This month we surveyed conveniently close to home, although it was not in an area I had previously explored. We saw a number of setts, a few already known to us, a couple were new. They were all active and showed signs of moderate use, but not more than that. The first few hours were rather strange, eerily quiet with not a hint of birdsong, insect or any other life. Hardly surprising given the vast monocultural fields around us. But then, almost as though we had crossed an invisible line, everything changed, probably as we entered territory not poisoned by pesticides and herbicides. We found an extraordinarily beautiful spot on the banks of the river Lambourn, a rare and ecologically, globally crucial and fragile chalk stream and a tributary of the Kennet, which has been subjected to pollution from run-off from roads and sewage from Thames Water. The water was clear, however, and although there were not many we saw a fair number of butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies. Butterflies included Large White, Small White, Skippers, Peacocks, Red Admirals, Gatekeepers and Speckled Woods. A pair of aptly named, iridescent Beautiful Demoiselles enchanted us all. I did not have the right camera with me but will be returning to try to take some decent pictures. As ever with our badger group, I am fortunate to be out with people far more knowledgeable than I who, especially collectively, seem to be able to identify just about everything.
Cinnabar moth caterpillars, thistles, chicory and purple loosestrife:
Peacock:
In the garden meanwhile, as I write, it continues to be an absolute joy to witness the activities at the bird feeders and the bird bath. At any one time there are as many as ten birds availing themselves of the facilities. The Woodpeckers and Jackdaws are largely absent now, the finches too, but the Sparrows, Dunnocks, Blue Tits and Great Tits are delightful and it is especially pleasing to know that they were born, fledged and live right here. `
One other lovely visitor has cleverly worked out means of access. Needless to say I am not, as some would, calling for the immediate eradication of the species, nor installing squirrel-proof feeders. I do not understand that speciesist approach.
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