another rarity

[brownfingers]

Whilst doing the washing up this afternoon, a bird came and sat on the wire not ten yards from the window. I've never seen one in the flesh before, but it was definitely a hawfinch. I tried to get to the camera to get a pic to confirm, but it had gone. I lurked about for ages, but it didn't return.

[Philthy]

I found a slow worm in the garden the other week. First time I've found one in my own backyard, and I think only the 3rd time I've ever seen one.
I was clearing black refuse bags that've lain undisturbed at the base of a wall for a few months, and it was hiding amongst the folds of material. I'd say 11" long roughly. I carefully picked it up for a closer look and it immediately twisted around my fingers, which felt kind of unpleasant, so message received I put it in a flower bed to slink away.
Very pleased to have found it though
And this morning at about 2am, I went outside to check something, and sitting 2' from the door, on a drain cover and looking like it was enjoying the rain, was a large, healthy looking toad. I'm inquisitive, so I picked him up too, and he didn't seem to mind in the slightest. Put him back, and left him to it. I like the randomness of these encounters.