ANOTHER SISKIN BROOD AND DAMSELFLY RESCUE

A couple of days ago, I heard very piercing bird shrieks coming from outside the kitchen window. They are normally closed, but the excessive heat has warranted their being open. At the feeding station, I was amazed to see the Siskin adults with one of the juveniles and two new fledglings. I never managed to get all three together in a photo I'm afraid but never mind. Here they are being demanding of both their parents and older siblings:

                                      

The juvenile, having to grow up quickly:

The parents:

Given that Stonechats can have four broods a year, I wonder if the Siskins will try and get another lot in. The fledglings shout and flap their wings at any other bird that tries to get them awayfrom food to great effect. No one will take them on, despite them being the smallest other than the Blue Tits. Amazing little things they are. Incoming Chaffinch......

...........and away with it.

I'm sitting in the garden as I write this and, other than the humming of bees, all I can here are Siskin-squeaks. I'm not complaining.

Yesterday, I found a damselfly about to drown in our local peety bog puddle:

 I managed to fish it out:

It seemed fine drying out in the sun. Caroline Gill (http://carolinegillwildlife.blogspot.co.uk/) has suggested it is a teneral Red-eyed Damselfly and I think she's probably right and would know far better than me! I only had a few minutes to try and identify it and failed miserably. Frankly, this is probably the only way I'm going to get any decent pictures of them. They are VERY active at the moment and won't let me get anywhere near them unless, obviously, they've had a near death experience. Same with the butterflies. I've been trying my best out on the moor, where I'm glad to say there are lots about, particularly of the Small Heath variety. I've never seen so many before. Since I have no butterflies to show you, here are a few more birds! 

Robin

Blackbird

Blue Tit

Meadow Pipit juvenile

A few more pictures from our walks the last couple of days:

Bell Heather is out everywhere on the moor now

The North Teign today....

........and Snippet in it.

One of the few remaining boggy places that haven't dried out in the intense heat

An ingenious way to get a drink yesterday....lie on the bog moss so that the water rises up in a handy little puddle

Rounding the corner of Fernworthy Forest

A Silver Ground Carpet moth that I found on the kitchen floor. Thanks CT & Ragged Robin for ID!

The Cotton Grass is about to broadcast its seed

I seem to have lost the followers section at the top of the blog which is very annoying. I do hope it comes back. I have a feeling I'm not the only person this has happened to. If you have any experience of it, I'd be grateful for any advice. 

I don't think I can take any more of the sun out here and I have to go and feed Trigger and his lady friends, so there I will end. Until next time, here is that little hound enjoying a walk on the dried out marsh.