Six-spot Burnet

This moth (Zygaena filipendulae) is extremely poisonous as it contains traces of cyanide which are formed by the caterpillars through the food they eat. Their bright red and metallic black colours warn birds to stay away! It flies about during the day in grassland and woodland in June and July. Apologies for the shot being out of focus but it was pretty breezy here this afternoon! This specimen was attracted to the hardy geranium flowers in the garden.

After a cold and stormy evening with the central heating on for a couple of hours (!) today suddenly turned hot and balmy - long may it last. T had the dilemma whether to cut the grass for haylage or not. Different weather forecasts give different days for the rain so whose is the most accurate for this area?? In the end he decided to go ahead since the grass need not stay wilting on the ground for long and he is down to do our next door neighbour's paddock first.