Many-legged

This orb spider is a resident.

She has taken to spinning her web over my bin, which, of course, attracts flies. I hadn't noticed the first day and destroyed her home utterly. The second day, I remembered as my arm tore through spider silk.

Then, for two days, she didn't bother.

But the allure of the flies was two much. The last two days I have managed to cause her minimal discomfort... but the bins go out tomorrow.

I also saw something I thought was a huge hornet. Then, I realised that its wings were silent... Kath had mentioned that there had been hummingbird hawk-moths in their garden and I guessed that this was one. A quick Google, and yes, it was.

Turns out that there are many here this year - too hot and windy on the continent.

A jay flew past as i typed and perched on the fence at the back of the garden. He started complaining, loudly, and his mate, up in the big sycamore shared his anger. I tried to see what was going on (one of the many cats, I expected) and saw his raised crest before I disturbed him. I never discovered what had annoyed them. Perhaps the lack of peanuts.