Cute bunny wabbit

This cutie has taken up residence in our garden. He hops around the lawn, selecting the finest dandelion leaves and tenderest grass stems to nibble.

Sigh

photos taken with Canon EOS 30D, EF 300mm f/4L IS USM

Visitors

I was washing up when I first spotted this juvenile Green Woodpecker on the lawn. I didn't have my glasses on, and for a split-second I wondered what on earth the big grey thing hopping on the grass was...

Green Woodpecker (juvenile)

The other news from the garden is that the rabbits seem to be getting smaller, and cuter:

We've also been trapping moths again. Last night was quite good - warm, dry and fairly still.

Leopard Moth

We're just putting the trap out at weekends at the moment, as we're so slow to identify the contents that getting the moths done before going to work would be a real challenge!

Being almost total beginners is really interesting. Though there are a few common species that are easy to ID, we're still having to look in the book to check many things. I'm sure we're making lots of mistakes - species like The Uncertain and rustics are proving a bit problematical. It's very tempting to just open the book, find what the moth looks most like, and say, 'well, it's one of those!'

On the other hand, we've had some pleasingly distinctive beasts, such as Poplar, Lime and Privet Hawkmoths, Black Arches and Leopard Moth.

Moths in plastic pots have taken over the salad box thing in the fridge (refrigerating the moths stops them from flapping about while you ponder over what on earth they are).

photos taken with Canon EOS 30D, EF 300mm f/4L IS USM

Garden stuff

Hobby

This photo was a bit lucky... After tea, I went for a wander round the garden and to mow the lawn (this is virtually a full-time job in itself). I was trying to get photos of the bees on the mallow flowers...


... when I saw some Swallows flying over. As I looked up, I saw a Hobby flying in the opposite direction, not very high up. As I already had the camera to hand - and switched on - I managed a few shots.

Looking at the brownish wings, I think it's a first-summer bird. Though I may be wrong. That means it hatched last year, went all the way to Africa, crossing the Sahara, and has come back again. They mostly eat small birds and largeish insects (eg. dragonflies).

Talking of dragonflies, there was a Brown Hawker in the garden yesterday morning, and a Southern Hawker this afternoon.

Anyway...

Red Admirals seem to be out today in good numbers

Darren saw SIX rabbits on the lawn yesterday!

Up to seven Peacocks were in the garden today, on the Buddleia or sunning themselves

Meadow Browns still around - this was one of the neater ones

Dusky Sallow moth - perhaps one of the two trapped on Friday night

photos taken with Canon EOS 30D, EF 300mm f/4L IS USM

Rabbitrabbitrabbitrabbit

In recent weeks, two rabbits have started coming into the garden. So far, they've been good, cutely nibbling the seed-heads off long blades of grass, though I did spot them chasing each other around yesterday. I hope this isn't the start of bad behaviour.

As long as they keep their teeth off what's left of my vegetables and flowers, they're very welcome.

photos taken with Canon EOS 30D, EF 300mm f/4L IS USM