Traffic report

Left home at 0955 and still hadn't got to Medmerry by 1100 hrs so gave up and went home!

In order:

Level crossing gates down for four trains.
Broken down classic car.
Road blocked by brick delivery lorry.
Road blocked by pantechnicon.
Had to turn around, stuck behind 20mph Nissan Micra.
Chichester's notorious bypass (that makes everyone local drive through the city!).
Half-term traffic.

Came home, planted French beans and walked down the road with my son looking at and smelling wild herb plants which was very enjoyable so not all bad!

Kentish Plover

I was grateful to IP & AH for letting me know that there was a Kentish Plover and a Little Stint at Church Norton this morning, found by CRJ.

The Kentish Plover was a lovely little bird and showed well through the scope although the blustery conditions did make photography somewhat challenging, as you can see! The bird was with a group of Ringed Plovers and the Little Stint (not pictured) was with the Dunlin so hopefully both are settled and might hang around for a few days.

Kentish Plover:

Kentish Plover & Ringed Plover:

Pond Dipping

Not much going on at RSPB Pulborough today but my son enjoyed the pond dipping (someone please hire Louise she was brilliant and is looking for a job in conservation) and we did manage seven species of butterfly and a Nightingale on a pleasant day. Solly found a larvae of something in the pond and no one knew what it was, that's my boy! As an aside, a Green Hairstreak was seen recently by a reliable witness so hopefully they may be making a comeback on the site.

Beautiful Demoiselle, Pulborough:

SPBF

And back to Bentley Wood this morning...it didn't look promising with a massive downpour and then thick cloud, but as the sun came out so the butterflies started to move, one of which was (get in!) a Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary. It was super fresh too, so I presume it emerged pretty recently. On the upperside, note the chevrons are connected and that they meet the outer edge; the spots are also closer to the outer edge; on the underside the colour mosaic can be seen although I couldn't get a great photo of these.

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary:

Scorpion Fly:

Mother Shipton moth:

Speckled Yellow moth:

Bentley Wood

Went over to Bentley Wood on the Wiltshire/Hampshire border today for a look for Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary today but no joy unfortunately, one was claimed whilst I was there but had mysteriously vanished a few minutes later and couldn't  be re-found... Did have mating Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Marsh Fritillary, Speckled Wood & Brimstone though as well as Blackcap and Speckled Yellow moth (don't panic I'm not getting into moths, honest). A return trip in the next few weeks beckons.


Marsh Fritillary:

Pearl-bordered Fritillary:

Speckled Yellow (a moth, I'm obviously losing it...):

In Camera

A Laughing Gull was seen today in Hastings, showed well, hopefully be there Friday though it's not looking good at the moment! Update: it's in Dungeness!!! 😟

Well it made me laugh, from a nature Facebook group:

"Probably best to keep the location secret (not) publicly disclosed. You can personal message me as I'm a keen wildlife photographer. The last thing is for its habitat to be threatened by photographers all trying to get the best shot at the cost of it's habitat". 

Stilt Sand

And the Stilt Sandpiper was indeed there this morning, video & pics to follow of what was a lifer for me.

Stilt Sandpiper, short video


Stilt Sandpiper:

Stilt Sandpiper, video grab showing the Stilt-like legs: