PIPIT POST

Before we moved here twelve years ago, we worked at the Hulton Picture Library, swallowed by what has now become a huge company: Getty Images. We held the entire collection of Picture Post, including the work of their most famous staff photographer, Bert Hardy. The mere mention of something close to that fabulous publication of the 1930's to 1950's, makes me nostalgic for the best job I ever had. Anyway....I have so many pictures of these fabulous little Meadow Pipits that I thought I'd put them all together for once. They are so important for the cuckoo population here; I saw our juvenile fluttering about today with its Meadow Pipit 'parents' trying, and failing, to keep up with it. They must be exhausted. These unbelievably numerous birds are apparently on the amber list in the UK which amazes me. Interestingly, Pat at The Weaver of Grass (http://weaverofgrass.blogspot.co.uk/ ) says they never see them up in Yorkshire. 

They are ground nesters, usually in a clump or here, often inside a gorse bush. the nest is built of moss, grasses and usually lined with animal hairs - lots of that here, especially as those ponies start to slip their coats, just in time for nest building in April, May or June. The female incubates a clutch of four or five eggs alone for up to 14 days. 

Both parents feed the chicks for up to 13 days when they will fledge. Now, is it just me, or is this one carrying the corpse of a chick, perhaps of another species, to feed to its young? The second picture is clearer......

To the left of the green caterpillar, you can see a tiny leg and claw:

Generally, their diet consists of flies, beetles, moths, caterpillars, worms and spiders, with seeds later in the year, obviously with a side order of cannibalism. Have any of you ever seen anything like this before?

There is certainly a lot of feeding going on at the moment with at least two broods a year. It's difficult to get a picture of them without something hanging out of their beaks.

This youngster was clinging to a rock and let me get quite close:

Still - Pipits have nothing on the Stonechats with up to four broods of course. Here are some juveniles at various stages of development but all taken within a couple of days of each other:

Almost full grown......

The Wheatear is a close relative of the Stonechat but will only have one or possibly two broods. They winter in Africa whilst the Stonechat is resident, so I suppose they have less time to fit in the breeding. 

In the garden, the juvenile Tits are gaining in confidence. This Great Tit is almost looking adult, just lacking its wide stripe. 

And this one a bit further along the way to adulthood. 

This fluff monster of a Blue Tit is a regular visitor and has no fear........

...............seeing off this Chaffinch:

At least some of its adult feathers are coming through now:

The Chaffinch waiting its turn:

A m}magpie in waiting too. There are SO many Magpies around here at the moment. If the rhyme were to be believed there would be many, many secrets never to be told. 

My Dragonfly pond is still almost exclusively full of Keeled Skimmers, here sitting on a cow pat nearby:

But there are now some Large Red Damselflies:

I've been writing this post for days now, never actually finishing before something comes up and I have to run off. This weekend just gone, Chagford played host to Chagstock, one of the festivals of the season. We can see it in the distance from here: 

I'm happier here, away from the crowds thank you:

So are the dogs:

One of the main reasons for being so behind with blogging is Chagford Pool which, with the stiflingly hot weather, is a magnet for OB and his friends. Here's a little picture I found on the internet. We can see Kestor Rocks in the distance from the benches but not in this photo:

The problem is, all the time we're there, I'm idle. Not unpleasantly so because I sit and chat to friends in a way that I rarely do otherwise, but I'm getting nothing done. Not a strong enough mobile signal to support the internet, so no joy there. I feel out of touch with the blogging world so am doubly grateful for your comments. Thank you. Tomorrow is supposed to be very hot indeed and OB is desperate to go and swim after school. Another wasted afternoon.............oh well. In a few years he'll be able to go without me so I should appreciate this while I can I guess. So until next time, here are those dogs fighting over a stick. Have a lovely week in the sun if you're in this country. The summer holidays start on Friday here so I think we can guarantee rain. 

THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS ARE HERE

Thursday was the last day of term and we are now well into the holidays and seven weeks without a decent walk I fear! Never mind; my son deserves a great holiday. He’s worked so hard at school this year. He was moved up from year three after Christmas and joined the combined year fours and fives, leaving his group of very good friends behind. He knew some of his new class as he’d been doing maths with them for the autumn term; he has an inexplicable talent in that area! He was given the choice and we were staggered that he agreed to do it. I know I couldn’t have done so at his age. On Wednesday, he was presented with an award for achievement in the church and we are so proud of him. Here it is - the shield looking shiny on the shelf!

This weekend is the Chagstock Festival, which is apparently quite famous now. I’m ashamed to say I’ve never been but enjoy the sight of it from the moor, here sparkling in the morning sun – 

yes, SUN.

A few days ago I braved the marsh in order to get to Lizzy and Betty but had to turn back as I found myself sinking VERY slowly into it. I realised before it reached the lace holes in my boots thank goodness but before I did my tussock jumping out of there, managed to get a few shots of them and the altogether lighter Snippet amongst the cotton grass.

That day, foal number two was hanging out with the geldings. He really is growing up much faster than the others. Even foal number one still looks younger than him. Here he is on Friday morning too where I think he, his mum and a few others had slept the night before.

Shaking his head

On Thursday afternoon, I took a little film of foal number four approaching us and staring at Snippet. I think they really want to play with him and often try and nudge him. When he scampers away, they often scamper after him. I usually put a stop to it at that point but it’s very sweet to watch their playfulness and them gaining in confidence.

Finally, a few more pictures from the last few days:

Foal number eight very deeply asleep

Just woken up

Back with Mum

A Snippet in the grass

Hydrangea on the window sill

Tiny Self Heal in the grass

Bullfinch back eating Herb Robert seeds

I can't say what kind of quality posts are in store over the next seven weeks so apologies in advance, but till next time, enjoy the sunshine.