I headed to Shuart on a sunny but increasingly breezy morning. Overall it appeared quite quiet but I enjoyed just seeing what I could see. A Stock Dove peeped out at me while above a Common Buzzard called and a Ring-necked Parakeet called from the trees.
 |
| Stock Dove |
A Jay alarm called as I headed down the track and a Sparrowhawk streaking through caused the local residents and visitors to disappear into cover before venturing out again. Several Migrant Hawkers were on the wing and when they came to rest it gave the opportunity to admire their markings as I made my way along.
 |
| Migrant Hawker |
 |
| Migrant Hawker |
A pair of Mute Swan were having an enthusiastic wash and brush up in one of the dykes.
 |
| Mute Swans |
 |
| Mute Swan |
 |
| Mute Swan |
As I neared the end of the track a Clouded Yellow butterfly motored past without stopping. A Kestrel hunting near the stables was harassed by a flock of Swallows before moving a little further along. Making my way along the sea wall I was pleased when a Whinchat (134) appeared briefly. Unfortunately with so many people about on the sea wall I only saw it briefly before it was disturbed and I did not manage to pick it up again.
 |
| Whinchat |
 |
| Whinchat |
 |
| Whinchat |
A couple of Swift flew west, hawking for insects as they went. I enjoyed watching the various Yellow Wagtails that I saw as I made my way along.
 |
| Yellow Wagtail |
A Sanderling searching for food along the tide line gave some good views as it did so. They are beautifully marked birds.
 |
| Sanderling |
As I made my way towards Chambers Wall the wind had increased and it had become increasingly cloudy. Another Clouded Yellow butterfly flew along the path and luckily for me it stopped to feed from some Clover alongside the path giving the opportunity to try for some photos. They are beautiful butterflies.
 |
| Clouded Yellow Butterfly |
 |
| Clouded Yellow Butterfly |
 |
| Clouded Yellow Butterfly |
A Chiffchaff and a Willow Warbler were searching for insects in the hedgerow while the cooler conditions meant there were several resting Damselflies, Hawkers and Darters. A single Blue-tailed Damselfy was tucked down low and a smart male Migrant Hawker was hanging motionless from a branch.
 |
| Blue-tailed Damselfly |
 |
| male Migrant Hawker |
A Common Darter was making the most of the welcome warmth from the sunshine during the brief breaks in the clouds as was a Ruddy Darter.
 |
| Common Darter |
 |
| Ruddy Darter |
I saw a couple of Willow Emeralds one of which had the seed head from a Dandelion flower stuck in its wings.
 |
| Willow Emerald Damselfly |
I finished off my visit with a Small Red-eyed Damselfly.
 |
| Small Red-eyed Damselfly |
Birds seen this visit included: 5 Stock Dove, 4 Common Buzzard, Carrion Crows, Rooks, Wood Pigeons, 2 Blackbird, 5 Robin, Blue Tits, Great Tits, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, 5 Wren, 7 Long-tailed Tit, 8 Reed Warbler, 1 Jay, 3 Green Woodpecker, 4 Blackcap, 4 Mute Swan, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 30 Swallow, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Curlew, 15 Oystercatcher, 5 Ringed Plover, 6 Pied Wagtail, Herring Gulls, Black-headed Gulls, 3 Stonechat, 3 Turnstone, 2 Meadow Pipit, 2 Swift, 1 Whinchat, 8 Yellow Wagtails, 5 Sanderling, 2 Coot, 5 Goldfinch, 15 Linnet, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler
No comments:
Post a Comment