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...
