Wednesday 21 August 2013

Whinchats & Wheatears

Lade - 0600hrs - warm, dry and sunny, light airs - Following a clear moonlit night it was no surprise that moth numbers were low this morning, although there seemed to be an influx of Marbled Greens and Cypress Pugs. Once an early sea mist had cleared it was a stunning morning and with little wind migrants were easier to locate. Willow Warblers could be heard in back garden shrubs from the off with more grounded on the storm beach scrub towards the pits, along with several Common Whitethroats (one in full song!) and a Lesser Whitethroat. On the Desert 3 Whinchats and 5 Wheatears, plus 3 Yellow Wagtails and a Greenshank overhead calling and a hovering Kestrel. Nothing new on south lake, although the glassy surface was covered in waterfowl and gulls. A scan from the aerial mound revealed 2 Common Buzzards and singles of Marsh Harrier and Peregrine behind the `mirrors`, plus 5 Swifts south.
On the walk back loads of Common Blues basking on bankside vegetation and 2 more Whinchats noted, while in the garden the buddleia was smothered in mainly Small Tortoiseshells (35 at one stage), several Peacocks, whites and a Comma.

                                          Cypress Pug, Lade

                                          Marbled Green, Lade
                                              Small Tortoiseshell, Lade


ARC - A midday check from Hanson revealed the waders to be nervy due to a marauding Peregrine. Eventually they settled where amongst 300 Lapwing were 110 Golden Plover, 3 Dunlin, Greenshank, Snipe and Blackwit, while a Garganey and 6 Wigeon lurked within the numerous dabbling ducks. Also noted 6 Little Egrets, Green Woodpecker, Willow and Reed Warblers and 30 Sand Martins.
There were further reports on Whinchats at Dungeness and around the bird reserve.

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