Red Kites, Damselflies and Spotted Flycatchers - Shuart to Chambers Wall 27/05/21

I arrived at Shuart on a beautifully sunny morning with all of the usual resident birds in good voice. That is apart from a Ring-necked Parakeet whose strident calls cut through the air, and drowned out the melodic song of a Blackcap, as it flew round calling loudly. Several Dock Bugs were soaking up the welcome early morning warmth from the sun and a pair appeared to be mating.

Dock Bugs

I couldn't hear a Turtle Dove today but tractors were working in the fields which was resulting in a lot of background noise. Blackcap song followed me along and above a Common Buzzard was gradually gaining height. Good numbers of Holly Blue were on the wing and one looked as if it was probably newly emerged as its wings were still fairly rumpled.

Holly Blue Butterfly

As I neared the end of the hedgerow my first Orange-tip butterfly of the year was patrolling and covering a large distance in a surprisingly short space of time before flying back and beginning again. Reed and Sedge Warbler song filled the air and the the Lesser Whitethroat, I had passed earlier, his song was carrying well despite being a fair distance away now. Two pairs of Tufted Duck were in the dyke at opposite ends as well as a single male. I was pleased to see my first damselfly of the year as I neared the railway line and was expecting it to be an Azure but it was actually a Variable and made a nice start to the season.

Variable Damselfly

Variable Damselfly

In the same little patch of sheltered vegetation there was also a single Blue-tailed Damselfly as well as several Red-and-black Froghoppers Cercopis vulnerata and a Rhopalid bug Corizuz hyoscyami. I couldn't manage to get a photo of the Rhopalid without the light reflecting badly off it but it was nice to see a good mixture of insects in this one little sheltered patch.

Red-and-black Froghopper Cercopis vulnerata

Corizuz hyoscyami

I was pleased to also catch sight of a Common Lizard resting up amongst the vegetation as it sunned itself. Normally I would have seen one well before now but the long spell of cold weather has meant that this is the first one for the year for me.

Common Lizard

Coming up onto the embankment I could see another Orange-tip butterfly patrolling and was pleased to catch up with my first Common Blue butterfly of the year. It was a smart blue form female.

blue form female Common Blue Butterfly

blue form female Common Blue Butterfly

At the stables the air was stuffed full with the begging calls of young Starlings who appeared to be everywhere and were certainly making their presence known. I made my up to the sea wall but soon turned back as it was packed with people and decided to have a wander along the embankment instead. A Fulmar flew inland then west as I came off the sea wall. Coming back past the stables a Spotted Flycatcher flew up to perch at the top of one of the bushes and almost instantly a Goldfinch flew straight at it and drove it off. It perched again briefly lower down but the same thing happened again and the last I saw of it was as it headed west along the embankment. I hoped with a bit of luck that I might pick it up again further along. I came across another Variable Damselfly and also a Bishop's Mitre Shieldbug Aelia acuminata.

Variable Damselfly

Bishop's Mitre Shieldbug Aelia acuminata

Common Broomrape was in flower and the Lockheed Martin Hercules C-130J C4 I had seen on a previous visit came in off the sea and headed inland.

Common Broomrape

Lockheed Martin Hercules C-130J C4

I could see a couple of distant Red Kite heading west and they were followed shortly after with a group of 6 distant Red Kite spiralling round as they moved west as well.

Red Kite

Red Kites

I could see another first for the year ahead as a Small Heath butterfly flitted up ahead before moving further along. Another Common Blue butterfly settled near me on an Ox-eye Daisy and delicately probed the individual florets with its proboscis.

Common Blue Butterfly

I carried on having a wander along and was idly watching an Azure Damselfly when I glanced up and caught sight of another Red Kite coming through, nearer this time, which although it gave the overall impression of a Red Kite it also did not look quite right. I grabbed a few shots before it disappeared behind the hedge for me and when I looked at them at home I was increasingly puzzled. Characteristically it looked like a Red Kite but some aspects, particularly of plumage, seemed almost suggestive of Black Kite and the more I looked at any information I could find the more puzzled I became. With absolutely no experience with Black Kite I sent the photos to see what Chris thought and I am very grateful for his very helpful reply and for the photos of a Black Kite he sent which enabled me to compare my bird with one in a similar stance. Instantly I could see that, despite the puzzling aspects, my bird's character was still strongly suggestive of Red Kite in comparison to Matt's Black Kite in the photos. Its been an interesting bird for me and plumage wise unlike other Red Kites I have seen.

Red Kite

Red Kite

Red Kite

Red Kite

Single Red Kites continued to trickle through and a distant group of 5 Common Buzzards were also spiralling west. I caught sight of another damselfly. It was a smart male  but though it had broken antehumeral stripes it did not have a post ocular bar, not even the suggestion of one. Pronotum and markings however all suggested Variable. Nearby there was a handy male Azure Damselfly for comparison.

despite no post ocular bar other features suggest it is a male Variable Damselfly

despite no post ocular bar other features suggest it is a male Variable Damselfly

male Azure Damselfly

Skylarks were bursting with song and Whitethroat, Sedge and Reed Warblers were all in good voice. 2 Oystercatchers were on a bare patch of mud in one of the fields and one reacted each time to any Carrion Crow that came near. An Orange-tip Butterfly which had been actively patrolling helpfully settled to feed on the nearby Sainfoin and gave the chance to try for a few photos. The male is a very attractive butterfly.

Orange-tip Butterfly

Orange-tip Butterfly

Orange-tip Butterfly

Both a Sparrowhawk and a Marsh Harrier were up over the back fields. A Corn Bunting flew over calling as I made my way along. A Lesser Whitethroat was singing away and I continued to come across small numbers of both Variable and Azure Damselfly including 2 blue form female Variable Damselflies. 

blue form female Variable Damselfly

blue form female Variable Damselfly

Out of the wind the sun had some real warmth to it and it made a change to feel pleasantly warm as I wandered along. A Carrion Crow taking off from the top of a bush spread wings and tail to give as much lift as possible as with a deep downstroke it took to the air.

Carrion Crow

I had, what turned out to be my last Red Kite west and though I kept my eyes open I did not see anymore for the rest of the visit. They had all come through in just under a 50 minute window. A couple of smart male Common Blue butterflies were on the wing, blue flashes of colour as they flitted about. I had another damselfly, a female this time also with broken antehumeral stripes but no post ocular bar. The pronotum this time suggested Azure rather than Variable but did not look quite right for either. I obviously have a lot to learn with these. It will also be interesting to look up and see if hybrids occur or not.

Despite broken antehumeral stripe would pronotum and lack of post ocular bar suggest female Azure Damselfly?

I could hear a Cuckoo calling and above a few Swift were heading west in small numbers together with some Swallows. A Lacewing fluttered across and on landing I could see that it was a Chrysopa perla. 

Chrysopa perla

Chrysopa perla

I came off the embankment at Chambers Wall came across another couple of Variable Damselflies, 2 Blue-tailed Damselflies and an Azure Damselfly.

male Variable Damselfly

A little further on I also saw a couple of newly emerged teneral Red-eyed Damselflies.

teneral Red-eyed Damselfly

teneral Red-eyed Damselfly

I'd rather hoped for a flycatcher and was well chuffed when a Spotted Flycatcher flicked out from the hedgerow as I made my way up the track before flying up and disappearing to the other side of the hedge. I could see through a small gap that it was flycatching from the hedgerow on the other side of the field. I wondered if it could be the same one that I had seen at Shuart flying west along the embankment.

Spotted Flycatcher

I could still see it when I came up to the gap in the hedgerow and could also see another 2 Spotted Flycatchers in the bushes by the car park. Now that I wasn't expecting.

Spotted Flycatcher

Spotted Flycatcher

Spotted Flycatcher

It was about to get even better though. I left them fly catching away and started up the exit road. I was surprised when ahead I could see another 2 Spotted Flycatchers near the end of the hedgerow. I had only just turned the corner so it seemed unlikely they were the same birds from the car park but I did have a peep back just in case and no, they were still there. The five Spotted Flycatchers made a very nice end to an enjoyable visit.

Spotted Flycatcher

Spotted Flycatcher

Birds seen this visit included: 2 Pheasant, 5 Chaffinch, Jackdaws, 8 Blackbird, 1 Robin, 9 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Wood Pigeons, 2 Stock Dove, 3 Wren, 2 Ring-necked Parakeet, Skylarks, 4 Magpie, Carrion Crows, 16 Goldfinch, 1 House Martin, 3 Moorhen, 9 Common Buzzard, 2 Green Woodpecker, Sedge Warblers, 17 Whitethroat, 2 Red-legged Partridge, 2 Mistle Thrush, Reed Warblers, 8 Cetti's Warbler, 8 Swift, 2 Swallow, Herring Gulls, 2 Sand Martin, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 11 Reed Bunting, 2 Dunnock, 1 Oystercatcher, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Tufted Duck, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, Starlings, 4 Swallow, 6 Linnet, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gulls, 3 Ringed Plover, 2 Stonechat, 9 Sanderling, 3 Mute Swan, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Fulmar, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 11 Red kite, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Corn Bunting,  Cuckoo, 1 Kestrel, 5 Spotted Flycatcher

A Round Trip and a Barn Owl - Shuart via Coldharbour 24/05/19

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Marsh Harrier

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.

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.

Common Scoter

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.

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.

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.

Skylark

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.

Common Blue Butterfly

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.

Cantharis rustica

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,

Latticed Heath Moth

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.

Common Broomrape

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.

Barn Owl

Barn Owl

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,