Susie

Susie · Post by **Susie** » Mon Jan 02, 2012 6:35 pm

The crazy thing is that there were roses and penstemons blooming nearby, and not just the odd one either!

David M · Post by **David M** » Mon Jan 02, 2012 7:01 pm

Amazing! The way things are going, not only will there be huge numbers of Red Admirals from March onwards but maybe a few British-raised Clouded Yellows too!

essexbuzzard · Post by **essexbuzzard** » Mon Jan 02, 2012 10:15 pm

Don't get too excited,David!
I hate to dampen any enthusiasm but it's only the begining of January-winter aint over yet!
It's the length of our winters which are thought to kill off the admirals etc,not the necesarily the average temperatere.
And the fact that if they do wake up there is nothing for them to eat. Red ads are still being reported on the south coast, but as the winter progresses,and they go longer without food,reports are likely to become fewer,sadly.
But i hope i'm wrong!

Susie · Post by **Susie** » Mon Jan 02, 2012 10:20 pm

Well if it is any consolation the red admirals won't go hungry at the site where I photographed the daffs. There is daphne bholua flowering in profusion as well as many other flowers out and there won't be a cessation in flowering now right around to next winter. Even when we have a cold snap here with snow it never lasts more than a few days. The greatest danger I can foresee is weeks of warmish drizzle when the butterflies aren't hibernating but nor can they get out to feed either.

essexbuzzard · Post by **essexbuzzard** » Mon Jan 02, 2012 10:39 pm

Yes,i agree,Susie-it's the length of winter that seems to be the killer-long cloudy damp spells when adults are unable to fly, may not do them any favours. It will be interesing to see if any Red Admirals have survived when the real spring arrives in April.
I do hope so!

Hugh Middleton · Post by **Hugh Middleton** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 3:41 pm

Hope you enjoy the camera club.Look forward to hearing how you get on.
I joined my local one this week and was very impressed.

Hugh

Susie · Post by **Susie** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 4:09 pm

Hi Hugh,

The first meet of the camera club was last Wednesday but I wasn't able to make it. I've taken up a few new hobbies lately and they are taking up a lot of my time, I do hope to join the camera club shortly though. Are you still enjoying yours?

I went to Marlpost woods in Southwater today and I am pleased to say there are brown hairstreak eggs there again this year.

Susie · Post by **Susie** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 6:26 pm

I went to see the starling murmuration at Brighton today. It wasn't a patch on last year but still nice to see. The sunset was gorgeous though

essexbuzzard · Post by **essexbuzzard** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 7:05 pm

Hi Susie,
I myself took the long drive from East Anglia to the see the much talked about Starling flock at Brighton pier,and i have to say i was disappointed. It was cloudy and windy,which may have been the reason,but the birds arrived in small groups and went straight under the pier,instead of gathering and flying in their masses,like you see on TV. Maybe this was your expieriance too.
Regards, Mark.

Susie · Post by **Susie** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 8:11 pm

Hello Mark,

Yes, it was very much like that with far fewer large groups than last year and th majority of the birds going straight under the pier.

Pawpawsaurus · Post by **Pawpawsaurus** » Tue Jan 17, 2012 2:22 pm

Susie,

Pardon my diary intrusion, but I thought you might be interested in this morning's Nature on Radio 4. It was entitled The Ghost Roost, and told the story of sound recordist Chris Watson (of Springwatch fame) doing his thing in Brighton's West Pier ten years ago, before it was burnt down.

The programme will be repeated on Thursday at 9 p.m., but is also online:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b019f9hf

Paul

Post by **Vince Massimo** » Tue Jan 17, 2012 3:42 pm

Happy Birthday Susie

Bet you thought we had all forgotten...................

Vince

Post by **Mark Colvin** » Tue Jan 17, 2012 3:47 pm

Likewise ...

Have a great birthday Susie.

Kind regards. Mark

Jack Harrison · Post by **Jack Harrison** » Tue Jan 17, 2012 3:51 pm

Happy birthday.

Jack

Neil Hulme · Post by **Neil Hulme** » Tue Jan 17, 2012 4:03 pm

Happy 21st Susie!

Best Wishes, Neil

Susie · Post by **Susie** » Tue Jan 17, 2012 4:16 pm

Thank you, Paul. Yes I would be really interesting in listening to that so thank you for putting up the link.

Awwww, thanks guys! That's really lovely of you Vince, Mark, Jack and Neil.

All you sci fi fans (and I'm sure there is more than just me on this forum) will know that the answer to Life, the Universe and Everything is 42 and I'm planning on making this my best year yet.

I'm off to a great start; there was a beautiful sunrise this morning, presents from the kids and husband, I went for a run around Southwater lake and saw bullfinches, reed buntings, gold finches, two types of wood pecker, various thrushes and titmice and later on a buzzard on the ground with its kill, then I went belly dancing and after that I was taken out to lunch. There's a bit of a family gathering this evening and in 10 days I'm having a celebratory birthday ball! (get me, aren't I posh!

)

All I need now is a butterfly to get the season off to a flying start .... (but at least Sherlock is coming back for another season so I am soooo pleased!).

Lee Hurrell · Post by **Lee Hurrell** » Tue Jan 17, 2012 4:35 pm

Sounds like you have had a quite a day of it Susie!

Happy Birthday - hope you enjoy the rest of it.

Best wishes,

Lee

Rogerdodge · Post by **Rogerdodge** » Tue Jan 17, 2012 5:06 pm

Susie
I shall raise a small glass and toast your health this evening.

42 - Ah I wish I could remember it.
I was older then than I am now.
I think I probably enjoyed it.
I tend to enjoy most years!

Susie · Post by **Susie** » Tue Jan 17, 2012 5:46 pm

Thanks Lee.

Cheers, Roger, I think I'll have a cheeky vimto too

David M · Post by **David M** » Tue Jan 17, 2012 10:47 pm

Happy Birthday, Suzette!

Susie

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