https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/watch-wildlife-online/loch-of-the-lowes-webcam/ 

Ewe won't believe it: 8ft fleece sheared from sheep

https://lnkd.in/eGg48sSn 

"A native of Europe and western Asia, weld (also called dyer’s rocket) is a dye plant that has been traded for many centuries. Seeds have been found in Neolithic villages in Switzerland, where it is assumed to have been used for its dye. Weld provided Romans with a bright yellow dye used to dye the robes of the Vestal Virgins, priestesses in ancient Rome. The dyers of Lincoln, known for colouring wool with woad, created the eponymous Lincoln green of Robin Hood fame by overdyeing the blue wool with yellow weld."

Reseda luteola (Weld)

https://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/learning/trails/dyestrail/resedaluteola/ 

I used to sell Weld plants. I also sold woad but not in large amounts either. A niche market for home dyers. 

https://www.woad.org.uk/html/fermenting.html 

Tyrian Purple, another ancient dye but from another source of course.

The River Witham was the route the Romans took up to Lincoln. Not satisfied with that, they they dug a canal north to join to the Trent and Humber, giving navigable access to the East Midlands and Yorkshire. I have a mental picture of our forebears bringing Weld up by that route. Many Roman soldiers retired to Lincoln - hence Lindum Colonia. The also dug a canal from Lincoln to Peterborough on the contour, thought to be a water supply or something like that. The Carr or Car Dyke. 

https://peterborougharchaeology.org/car-dyke/ 

"The Spalding Gentlemen’s Society, one of the oldest learned societies in the Kingdom and the earliest provincial association for the encouragement of antiquarianism, was founded by Maurice Johnson (1688-1755), “The Antiquary”, of Ayscoughfee Hall, Spalding.

The Museum is currently closed for building works until spring 2027. We invite everyone to visit us at Ayscoughfee Hall, 10:30-4, Wednesday to Sunday." You can sign up to their newsletter on their website.

https://www.sgsoc.org/ 

"The squacco heron is commonly seen across southern Europe, parts of the Mediterranean and North Africa but was found in a river channel near Crowland on Sunday.

According to the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and the RSPB, just two to five sightings of the bird are recorded in Britain annually. The last recorded sighting in Lincolnshire was on 5 July 2019 at Frampton Marsh."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c621gp9y3npo 

The name Squacco originates from an old Italian dialect word, sguacco, used to describe the Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides). It was first documented in English by ornithologist Francis Willughby around 1672 and officially codified into modern English spelling by John Hill in 1752.The bird's name is likely imitative—derived from its distinct, harsh, and frog-like squawking or croaking calls, similar to the term squawk

Very Interesting chap! I Wikied him,

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Willughby 

There was John Ray and the botanist Johy Wray - who I think lived in this cottage.

You may find him entertaining. Some light reading.... 😁

https://slha.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/import/Downloads/LPP050.pdf 

An amazing collection of achievements for someone who died so young

Island gigantism is a recognised phenomenon, but it's nice to have a 'local' example to set alongside giant tortoises in the Galapagos.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/cjdpd58m0v8o 

All in daylight too. 

It is good, isn't it! We have both foxes and badgers visiting the garden. Hedgehogs too of course. A trail-camera is a constant source of entertainment. They squeeze under our gates and have a good look round! My other half noted a smell of fox in the garden this morning - so we shall see what we "catch" tonight. I will report tomorrow.

The garden is awash with hoverflies and bees today. I have no idea how many, but the flowering olive is covered with them.

Painted Lady - Vanessa cardui

https://butterfly-conservation.org/butterflies/painted-lady 

I'm ready if it comes back. They are reported to trap-line, that is, to return to the same flower beds at about the same time each day say Wiki.

But it's so hot out there under the sun as I type this.

An excellent capture Windy Willow of the Moth. Still waiting for the Hummingbird Hawk Moth to return. Seen it once more but it was too dark. I've been culling the Box Moths though en masse in the front garden in the pheromone trap. Very selective and only the box moths go for a swim. The Blackbirds are getting reasonably good at catching them in flight too. The last brood of blackbirds seem to like hopping around my feet as I water the garden in the evening. They can fly but for now prefer hopping. The mother still has to feed them and the watered earth provides pickings of worms and grubs that the mother then beak-feeds her offspring.

Just been watching a Hummingbird Hawk Moth working our lavender. What energy!

There was also a large dragonfly busy over our pond. I love how they can hover and fly straight up and down and sideways in an instant. It didn't keep still for long and I'm not the best with colours so I've no idea which type. It definitely had some blue on the abdomen