Hoo marsh 7th June

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I did a WeBS count for Hoo marsh today. The marsh is very dry after the lack of rain in May so waterbirds were thin on the ground. Just one lapwing was seen suggesting they have had a bad breeding season. Also two Avocet and two Oystercatcher, one of the latter sitting on a nest. On the way back it was nice to see at least eight House Martins flying around the fishing lakes.

I checked the site for Wall Lizards. A few spots of rain had started to fall so not the ideal conditions for these sun loving reptiles. I did see two, the first a male hiding in cracks of the wall. I have never before observed the blue spots along the flanks as in this individual. However, it is apparently not unusual for males to show this during the breeding season. The second lizard was a female which dashed out briefly to catch an insect.







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