A historic day today... My last of the season at the Peregrine Site.  Next Tuesday I will be back up there dismantling everything and saying a final goodbye to the chickies and adult birds.

The day started very happily with one of the most beautiful moths around:

Peach blossom - side view

Peach blossom - top view

I had long admired the picture of this little beauty in my moth and guide and today I was somewhat overexcited to meet it in person. If I had been on a little walk in the woods, totally unsuspecting of the wonder that awaited me I might have been overcome with feelings. Luckily I was ready for mothing. I made sure that everyone at the peregrine site, volunteers and visitors also enjoyed the spectacle.

Reactions from others were mixed and I have now changed my opinions of people accordingly:

People I like
Jack2: "Peach blossom is one of my alltime fave moths"
Willie: Something along the lines of it being a beauty
Peregrine volunteers: thought it was impressive and beautiful

People I don't like
The Boss:  "It looks sort of mouldy"
Schoolgirls:  "Ewwwww!!!!  It moved!!!!"

Of course there were other moths, 14 other moths including 5 new species for my list:

Clouded Magpie

Bright-line Brown-eye

Flame Shoulder

Heart and Dart

Peach blossom!

Having safely deposited all my moths at the point where I had gathered them I was ready to spend the rest of the day watching Peregrines.  They weren't around much and when they were they weren't in the mood for doing much:

Sleepy Chickie

My 7 hours of waiting were richly rewarded in the evening however, when one of the chicks flew up the gorge with the remains of a Woodpigeon carcass in its talons.  Dangling down behind the chick was a trail of intestines.  The chick circled round twice with the intestines trailing gracefully behind while Chick 2 followed in hot pursuit of the meaty goodness.  What a beautiful sight.