I had an unusually clear day today so thought that I would attempt a slow circular walk from Shuart. It was beautifully sunny and warm and became increasingly warmer as the day progressed. There was a light north westerly wind and during the late afternoon cloud cover started to build. When I arrived I sat for a little while just enjoying all of the bird song that I could hear. 2 Blackcap were singing away joined by a large cast of all the usual jobs, with a Cuckoo, that was calling from a little further away, joining in.
As I walked along the path there were good numbers of Holly Blue and Red Admiral Butterflies active as well as a couple of Orange Tip. Azure Damselflies seemed to be everywhere with smaller numbers of Blue-tailed. There were also a couple of Variable. The sunlight caused a rainbow effect in the wings of one of the Azure Damselfly. I couldn't manage to capture the effect very well in a photo but it makes a good memory shot.
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| Azure Damselfly |
There seemed to be so many insects flying around that it would have been perfect for a flycatcher but unfortunately I could not manage to find one. I did, however, come across a striking Red-headed Cardinal Beetle Pyrochroa serraticornis.
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| Red-headed Cardinal Beetle Pyrochroa serraticornis |
I heard a Sparrowhawk call and saw one circling quite high above. Another Sparrowhawk then called and I could see another two to the side of me. The one above came down in a steep dive towards them and I lost them as they all shot away behind the hedge. A little further on I caught sight of a distant Red Kite moving west. As it moved through, though it never came very close, it came close enough to try for photo.
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| Red Kite |
Herring Gulls were thermalling and as the sun shone through their flight feathers they were beautifully highlighted. I tried for some photos but struggled to get them in focus but, again, it makes a good memory shot.
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| Herring Gull |
Cetti's, Sedge and Reed Warblers were singing away with good competition from Chaffinch, Whitethroat and Wren. I saw a couple of mating pairs of Azure Damselflies. I kept my eyes open for Hairy Dragonflies but did not see any on the walk down to the embankment. A Marsh Harrier passed overhead and I tried for a shot as it did so. A beetle caught my eye which I think is Cantharis rustica.
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| Marsh Harrier |
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| Cantharis rustica |
6 Pied Wagtails were around the stable area as were Linnet, House Sparrow and Starlings. The sea was a stunning blue when I reached the sea wall. A few Herring Gulls were bobbing around and a couple of Oystercatchers were on the rocks, 4 Ringed Plover on the shore, but otherwise it was pretty quiet. While I was sitting on the sea wall having lunch a Meadow Pipit landed on the wall, a little way away, and started singing.
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| Meadow Pipit |
As I headed towards Plumpudding I could see a small group of 17 Common Scoter out to sea who were then disturbed by a jet ski and flew before settling back down again. A Yellow Horned Poppy was in flower.
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| Common Scoter |
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| Yellow Horned Poppy |
A I approached Plumpudding island I saw a mating pair of Hairy Dragonfly alongside the sea wall. A Cuckoo flew up from out of the reed bed. On Plumpudding there was a Mute Swan, 5 Mallard, 3 Ringed Plover and 6 Pied Wagtail.
I carried on to Coldharbour which was also pretty quiet. The pair of Shelduck were there. The male was tucked into the bank while the female was with 10 ducklings.The Brimstone butterfly was still patrolling in the same area near the sea wall that I saw it the other day but it did not stop this time while I was watching it.
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| female Shelduck with 10 ducklings |
I headed up towards the embankment and on the way I saw a caterpillar that I have not seen before. As far as I can tell, from looking it up, it is either a 5 or 6-spot Burnet Moth caterpillar. Apparently the caterpillars are very hard to tell apart. It was beautiful.
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| 5 or 6-spot Burnet Moth Caterpillar |
3 Yellow Wagtails were on the path and a Skylark was tucked in. A Scorpion Fly was resting up on a grass stem and finishing off its meal of an insect that it had just caught. The Mute Swan family were on the river and appeared to be doing well.
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| Skylark |
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| Scorpion Fly |
The cloud had built a lot by the time I reached the embankment but there were still some sunny intervals and it remained warm. I saw a Common Blue butterfly and also a Brown Argus. Both are my first for the year.
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| Common Blue Butterfly |
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| Brown Argus Butterfly |
Whitethroat were singing away and I also had a couple of Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Cetti's Warblers. I caught up with another Cantharis rustica, getting some different views this time.
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| Cantharis rustica |
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| Cantharis rustica |
I saw 3 Latticed Heath Moths in total, all of which were tucked well down in the vegetation, and several Lacewings were on the wing. 2 Red-legged Partridge were at the edge of a field and a Common Buzzard called as it soared above,
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| Latticed Heath Moth |
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| Lacewing |
Common Broomrape was starting to come up in places. Good numbers of Red Admiral butterflies were active as were several Small Heath Butterflies. A Mute Swan was down one of the dykes and I could see 2 cygnets tucked in but I do not know if there were more out of sight. As I approached the railway crossing a Mute Swan flew in to join its mate nearby. A head on view shows just what an impressive wing span they have. 2 Tufted Duck flew from one dyke to another.
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| Common Broomrape |
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| Mute Swan |
I made my way back towards Shuart, not counting anything that I might already have had this morning so that I didn't end up with a double count. I could hear a Mediterranean Gull calling and one flew east. I saw a moth tucked into the vegetation. I am not sure what it is at the moment and will update when I identify it.
I couldn't believe my luck when I suddenly saw the unmistakable sight of a Barn Owl. Now that really did make my day. It remained pretty distant so I couldn't get much in the photo line, and they are heavily cropped, but I was pleased to be able to get anything. It was an absolute joy to watch and made a fantastic finish to the day. I felt so very lucky to have been able to see it.
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| Barn Owl |
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| Barn Owl |
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| Barn Owl |
Birds seen this visit include: 3 Cuckoo, 4 Chiffchaff, 7 Blackcap, Chaffinches, 16 Wren, Blue Tits, 4 Robin, Great Tits, 4 Dunnock, 3 Song Thrush, 8 Blackbird, Carrion Crow, 15 Jackdaw, Rooks, Stock Doves, Wood Pigeons, Herring Gulls, Skylarks, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 5 Cetti's Warbler, 21 Whitethroat, 3 Sparrowhawk, 8 Reed Warbler, Cormorants, 23 Sedge Warbler, 37 Swallow, 3 Grey Heron, 6 Goldfinch, 1 Marsh Harrier, 22 Linnet, 23 Reed Bunting, 10 Meadow Pipit, 3 Lapwing, 12 Pied Wagtails, 25 House Sparrow, 10 Magpie, 7 Ringed Plover, 11 Mallard, 17 Common Scoter, 1 Moorhen, 2 Shelduck with 10 ducklings, 11 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Pheasant, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Kestrel, 2 Red-legged Partridge, 8 Mute Swan and a total of 10 cygnets, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Barn Owl,
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