on trees and are usually visible. They don`t usually sing from low down or from deep cover. You will know what sort...

Thanks for posting this info re the funeral service, Phil. It`s much appreciated. I too will be at the service in Thornhill, hope to see you there.

Regards,

Jenks.

I`m shocked and saddened to learn of Bill`s death. I met him several times at sites in Wales and further afield. He was always great company and a great fount of knowledge on all parts of Natural history. As we both came from the same part of South Wales we had several mutual acquaintances and used ...

Hi Goldie, yep, defo a Mistle Thrush. Looks like it`s sitting in a bush containing berries. They get very territorial and chase off any other birds which come to feed on the berries. This behaviour was noted in Brecon town centre last week when a party of Waxwings arrived. 1 Mistle Thrush versus 17 ...

Catching up on your posts and photos from the last couple of months ( a joy to read and to view, as always). I visited Shipton Bellinger on 6 August this year and saw 4 Brostreaks, all males. That same morning a group from Hampshire Butterfly group were also there but they seemed to be doing far mor...

And there`s more.......... if your searches fail you could try the Portland Bird Observatory. They have a bookshop selling all aspects of natural history which is excellent ( I start drooling when I`m in there ! ). Tel no of the bookshop is 01305 826625 (usually open weekends only ) and the Obs cent...

Hi Chris, Arlequin used to publish "A Birdwatchers Guide to Crete", written by Stephanie Coghlan. The ISBN no. was 1 900159 10 4. I have a copy of the revised 5th edition dated 2001 so this may be a little outdated now. However, the book is a wonderful guide with site details, maps etc. Tr...

Hi Trevor, Love the photos. Dare we hope that the promised warmer weather spreading up from the continent by mid week will bring with it more Clouded Yellow, Hummingbird Hawk moths and even, perhaps, something blue with tails ?! It would be a great end to the season. The bird by the way is a Little ...

Well done Paul for putting forward a persuasive and articulate argument for retaining the elm tree during that interview. It cannot be easy to do this when facing a professional broadcaster. The press often portray butterfly enthusiasts or nature lovers in general in the same light as train spotters...

Has anyone seen, or heard of any, Purple Emperors being seen at Bentley Wood this year ? I`m anxious to get my annual " fix" of HIM and Bentley is the nearest location to me. I`d rather drive to that location than Fermyn wood which is a drive of approx.170 miles ! Any info would be appreci...

OMG ! You have my sympathy. The things we suffer from just to pursue an innocent hobby. I hope you`re " tick free" now and feeling better. Take care.

Jenks

Glad to hear you had a good holiday and took some fine photos of it. Two lifers might just make up for the poor weather ! The dragonfly is a Beautiful Demoiselle by the way. And aptly named, too.

Jenks.

Lovely photos, Pauline (apart from one !) I don`t blame you for not getting too close to that spider, if that had been me I`d be the one jumping !

Jenks.

Norfolk has so many great sites-- a nature lovers heaven ! Look out for Norfolk Hawker dragonflies at Strumpshaw. They patrol the ditches along the flower meadow. Brown body and bright green eyes ! I`m sure you`ll have a great time.

Jenks.

I agree with Philzoid and Wurzel re the damselfly. I`ve made the mistake in the past of calling a green damselfly "Emerald D. " and been corrected. Female Banded Demoiselle has tinted wings and the end of the abdomen is tinged bronze. Emerald D has clear wings and the body is completely......

Hi David, wish I`d known it was butterfly weather in Swansea. I was just the other side of Swansea, on the Loughor estuary, searching for a Gull billed Tern. Frequent heavy showers and a strong wind meant no self respecting butterflies were seen.....and no Gull billed Tern either ! Who was it who sa...

Hi,

the bird is a male Yellowhammer, singing its heart out ! And I think the flower is a Meadow Buttercup but I stand to be corrected as I`m no expert on flora.

Lovely photos as always.

Jenks

A lovely Small White, AND a Ladybird keeping him company ! Its easy to ignore how beautiful Peacocks are. Familiarity breeding contempt and all that, but your photos bring out their beauty. My own butterfly season got started over the weekend with Small Tort, Peacock, Small and Green veined White, a...

"Wurzel wrote: ....and a nice Red Kite too! I saw one of those on Friday as well it was hassling an Osprey :shock: ". On my way down to Bentley Wood in late May/early June in each of the last 4 years, I`ve seen Red Kites near the village of Burbage, just south of Marlborough on the A346. N...

Hi Goldie,

Liked the photos. The bird, by the way, is a Great Hornbill ( Buceros bicornis), fairly common in northern India and the Himalayas. They are huge and have a strongly undulating flight, almost as if they are so heavy they need to pause between wing beats !

Jenks.