And so it begins...

Yes, the slow decline into failue. It was bound to happen really. Just as I managed to outsmart the snails and the plants had settled in, something was bound to go wrong.

RIP Minnow I. A victim of what I suspect to be foul play, on the part of my Ram. I am keeping a close eye on this one... Still, these minnows have already easily outlived their life expectancy, so it could be the result of a combination of reasons. However, concerns over the welfare of my fish population have taken a slightly more sinister turn...


Currently my Corydoras schwartzii isn't looking this good. Really not very good at all, bearing in mind the two massive lesions on his head and lack of barbels. Bumcakes. Methinks I'll be heading down to the fish shop first thing in the morning for some sort of miracle fixitude, after a water change. I'll keep you posted, but my hopes aren't high for this little guy :(

Note to readers: Don't search for "Hole in the Head Corydoras" unless you want to throw up some gay porn...

Local birding again

Mostly as a result of not being motivated enough to head any further afield after some hula-related drunkeness the day before, me and the man ended up at Rainham on Sunday for a very pleasant if not particularly productive few hours.

Wennington marshes

We started off at the other entrance to the reserve near the tip, as I've never been there before. There are some brilliant views across the Thames and across Aveley Pools. Other than the unsuprising smellyness, this area of the marshes is really interesting and has such a great variety of wildflowers considering it's only been developed over the past few years (enough to warrant me needing to buy a ID book now). Some more gorse bushes are needed, and then it'll be full of dartford warblers :)

Of course, to keep up with my recent habits of completely neglecting to take any bird photos in favour of lots of invertebrates, here are my efforts from Sunday. Suddenly the gatekeepers are out and about, and we also spotted some small heaths, peacocks, commas, ringlets, large, small and green veined white, a couple of different types of skipper and loads of cinnabar moth caterpillars on ragwort. Quite pleased with some of the photos :)

Peacock butterfly

Large white butterfly

Gatekeeper butterfly

Comma butterfly

Common darter (common but still pretty awesome)

In other news, The Man saw a quail on the road towards my village yesterday. I didn't. I think I was probably too busy telling a Very Important Story about something, while trying to avoid all of the suicidal wood pigeons and collared doves that like to fly at my car. Anyway, that's another one for me to have to keep up with on my year list. Also, the field in my BTO survey area that was full of butterflies and yelllowhammers was completely cut down a few days ago, and I haven't seen the yellowhammer since. Never really sure why they do this so early in the year, as I dread to think how many caterpillars were harvested along with the crop... Oh well it was nice while it lasted.

Sunday sunset- been plenty of good ones lately but this is the first one I've got on camera.

Hampshire Dahhling

Skipped off to the Shire this weekend for a quick friendly visit, and also hopefully to bag a nightingale across Ludshott Common, as previously and better described in some other blogs.

The area is really lovely, as are the two pubs we frequented during our stay there, and it's always good to see somewhere new. Was most impressed by Maiden Lulu's local patch, as it puts essex to shame a bit. The river walk was beautiful despite the scary bridge. I was also excited to drive past here, due to some books I used to read when I was little :)

In invertebrate-related news, I had a lepidopterial first for me in the shape of a Comma, which was a nice surprise. As ever there were Meadow browns and ringlets everywhere, together with a whole pile of small/green veined whites and various skippers.

An actual Red Admiral being very obliging

Comma butterfly

This is a bit off-topic, but saw this in the news and thought it was pretty cool. My nan would love it anyway... Plenty of links for you to have fun with in this post.

Obituary

I am sad to report today the sad demise of Alan the Shrimp.

Beginning his life in The Tank as one of a team of six pioneer organisms, he flourished in his new home where his fellow tankmates were unable to match his determination. Starting as a tiny shrimp only destined for fish food and donated for free, Alan reached almost nephropidic proportions later in life. He spent his days hanging out amongst the plants, sneaking up on the corydoras and his favourite activity of running through water (an amazing feat in itself). He surpassed all of our expectations, and entertained all that had the pleasure of meeting him. He never let being the only of his kind in the tank get in the way, and I feel privileged to have known him. Rest in Peace. (note to self- must restock tank livestock levels ASAP).

Looking at the Alan in the Mirror.