Caspian Stonechat:
Thursday, 12 May 2016
Caspian Turn
Oops silly me! forgot about the Caspian Stonechat! Saw it at Titchfield on Wednesday morning, well found and ID'd by Amy Robjohns, absolutely cracking bird! My pictures don't do it justice because a) I'm a bit crap at taking photos & b) it was really raining!
Caspian Stonechat:
Caspian Stonechat:
Onward & Upward
Culture Shock - Onwards & Upwards (full album)
The above was the soundtrack to many a free festival in the 80s & 90s, oh the tales of Stonehenge I could tell...
A good day for Sussex today with several Red-rumped Swallows, a Serin, a Blue-headed Wagtail and a Golden Oriole on the scene, I connected with none of these (did go for the Oriole, no joy) but it does give hope that there is something even better just around the corner, we shall see.
At Ivy Lake, at least 20 Common Terns and all the usual commoner warblers including the Chiffchaff with the odd song which whilst not anything special (ie: Iberian) is worth hearing the nonetheless. The Black Swan also showed nicely right by the parking area, it's a pretty bird, well I like it anyway!
Black Swan:
Common Tern:
The above was the soundtrack to many a free festival in the 80s & 90s, oh the tales of Stonehenge I could tell...
A good day for Sussex today with several Red-rumped Swallows, a Serin, a Blue-headed Wagtail and a Golden Oriole on the scene, I connected with none of these (did go for the Oriole, no joy) but it does give hope that there is something even better just around the corner, we shall see.
At Ivy Lake, at least 20 Common Terns and all the usual commoner warblers including the Chiffchaff with the odd song which whilst not anything special (ie: Iberian) is worth hearing the nonetheless. The Black Swan also showed nicely right by the parking area, it's a pretty bird, well I like it anyway!
Black Swan:
Common Tern:
Tuesday, 10 May 2016
Dartford Crossing via Grasshopper Field
My "secret" Dartford Warblers appear to be doing well judging from a very brief look from a discrete distance this morning. Incidentally, I'll blow my own trumpet and say I was right about the Grasshopper Warbler down the west side of Pagham as it popped up today (OK it could be a different bird but I'm taking it anyway!)
Monday, 9 May 2016
Ivy Lake
Half a dozen Common Terns on Ivy Lake but not much else of interest.
A report of Storm Petrels at Selsey reminded me of when I used to tag along on fishing trips off Selsey (called "going on a pelagic" now I believe!). On one trip I saw literally dozens of Petrels flitting over the waves like House Martins over a lake; this was around the Utopia area so called for its reputation for throwing up large Tope. Now they were the days 😉
Sunday, 8 May 2016
Trudge
My butterfly count from a trudge round Rewell Wood today:
2 Pearl-bordered Fritillary, 6 Peacock, 2 Brimstone, 1 Red Admiral, 2 Large White.
Brilliant views of a Garden Warbler too, much better than the PBFs which were a bit flighty and which I kept losing in the scrub, annoying after yesterday's Green Hairstreaks also wouldn't pose for pictures.
Brilliant views of a Garden Warbler too, much better than the PBFs which were a bit flighty and which I kept losing in the scrub, annoying after yesterday's Green Hairstreaks also wouldn't pose for pictures.
This evening an Osprey flew west over the farm.
At Ivy Lake this morning, we saw a Peregrine fly low past Solomon and I with what looked like the Black Tern reported there earlier in its talons; there was no sign of the Tern either way just a few Common Terns over the water.
At Ivy Lake this morning, we saw a Peregrine fly low past Solomon and I with what looked like the Black Tern reported there earlier in its talons; there was no sign of the Tern either way just a few Common Terns over the water.
Saturday, 7 May 2016
Aurelian
A million miles away from a seawatch, it was fantastic to be out on the South Downs today butterflying.
A look at Kithurst and Chantry Hill was fairly productive for the number of species seen if not for the number of butterflies themselves. At Kithurst Meadow, a single Duke of Burgundy was out early, favouring the opposite end to the gate along with two Dingy Skippers whilst at Chantry Hill, two Green Hairstreaks at TQ083125 were the highlights. Other species seen: Red Admiral (1), Orange Tip (1), Brimstone (6), Large White (4), Small White (3), Peacock (3), Small Tortoiseshell (1).
Kithurst Meadow is a nice, easy access site, a two minute stroll form the car park at Kithurst Hill. Chantry Hill can be accessed from either Kithurst or Chantry Hill car parks but to get to the site (grid ref above) the walk is quite arduous and the slopes on the hill themselves are very steep so not for the faint hearted!
Orange Tip:
Dingy Skipper:
Brimstone:
Yellowhammer, Chantry Hill, the friendliest Yellowhammers ever up here!
A look at Kithurst and Chantry Hill was fairly productive for the number of species seen if not for the number of butterflies themselves. At Kithurst Meadow, a single Duke of Burgundy was out early, favouring the opposite end to the gate along with two Dingy Skippers whilst at Chantry Hill, two Green Hairstreaks at TQ083125 were the highlights. Other species seen: Red Admiral (1), Orange Tip (1), Brimstone (6), Large White (4), Small White (3), Peacock (3), Small Tortoiseshell (1).
Kithurst Meadow is a nice, easy access site, a two minute stroll form the car park at Kithurst Hill. Chantry Hill can be accessed from either Kithurst or Chantry Hill car parks but to get to the site (grid ref above) the walk is quite arduous and the slopes on the hill themselves are very steep so not for the faint hearted!
Orange Tip:
Dingy Skipper:
Brimstone:
Yellowhammer, Chantry Hill, the friendliest Yellowhammers ever up here!
Friday, 6 May 2016
Goodbye to all that
Black Sabbath - Tomorrow's Dream
And so it's au revoir to Selsey Bill as I end my 2016 Pomarine Skua campaign on 25 which for me is pretty damn good, especially as it's 25 more than 2015! Seen a few other good birds including today's Garganey and some quality Black Terns & Little Gulls but now I'm off to do butterflies and a bit of more gentle ambling around fresh fields & pastures new.
Gadwall, Selsey Bill:
Black Terns, Selsey Bill:
Yellow Wagtail, Selsey Oval field, last Monday:
Skylark, Oving, Wednesday, also saw a Wheatear in Oving on the same day:
And so it's au revoir to Selsey Bill as I end my 2016 Pomarine Skua campaign on 25 which for me is pretty damn good, especially as it's 25 more than 2015! Seen a few other good birds including today's Garganey and some quality Black Terns & Little Gulls but now I'm off to do butterflies and a bit of more gentle ambling around fresh fields & pastures new.
Gadwall, Selsey Bill:
Black Terns, Selsey Bill:
Yellow Wagtail, Selsey Oval field, last Monday:
Skylark, Oving, Wednesday, also saw a Wheatear in Oving on the same day:
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