RCP 09/04/21

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A sunny morning, becoming cloudier after midday.  The blackthorn blossom looked superb.

Some new birds in the area included 1-2 Willow Warbler, singing well and feeding in the blackthorn. Nearby a Common Whitethroat was in song, with a Swallow also seen. Chiffchaff and Blackcap are present in suitable habitat throughout the area, though the latter were more often heard than seen. Brent Geese were just offshore; in the Medway this species can linger until May.

Conditions were ideal to find Adders, a total of seven being seen, starting in DE with three males.  The first there had obvious cloudy eyes, indicating the imminent skin shed. In comparison a male near BW looked very bright, having recently sloughed. In its new skin this is the first seen like this this year. Further along the path were two females, also the first for the year. Surprisingly only a single Adder was seen at CL, albeit a melanistic individual.

A small number of butterflies were active, mostly Peacock,  though one Comma at CL.


Chiffchaff

Brent Geese

Common Whitethroat

Pre-slough male Adder with cloudy eyes

Second male Adder at DE

Third male at DE

Male Adder after skin slough

Melanistic Adder

Female Adder

Comma


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