Saturday, 18 July 2015
Happy event for the Emperor & Empress!
For those of you who know the Lakeside Cafe at Broadland Business Park, there are three pairs of Emperors ovipositing at the moment!
Friday, 17 July 2015
Insect-fest!
A day out with Martin at Holt Country
Park, Kelling Quags and Buxton Heath produced some terrific
insects:Silver -wahed Fritillaries and White Admirals by the dozen
(including a 'near valensina form of SWF) another Hummingbird Hawkmoth,
some super Keeled Skimmers (rare in Norfolk) and - possibly - a Black
Darter. Lots of Sundews too!
Thursday, 16 July 2015
Two more, including a garden tick!
As I was putting the barbecue to bed tonight, a Meadow Brown alighted on our beech hedge. The UK's most widespread butterfly, but - amazingly - new for the garden!
It was joined by a Brown Hawker - always great to see catching small insects over our pond.
It was joined by a Brown Hawker - always great to see catching small insects over our pond.
Buddleia!
A correspondent who runs a nursery business recently told me that property developers are obliged by law to destroy Buddleia when site-clearing, because it is '...an invasive alien plant.' Given the current concern about pollinating insect decline, this may rank as one of the craziest pieces of quango-vomit yet!
All day our Buddleias have been dripping with butterflies, hoverflies and bees. My advice (as if anyone who reads this needs it!) get a few before DEFRA bans their sale!
All day our Buddleias have been dripping with butterflies, hoverflies and bees. My advice (as if anyone who reads this needs it!) get a few before DEFRA bans their sale!
Wednesday, 15 July 2015
Hummer!
I was at the critical point in cooking a paprika-suppe when I glanced through the kitchen window to see a Southern Hawker and a Hummingbird Hawkmoth charging about the garden!
Luckily the Hummer settled on a smoke bush, so I managed a couple of snaps: this is the fourth one this summer!
Luckily the Hummer settled on a smoke bush, so I managed a couple of snaps: this is the fourth one this summer!
Tuesday, 14 July 2015
Last words on the Rendlesham Forest Incident: back to birds tomorrow!
On Saturday, Linda and I, together with friends Jason & Thomas, spent a day with Colonel Charles Halt (Commander of RAF Bentwaters at the time of the Rendlesham Forest UFO incident)
The day started with a small group accompanying the Colonel around the forest, where he pointed out the sites of the major events of December 1980. The press were in attendance, so it was surprising how forthright the Colonel was with his reminiscences, particularly in regard to the accounts of some of the others who were involved.
On a wildlife note: the forest was full of dragonflies, despite a total absence of nearby water! There were Emperors, Brown Hawkers and Common Darters, as well as lots of newly-emerged Graylings...
The day started with a small group accompanying the Colonel around the forest, where he pointed out the sites of the major events of December 1980. The press were in attendance, so it was surprising how forthright the Colonel was with his reminiscences, particularly in regard to the accounts of some of the others who were involved.
On a wildlife note: the forest was full of dragonflies, despite a total absence of nearby water! There were Emperors, Brown Hawkers and Common Darters, as well as lots of newly-emerged Graylings...
After lunch we moved on to Woodbridge Community Centre to set up the hall for six hours of talks and discussion: I was MC of the event and (despite the lack of decent mikes) received plenty of gratifying feedback: thanks to all for that! I enjoyed delivering my forty minute lecture and, again, there was plenty of positive comment. The Colonel spoke for around 80 minutes and mingled with attendees throughout the event, signing autographs and posing for photographs.
I have to say: purely as human beings, the Colonel and his son Clifford were pleasant company and it was enjoyable to spend the day with them.
How different to the response of some people on the social network sites! Bear in mind that I attended the conference as an unpaid guest speaker, talking on an entirely unrelated topic to the Colonel, and that I was asked by the organiser John Hanson (since I am an experienced professional lecturer) to act as MC. Within hours of the event, I began to receive abuse from all sides of the Warren - Halt - Penniston - Burroughs debate.
Now personally speaking, face to face I have always found Larry Warren a pleasant enough person: I knew he had an ongoing conflict with Colonel Halt, but hadn't realised that everyone is supposed to take sides! Larry has often been 'frank' when discussing the Colonel, but apparently his supporters don't feel Halt is entitled to respond...
The online 'dialogue' has polarised the UFO fraternity, attracted comment from people who didn't even attend the event and unfairly heaped invective on totally neutral pundits such as Nick Pope.
The festering sore between Larry Warren & Charles Halt and the two most credible other witnesses - Jim Penniston and John Burroughs - does nothing to further the cause of disclosure and adds fuel to those who seek to dismiss the entire incident. Astronomer and UFO debunker Ian Ridpath must be laughing himself sick!
As for me? After ten years trying to help raise the profile and credibility of the event in lectures, websites, articles and, latterly, books, I'm done with the RFI: it seems unlikely that, after 35 years, any resolution will ever occur and, having met most of the major characters, I have been able to draw my own conclusions.
I have to say: purely as human beings, the Colonel and his son Clifford were pleasant company and it was enjoyable to spend the day with them.
How different to the response of some people on the social network sites! Bear in mind that I attended the conference as an unpaid guest speaker, talking on an entirely unrelated topic to the Colonel, and that I was asked by the organiser John Hanson (since I am an experienced professional lecturer) to act as MC. Within hours of the event, I began to receive abuse from all sides of the Warren - Halt - Penniston - Burroughs debate.
Now personally speaking, face to face I have always found Larry Warren a pleasant enough person: I knew he had an ongoing conflict with Colonel Halt, but hadn't realised that everyone is supposed to take sides! Larry has often been 'frank' when discussing the Colonel, but apparently his supporters don't feel Halt is entitled to respond...
The online 'dialogue' has polarised the UFO fraternity, attracted comment from people who didn't even attend the event and unfairly heaped invective on totally neutral pundits such as Nick Pope.
The festering sore between Larry Warren & Charles Halt and the two most credible other witnesses - Jim Penniston and John Burroughs - does nothing to further the cause of disclosure and adds fuel to those who seek to dismiss the entire incident. Astronomer and UFO debunker Ian Ridpath must be laughing himself sick!
As for me? After ten years trying to help raise the profile and credibility of the event in lectures, websites, articles and, latterly, books, I'm done with the RFI: it seems unlikely that, after 35 years, any resolution will ever occur and, having met most of the major characters, I have been able to draw my own conclusions.
Sunday, 12 July 2015
Rendlesham Forest with Colonel Halt!
Pleasant day with Colonel Charles Halt (Commander of RAF Bentwaters at the time of the Rendlesham Forest UFO incident)
The day started with a small group accompanying the Colonel around the forest, where he pointed out the sites of the major events of December 1980.The Colonel was surprisingly robust with a few of his reminiscences, particularly in regard to the accounts of some of the other witnesses...
After lunch we moved on to Woodbridge Community Centre to set up the hall for six hours of talks and discussion: I MC'd the event and (despite the lack of decent mikes) received much very gratifying feedback: thanks to all for that!
I enjoyed my forty minute lecture and, again, there was plenty of positive comment (and book sales! LOL!)
Hopefully I might be sent some photos with me in!
I have to say: the Colonel's son Clifford was delightful and it was an absolute pleasure to spend the day with him.
The Colonel? Well: he was enigmatic and non-committal: but I guess you'd expect that....
The day started with a small group accompanying the Colonel around the forest, where he pointed out the sites of the major events of December 1980.The Colonel was surprisingly robust with a few of his reminiscences, particularly in regard to the accounts of some of the other witnesses...
After lunch we moved on to Woodbridge Community Centre to set up the hall for six hours of talks and discussion: I MC'd the event and (despite the lack of decent mikes) received much very gratifying feedback: thanks to all for that!
I enjoyed my forty minute lecture and, again, there was plenty of positive comment (and book sales! LOL!)
Hopefully I might be sent some photos with me in!
I have to say: the Colonel's son Clifford was delightful and it was an absolute pleasure to spend the day with him.
The Colonel? Well: he was enigmatic and non-committal: but I guess you'd expect that....
Friday, 10 July 2015
Lesser Emperor: back to Ormesby!
Having just finished being scalped in Acle, I popped across to Ormesby Little Broad for seconds of the Lesser Emperor.
Once again it (just one today!) performed pretty well, but was too fast for decent photography. Other goodies included a day flying bat (any suggestions welcome!) a couple of White Admirals and the usual Hawkers: Brown, Southern, Norfolk and - probably - a late Hairy. Walking back to the van I watched a Hornet catch and eat a bee!
As I was walking to the front door from the van I noticed a Hummingbird Hawkmoth feeding in the front garden: by the time I fetched a camera, it had departed. Frustratingly, ten minutes later it was in the back garden: this time I couldn't focus quickly enough!
Col Charles Halt at Woodbridge
Last reminder! Tomorrow I'll be lecturing alongside Col. Charles Halt, Commander of Woodbridge Airbase in Suffolk at the time of the Rendlesham Forest UFO incident. This is the most credible - and discussed - such occurrence in the UK.
Don't believe the nonsense you've heard on light-weight TV programmes: the Colonel and his security crew were not looking at a distant lighthouse, a meteor or a soviet satellite!
There are a few tickets still available: turn up and pay at the door!
Meet and greet at 5.00pm, Saturday 11th at Woodbridge Community Centre, Suffolk.
Don't believe the nonsense you've heard on light-weight TV programmes: the Colonel and his security crew were not looking at a distant lighthouse, a meteor or a soviet satellite!
There are a few tickets still available: turn up and pay at the door!
Meet and greet at 5.00pm, Saturday 11th at Woodbridge Community Centre, Suffolk.
Thursday, 9 July 2015
Look who's come to dinner!
This super little Hedge-hoglet came for a tuck-in of suet and a drink of water tonight! In their own way, these are as welcome (and as scarce) as the Turtle Doves.
I looked online: suet is reckoned to be OK provided they don't eat too much and have water with it.
Wednesday, 8 July 2015
Walsham Fen
I finally took a look at my nearest nature reserve: the tiny Walsham Fen. Reached either by a one kilometre walk north from Hemblington Church or a much shorter one (but with no parking!) from Panxworth, the potential of this somewhat overgrown Fen seems considerable.
It is maintained by Blofield & District Conservation Group (BADCOG) who mow the reeds and remove invasive shrubs as part of a regular, rolling programme. They have laid a boardwalk around the entire reserve and built a viewing screen, both of which features wouldn't be out of place at a larger reserve.
Unfortunately (as the following images show only too plainly) apart from a delightful little brook, there is no longer any open water to attract the Kingfishers, Snipe and voles that have apparently occurred in the past. There were a few Ringlets and Meadow Browns as well as a handful of odonata, but I doubt if the previous records of fifteen species of butterfly and ten of dragonfly are realistic at the moment.
Nevertheless, this bijou reserve (3.7 acres) has some terrific flora and is well worth a visit: take your insect spray, though, and wear long trousers: the nettles are everywhere!
It is maintained by Blofield & District Conservation Group (BADCOG) who mow the reeds and remove invasive shrubs as part of a regular, rolling programme. They have laid a boardwalk around the entire reserve and built a viewing screen, both of which features wouldn't be out of place at a larger reserve.
Unfortunately (as the following images show only too plainly) apart from a delightful little brook, there is no longer any open water to attract the Kingfishers, Snipe and voles that have apparently occurred in the past. There were a few Ringlets and Meadow Browns as well as a handful of odonata, but I doubt if the previous records of fifteen species of butterfly and ten of dragonfly are realistic at the moment.
Nevertheless, this bijou reserve (3.7 acres) has some terrific flora and is well worth a visit: take your insect spray, though, and wear long trousers: the nettles are everywhere!
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| This and the previous image are of the boardwalk! |
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