Colyford Scrape this morning had two Ringed Plover and six Dunlin on it. Which although poor - is twice as good as yesterday morning!
In May most years we get flocks of Dunlin in three figures on the Estuary - but not this year! It really has been woefully poor for wading birds this month - I think the distinct lack of rain has a lot to do with it. The beach is usually a really good place for resting spring migrant wading birds - I've 'endured' several morning beach walks over the past few weeks and haven't seen a single wader!
Anyway that is more than enough negativity from me in this post, so here are a few snaps I've taken over the past couple of days... (yes you can tell it is quiet because I am pointing my camera at these birds!)...
Three breeding plumage Little Egrets acquiring breakfast outside Colyford Common hide yesterday
How exciting - a Canada Goose!!
A Mistle Thrush collecting food in Axmouth - a nice juicy caterpillar and a worm for its chicks
A singing male Yellowhammer at Axmouth
Last night I had a moth trap out in that back garden, a few more new species for the year were amongst the 34 moths of 13 species...
1 Red Twin-spot Carpet
1 Silver-ground Carpet
1 Scalloped Hazel
1 Peppered Moth
2 Poplar Hawkmoth
1 Elephant Hawkmoth
2 Orange Footman
2 Shuttle-shaped Dart
9 Heart and Dart
1 Hebrew Character
1 Ingrailed Clay
8 Trebble Lines
6 Vine's Rustic
Elephant Hawkmoth
Ingrailed Clay
In May most years we get flocks of Dunlin in three figures on the Estuary - but not this year! It really has been woefully poor for wading birds this month - I think the distinct lack of rain has a lot to do with it. The beach is usually a really good place for resting spring migrant wading birds - I've 'endured' several morning beach walks over the past few weeks and haven't seen a single wader!
Anyway that is more than enough negativity from me in this post, so here are a few snaps I've taken over the past couple of days... (yes you can tell it is quiet because I am pointing my camera at these birds!)...
Three breeding plumage Little Egrets acquiring breakfast outside Colyford Common hide yesterday
How exciting - a Canada Goose!!
A Mistle Thrush collecting food in Axmouth - a nice juicy caterpillar and a worm for its chicks
A singing male Yellowhammer at AxmouthLast night I had a moth trap out in that back garden, a few more new species for the year were amongst the 34 moths of 13 species...
1 Red Twin-spot Carpet
1 Silver-ground Carpet
1 Scalloped Hazel
1 Peppered Moth
2 Poplar Hawkmoth
1 Elephant Hawkmoth
2 Orange Footman
2 Shuttle-shaped Dart
9 Heart and Dart
1 Hebrew Character
1 Ingrailed Clay
8 Trebble Lines
6 Vine's Rustic
Elephant Hawkmoth
Ingrailed ClayOff to work for me now - something I seem to be doing too much of, of late...
Martha walked home from the bus stop along the beach on Monday evening and saw three Whimbrel...she did an excellent impression of their call too!! So there have been some. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI have got to hear that impression!!!!
ReplyDelete