Chagford – Murchington – Blackaton Copse – Providence – Throwleigh – Shilley Pool – Blackaton Brook – Scorhill – Gidleigh Woods – Leigh bridge (14 miles):
I only meant to pop up to Murchington and back but got carried away. Not huge numbers of insects today but they put on a show – scorpion flies, snipe flies, small pearl bordered fritillary, green hairstreak, beautiful demoiselle, large red damselfly and loads of bright green sawflies (Tenthredo mesomela, I think). It amazes me that the hoverfly was still enough for the autofocus to lock on to it.
And the birds – it seemed to be ‘mob a buzzard’ day, the bullfinch looked typically distinguished, a yellowhammer, and a wagtail like a drunk in a midnight choir trying in its way to be free etc.
[The last photo was what I felt was a very close encounter with a fox and what my camera felt was a close encounter with a five bar gate]
