Shepherdswell or Sibertswold?

Shepherdswell is how I've always know this village, but when I came to the church I found that it is often called St Andrew at Sibertswold. This name is probably derived from the name of one of it's early Anglo Saxon proprietors.

Opposite the Bell Inn, on the other side of the small village green this gate leads to the well wooded church yard of St Andrew's Church

Although there have been four churches on the site, the first listed in the Domesday Book, this church only dates back to 1863.

Designed Benjamin Ferrey in 1863 the interior of the church is quite simple but does have a large collection of impressive stained glass windows.

St Andrew's is built of local flint with Bath stone dressings and is distinguished by a little spirelet over, but not quite on, the west end.

The interior is simple and consists of nave, apsidal chancel and little transepts.


The east windows are by the St Helens Crown Glass Co., and represent the Ascension and Four Evangelists. The south window of 1900, by Kempe, shows the Epiphany





If you live around here and think that you phone line is being tapped, don't blame Murdoch, it might be this Great Spotted Woodpecker.

All in a Flash.

The weather has become much more autumnal and at first I though that I was going to find a fairly empty Bockhill this morning. Once I was tuned in, and ignoring the strong breeze, the calls of Siskins could be heard as they moving overhead. Like Redpolls one or two Siskins can sound like a flock, and in the windy conditions I contented myself with listening. A few Swallows and House Martins were on the move, beating into the wind, and one flock of at least six Crossbills flew over noisily as I walked round the Paddock. There was little to be seen at ground level and I walked on towards Farm Wood.

In the hedgerow along the Droveway birds were moving and at the farm there seemed to be quite a sizable mixed group feeding. As usual in these groups Blue Tits are prominent, as were a couple of Great Tits.

Long-tailed Tits normally travel in gangs at this time of year and they seemed to be part of the larger congregation.

I could hear quite a few crests as I went round, and I concentrated hard to try and pick out a Firecrest, but I was unsuccessful. I wonder how long it will be before the sound of a Goldcrest calling disappears from my range? Mostly the Goldcrest remained hidden in the depths of the hedge, their illuminating go faster stripe giving away their presence.

I always think that their little moustache gives an otherwise pretty face a rather cross look.

If the number of Chiffchaffs in the Paddock had seemed down, then it was because they had concentrated their numbers in the wood. I seemed to have checked out dozens of them, and listened to a whole variety of of hooeets and many odd squeaks, but again no sight or sound of a Yellow-browed, surely the one by Richards garden in Kingsdown won't be the only local one this year?

The Chaffinch is another bird with it's number now building up. They seemed to be everywhere, to often giving reasonable impressions of Flycatchers, or something more interesting. Their numbers have also increased in the garden, meaning a trip to the bird food merchants will soon be needed.

This afternoon I took a walk along the River Dour. No prizes for what this picture was nearly of!

Marvel of the Day

Our friend Alex, with his two children J(ason) and Katie came over for the weekend. On top of the list was a bit of badger watching, J saw one last time they stayed, but then he was a bit sleepy and the memory is a bit blurred.

I was really pleased when this Badger arrived quite early and allowed Alex to get some pictures.

I had thought it was a young boar, but one of Alex's pictures from side on has the conclusive evidence that he is a she. I don't think it is the same sow that came regularly a couple of months ago, unless she's broadened across the beam quite quickly.

Merveille du Jour (Dichonia aprilina),

Although I've been complaining that this year hasn't been great for moths, it is still possible that I will catch more species of macro in the garden than in any of the other years we've been here, although not s many individuals than in some years. One of the new species for the year today was a Merveille du Jour, surely one of the most beautiful, and thoroughly deserves it's name. Two of the others That are worth a second glance are the Green-brindled Crescent and the Pink-barred Sallow

Green-brindled Crescent (Allophyes oxyacanthae)

Pink-barred Sallow (Xanthia togata)

Pink-barred Sallow (Xanthia togata)

A second, more richly coloured Pink-barred Sallow.

Scarce Bordered Straw (Helicoverpa armigera)

I also caught eight Silver Y's, all looking very smart and fresh, and also a Scarce Bordered Straw, a less striking moth, but a more unusual migrant.