Foxes

I looked out of the window at 3.30 this morning and saw two foxes, one chasing the other down the road.

Phenology: Painted Ladies

A large number of painted lady butterflies (Cynthia cardui) have arrived in Weston-super-Mare today, probably migrants from Europe or north Africa. There are more than I can remember seeing in recent years and it will be interesting to see how many more arrive over the next few days.

Caterpillar

A large, unidentified caterpillar that I found in a bush near the front door today. I can't help thinking that it won't be there for very long before something eats it.

Badger

At 3.00 this morning a badger turned my dustbin over and started ripping open all the rubbish bags inside. It completely ignored me when I switched on the lights and banged on the window, and only ran off when I shouted at it.

Much as I like badgers, I wish they wouldn't do this sort of thing.

I saw this...

...at Sand Bay today.

I don't know what it's called, but if I was twenty years youger and didn't have a gammy leg I'd quite like to try it

Phenology: Swifts

I saw the first swift (Apus apus) of the year today, skimming low over the dunes at Sand Bay.