Cinnabar Caterpillar

I know someone is going to ask me why I didn't pull the Ragwort. It's not a well loved plant as it'a highly toxic to livestock but I had to rescue these caterpillars the other day and they eat little other than that. The young of the Cinnabar moth, Tyria jacobaeae , they absorb the toxic substances and it is that which protects them from predators. The bright yellow and black colour is the warning. The red moths fly during the day and are often mistaken for butterflies.

I'm almost done clearing the land next door. I think the pear trees and the apple are now saved. It has been almost impossible over the past couple of days to use a brush cutter. I'm into the worst bits where there are mattress springs, old tin baths and discarded fence wire that make it just too dangerous. Not only is the shed dangerous but, having had a better look at the split in the wall behind, I'm going to have to call in the estate for advice.

Jim turned up, so we took the dogs up to see the sheep this afternoon. As they had become so wild it was impossible to catch up the lambs without dogs. The landowner decided to leave them be so there are now 5 entire rams. They've been separated off from the ewes so hopefully there will be no surprises next spring!

Blip commenting time is still as zero as it can get. I am so sorry. Thank you all for all the appreciation and patience. I'm itching to get back to you all but at the moment it's difficult even to find the time to post. Soon... I've said that before as well. :(