Hobby

Lodolaio is the Italian name for the Hobby Hawk. They have been calling in the pine trees behind the house for the last few days. Today I got a better view. The only other time I have seen them was catching mayflies over the upper Thames at the Chimney nature reserve in Oxfordshire.

Thrilling to have them so close by. I've been in touch with our neighbour who is a vet for the Casentino National Park.

It was a glorious day and then turned heavy and hot and sticky. A smattering of rain fell just after I had watered the leeks, winter greens and remaining tomatoes. Discovered that the porcupine/s had been at the squash with their massive incisors (see extra). Went out later with the head torch to inspect fences (see extra for blocked hole) and saw the big toad (rospo) we came across last December (further extra).

A wildlife bonanza.