Reculver to Chambers Wall - 31/05/19

I paid a visit to Reculver on a grey and overcast day with a moderate south south westerly wind. Though it was overcast it was a warm. It was forecast to brighten up in the afternoon but it was not showing any signs of doing so. The tide was in but on the turn. I had forgotten it was half term and as the sea wall appeared to be very busy I had a wander along the path at the back of the oyster farm. A couple of Shelduck were present, and a Little Egret flew past and settled down on one of the fields. Two pairs of Oystercatchers were spread between a couple of fields and a first summer Herring Gull was hunched down and sheltering from the wind. Insects were few and far between. However, I did see several Turnip Sawfly Athalia rosae and a single Common Carpet Moth was tucked down in the vegetation.

Turnip Sawfly Athalia rosae

Common Carpet Moth

I saw several male Reed Buntings with bill fulls of food and a Mute Swan was sitting on its nest and seemed unfazed by the people passing on the footpath apart from giving them a quick glance.

Reed Bunting

Mute Swan

As I reached the end of the embankment a Marsh Harrier flew past along the far edge of the field sending up a Lapwing as it went.

immature male Marsh Harrier

I dropped down to the bottom path and it was nice to be out of the wind for a while. I was standing by a bush when I heard a flurry of wings and a bird landed in the top of it. Next second loud cuckooing rang out. It was so close but I could not see it apart from glances through the gaps in the foliage that appeared as the branches and leaves blew back and fore in the wind. I did not dare move into a better position in case I scared it so I tried to grab a shot through the gaps as they appeared. It would have been lovely to have been able to have seen it unobstructed, it was so close. I heard a female answer and after a few more cuckoo's he flew off in the direction of Chambers Wall.

Cuckcoo

A couple of Blue-tailed and Azure Damselflies were tucked down and a Hairy Dragonfly patrolled briefly before settling down.

Hairy Dragonfly

I headed towards the sea wall and saw several singing Sedge Warblers on the way. Yellow Wagtails called from the field and a Small White butterfly was sheltering out of the wind.

Sedge Warbler

Small White Butterfly

When I reached the sea wall I sat and watched out to sea for a while but it was still very quiet apart from 3 Sandwich Terns a fair way out and a passing Shelduck. A Ringed Plover was close to the sea wall and gave some nice views.

Ringed Plover

I headed towards Coldharbour and saw a Skylark catching insects along the sea wall before it flew back towards the fields. A little further on there were a couple of  young Stonechat one of which perched showed nicely. They are beautiful little birds and I hope that they get on well. Sedge Warblers were singing away and a male Hairy Dragonfly appeared above the sea wall briefly before disappearing down again. I did not see any sign of butterflies but in the wind it was pretty cool and there was still no sign of the cloud cover breaking up.

Skylark

young Stonechat

Four Turnstone flew in to land on some rock and were followed shortly after by another 3. A couple of Common Tern were out to sea and Oystercatchers were dotted around in pairs. What I think is Biting Stonecrop was plentiful on parts of the concrete.

Turnstones

Biting Stonecrop

At Coldharbour a Meadow Pipit had a bill full of food so its youngsters were going to be well fed and I could see 5 of the young Shelduck tucked in. Mum and Dad have done really well because I was pleased to see that all ten youngsters were present and correct and appear to be doing well.

Meadow Pipit

young Shelduck

I sat and watched the sea for a while and 3 Mediterranean Gulls flew west. Otherwise the sea remained quiet. The immature male Eider was on the beach but too far away for a photo. Another Shelduck flew past out to sea.

Mediterraean Gull

I had a wander along the bottom path for a little way to see if there was anything sheltering out of the wind. I saw a couple of Blue-tailed Damselflies and one Azure but that was it for Damselflies. I got good views of a Cantharis rustica, the black mark on its thorax is in an almost perfect heart shape. A male Swollen-thighed Beetle was busy amongst the buttercups, while what I think is a Oedemera lurida was sheltering out of the wind.

Cantharis rustica

Swollen-thighed Beetle

Oedemera lurida

I saw a several cocoons but I am not sure what moth makes them. One looked a little different to the others. A Cuckoo flew past being harassed by a small group of Swallows.

Cocoon

Cocoon

I came across an insect I have not seen before and, at the moment, I do not know what it is. I'll update when I find out. Another Turnip Sawfly Athalia rosae was present and I ended up seeing several more of them.

Turnip Sawfly Athalia rosae

 A little further along a Woodlouse was busy amongst an umbellifer head and a White-tailed Bumble Bee sp. was busy gathering necter.

Woodlouse

White-tailed Bumble Bee sp.

A plant caught my eye that I think it is a Spurge but I am not sure which. It was the only one I saw growing along there. A five or six-spot Burnet Moth caterpiller was tucked away. They are certainly very striking caterpillers. A Tetragnathidae sp. spider showed well.

Spurge sp.

Five or Six Spot Burnet Moth Caterpillar

Tetragnathidae sp. Spider

A couple of Mute Swan flew past as I walked back up to have a look at Coldharbour again. The young Shelduck were having a wash and brush up. The female Shelduck keeps a very close eye on the youngsters and even with 8 in front of her she looked back several times to check on the other two that were hanging behind.

young Shelduck

female Shelduck with young

I started out towards Chambers Wall and saw another Tetragnathidae sp. spider. This one had a gold spangly abdomen and it is amazing just how long the front legs are. A 22-spot Ladybird was heading down a grass stem.

Tetragnathidae sp. spider

22-spot Ladybird

The sun finally started to make signs of breaking through and within a short space of time it had noticeably warmed as the sunny intervals increased. Three Yellow Wagtails, ahead of me on the path, were taking advantage of the increase in insects but remained flighty. A Sedge Warbler popped up nearby and gave some good close views. I could see a couple of young Coot with an adult.

Sedge Warbler

Sedge Warbler

A Skylark was also on the path and I enjoyed watching it as it chased back and fore after insects. The difference in head shape between crest up and crest down is very marked. It was nice to be able to have an extended period of time watching it.

Skylark

Skylark

Skylark

I could hear Swifts calling above me and they were hawking for insects high in the sky. A little while later I could hear a Marsh Harrier calling and I could also hear a Common Tern calling from the same direction. When I looked they were both high above me and the tern was clearly very unhappy at the harrier's presence and appeared to be mobbing it. They continued to climb and circle higher and higher and I could hear them both still calling even once they were too high for me to see the tern anymore.

A Sedge Warbler had caught a Ladybird and a little further on I came across a Harlequin Ladybird.

Sedge Warbler

Harlequin Ladybird

I had hoped that I might have seen some Damselflies as it had got warmer but apart from a couple of Azure and Blue-tailed that was it. A Hairy Dragonfly flew up the track but I could not manage to relocate it. Blackcap and Wren were singing away as I crossed the railway line and a Cetti's and Whitethroat joined in. Some fish were near the surface in the river and on looking them up I think that they were Roach but could have been Rudd as I find them hard to tell apart.

? Roach

Goldfinches were singing away and I saw a total of 4 Grey Partridge. A Latticed Heath Moth was tucked down in the grass. As I walked up I enjoyed listening to a Dunnock that was singing enthusiastically. I could hear a pair of Carrion Crows calling loudly and as I looked up the track I saw one flying down and skimming over the head of a fox that had just come into view. The Crow landed on the path and then almost immediately flew back at the fox again before gaining a bit of height and on turning it dive bombed it again. At this point I think the fox decided that enough was enough and headed for a gap in the hedge and both it and the Crow shot through. I tried for some photos but couldn't get anything that was in focus.

Dunnock

I finished the visit with views of a Yellow Water Lily and watching a Whitethroat that paused briefly with a caterpillar in its bill. Even though it had not been the easiest of days today I was pleased that I had come and had enjoyed the visit.

Yellow Water Lily

Whitethroat

Birds seen this visit include: 11 Oystercatcher, 6 Meadow Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 Collared Dove, 4 Magpie, House Sparrows, Starlings, 14 Swallow, Herring Gulls, Wood Pigeons, 1 Lapwing, 6 Shelduck and 10 youngsters, 5 Mute Swan, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Blackbird, Skylarks, 2 Dunnock, 21 Reed Warbler, 18 Swift, 16 Linnet, 11 Reed Bunting, 1 Little Egret, Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, Black-headed Gulls, 1 Kestrel, Skylarks, 17 Sedge Warbler, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Wren, 2 Pheasant, 8 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Cuckoo, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Ringed Plover, 4 Sandwich Terns, 4 Stonechat, 3 Common Tern, 4 Turnstones, 7 Meadow Pipit, 1 immature male Eider, 3 Mediterraean Gull, 1 Moorhen, 1 Coot and 2 youngsters, 1 Mallard, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Grey Partridge, Goldfinches, Chaffinches, 3 Blackcap

An Encounter with a Weasel and a Small Blue - Shuart 29/05/19

I headed to Shuart today. There was a cool strong southerly wind with a lot of cloud and some sunny intervals. A Rabbit was watching me from the horse paddock and, unusually, seemed quite happy with my presence and a good range of birds were singing away.

Rabbit

Though it was cool in the wind, any sheltered areas were quite warm when the sun came out. A Red Admiral butterfly was resting on some ivy, showing its underwing well and Azure Damselflies were plentiful. I also saw a fair number of Blue-tailed Damselflies and one perched nicely for me.

Red Admiral Butterfly

Blue-tailed Damselfly

I enjoyed listening to the Wrens and Blackcaps that were in full song and a Jay scolded as it flew away. Some insects were making the most of a sheltered area. A White-tailed Bumble Bee's wings were quite tattered which must make flying harder. I am not sure exactly what type of white-tailed it is. I saw what I think is a Tachina fera. It was a striking looking insect. A Common Malachite Malachius bipustulatus was busy amongst an umbellifer head.

White-tailed Bumble Bee

Tachina fera

Common Malachite Malachius bipustulatus

I saw a Speckled Wood butterfly that looked decidedly 'milky' and pale. It appeared to be covered in very pale grey hairs. They appeared paler at some angles than others but it never appeared as dark as other Speckled Wood's that I have seen.

Speckled Wood

Two Common Buzzard were circling above and a Cuckcoo flew over. I could hear a Mediterranean Gull calling but could not manage to pick it up. It seemed that every few feet I came across another male Chaffinch singing away. What they lack in variety in their song they certainly make up for with sheer exuberance.

male Chaffinch

The drop in temperature, when the sun went in, enabled me to catch up with a couple of Orange Tip Butterflies who, up until then, had been very active. Both their upper and under wing patterns are beautiful and I was treated to some lovely views.

Orange Tip Butterfly

Orange Tip Butterfly

Orange Tip Butterfly

Orange Tip Butterfly

A Mute Swan gave a fly past and I tried for a photo. I still struggle with birds in flight photos but I enjoy giving them a go. A male Reed Bunting had a bill full of food for its youngsters. Its nest must have been nearby so I moved on so that it could feed the youngsters in peace. Reed Warbler song surrounded me as I made my way up to the railway embankment.

Mute Swan

Reed Bunting

It was pretty breezy up on the embankment but some areas remained reasonably sheltered by the bushes. A Small China-mark Moth was sheltering out of the wind. I often see them flying low over the water in dykes so it was nice to see one perched. A Hairy Dragonfly flew past without any sign of stopping.

China-mark Moth

I was watching a male Hairy Dragonfly patrolling over the water in a dyke when I caught movement to my side and when I looked I could see a Weasel watching me. I stayed as still as possible and did not even dare lift the camera in case I scared it. It dropped out of sight and then over the next ten minutes or so reappeared several times giving the opportunity to try for some photos. I felt privileged to be able to watch it so long and it certainly made my day seeing it. It, sadly, appeared to have several ticks on its face. When it moved it was lightening fast. What a beautiful animal.

Weasel

Weasel

Weasel

Weasel

Weasel

Weasel

I stopped and had a rest on the embankment and while doing so a small butterfly landed on my rucksack. At quick first glance I thought it was a Holly Blue but it didn't look right and looked too small. It then opened its wings and showed dark wings, wow! I was absolutely chuffed when I realised that I was looking at my first ever Small Blue Butterfly. I know that they have occurred in the area but I have never seen one before. It sat on my rucksack for a little while and then moved to a sheltered patch of grass nearby. It was a beautiful little butterfly and I felt incredibly lucky to see it. Now, that definitely made my day. Despite the fact it had been pretty quiet for birds it was turning out to be an interesting visit.

Small Blue Butterfly

Small Blue Butterfly

I had a short walk along the embankment, I could only go a little way as I needed to get back for a meeting. Reed Warblers were singing away with Sedge joining in. I disturbed a Grey Partridge that I had not seen tucked in at the side of the path. A Bush Cricket was sheltering out of the wind. I am not sure, at present, which one it is. I came across another Small Blue this time a male. He was pretty worn but very nice to see.

Bush Cricket

male Small Blue Butterfly

I came across a very attractive female Common Blue which had brown and blue in her wings. A striking Wasp Beetle Clytus arietis caught my eye.

female Common Blue

female Common Blue

Wasp Beetle Clytus arietis

I saw a single Silver Y Moth and it was very active, as it fed, and gave some good opportunities for trying for some photos. I had not realised how large their eyes are.

Silver Y Moth

Silver Y Moth

On the walk back to the railway crossing I came across a female and a male Small Blue Butterfly. The female was very fresh and looked stunning as she rested on the ground.

female Small Blue Butterfly

male Small Blue Butterfly

After crossing the railway line I headed back up to Shuart. A couple of Common Buzzard were soaring above and a small movement of Swifts appeared to be going south. There were several of what I think are nomad bees on the buttercup flowers.  I think that they were Gooden's Nomad Bee Nomada goodeniana but I am still finding identifying insects tricky.

Common Buzzards

Gooden's Nomad Bee Nomada goodeniana

While watching an attractive bee I had a Chaffinch singing above me and I tried for a memory shot even though it was into the light.

Chaffinch

It was very cool by this time and the sun remained in as the cloud cover was almost blanket by now. It did mean that I got some good views of resting insects that are normally much more active as I made by way back.

Ichneumon Wasp

Red-headed Cardinal Beetle Pyrochroa serraticornis

Greenbottle

I came across a Variable Damselfly, the only one I saw this visit, and I got some good views.

Variable Damselfly

Variable Damselfly

I finished the visit with views of an exuvia, but I do not know whose it is.

Though it had remained quiet for birds it had been an interesting and enjoyable visit.

Birds seen this visit include: 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Robin, 4 Blackbird, 8 Wren, Chaffinches, 8 Blackcap, Wood Pigeons, Jackdaws, 1 Jay, 9 Swallows, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Magpie, Blue Tits, Great Tits, 1 Mute Swan, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Cuckcoo, 2 Common Buzzard, Goldfinches, 1 Pheasant, 5 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Mediterranean Gull, Cormorants, Herring Gulls, Rooks, Carrion Crows, 14 Reed Warblers, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Lapwing, 6 Reed Bunting, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Magpie, 2 Mallards, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Kestrel, 1 Grey Partridge, 28 Swifts,

Red Admiral Butterfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Azure 3 Hairy dragonflies,