Birding and other distractions

We left early for Bempton RSPB, arriving at 5 a.m. Weather there was poor, windy and cold, with light rain.  No sign of the Black-browed Albatross for two hours so briefly walked back to the car. Then we heard it had been seen so promptly returned and over the next two hours enjoyed views of the bird as it flew along the cliff.  Despite the albatross size it was often difficult to pick up amongst a mass of Gannets but on a couple of occasions gave very close views, at one point overhead. The bird eventually settled on the cliff amongst Gannets and was seen well through the 'scope. Plenty of other seabirds at Bempton of course, especially Guillemots and Kittiwakes, but also reasonable numbers of Puffin. Near the RSPB centre, there was a good population of Tree Sparrow, with some nesting in the roof of the building. On the way back opportunity was taken to revisit the Roller in Suffolk, especially as Keith had yet to see it. It was a bit closer this time allowing slightly better...

A pleasant few hours starting off with first of year Marbled White on the downland. Emergence has now started with several easily found after seeing none at all only two days ago. The sun went in when walking through PV so butterflies became quiet. Nevertheless, a patch of orchids provided interest, with several each of Greater Butterfly and Bee Orchids. Three Slow-worms were found in total, two of these (a pair together) in DV. The upper slopes of SB had impressive numbers of orchids, mainly Fragrant but also Spotted Orchids and Pyramidal. On the bottom of the downland here a Dark Green Fritillary posed well on a low growing thistle with had impressively large flowers. Whilst in PV we heard a Quail in nearby SB. It was calling from the east facing slopes of the valley, and had presumably moved from its original location rather than being a second bird. Marbled White Greater Butterfly Orchid Bee Orchid Strawberry Banks Spotted Orchid Dark Green Fritillary Dark Green Fritillary Painted ...

A fine morning becoming cloudier in the afternoon. The European Roller was seen well in a sheep field at Icklingham, albeit rather distant most of the time.  Only my second Roller in the UK after the bird at East Budleigh (Devon) in June '89. Hickling Broad NWT was recommended as the best place to see Swallowtail butterfly so was the next destination. On arrival at the reserve there was little sunshine and for 30 minutes no sign of the butterflies, although Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell and Painted Lady were active. However, as it got brighter so the Swallowtails appeared, up to three feeding on bramble flowers at close range.  They were very mobile and challenging to photograph, though good results were eventually obtained. The site was buzzing with dragonflies, mainly Norfolk Hawkers which frustratingly never landed. Birds at the reserve were no less impressive, especially on Brendon's Marsh where I was lucky to see a flyover Collared Pratincole.  Also present were 2...

A  dry, sunny day to break the recent spell of poor weather. Beginning the walk on SB the Bee Orchids were still in flower, though now well past their best.  Fragrant and Pyramidal Orchids were the dominant species, especially on the far side of the site where the grass is thinner. Butterflies were very active in PV, with a number of fresh Red Admirals and several Small Tortoiseshell. One-two dark Green Fritillary were feeding on thistle flowers, though were constantly on the move. Surprisingly there was no obvious sign of Marbled White here or DV. Other insects of interest were a couple of hornet hoverfly ( Volucella zonaria ) also present on the thistles, two horseflies on the metal gate, plus a damselfly though to be an immature male Common Blue. Reptile interest was provided by a fine female Slow-worm in PV, and two Adders in TF, one a juvenile the other a male, possibly both seen before. Whilst in TF I heard what I thought was a Quail in the field above. Investigating fur...

Collard Hill in Somerset is known as one of the best sites to see the Large Blue butterfly, though there had been little information on emergence of the adults this June. However, by 16th I felt there was a good chance to see them, and the weather being forecast to break overnight helped make up my mind to travel down. The view from the top of the hill was spectacular though the butterflies were present on a slightly lower slope where the larval food plant (thyme) was more evident. I saw around five adult Large Blue though most were very active seldom stopping to land, and on the odd occasion when one did the wings were not held open. Fortunately, one adult was found resting up in a hedgerow and which gave extended views albeit only of the underside of the wing. Less than ten miles away is the great reserve of Ham Wall RSPB, and by good fortune the long staying River Warbler had been reported a couple of times in the morning. Arriving at 2 p.m. the weather was very warm, so made my way...

A glorious morning for the 2nd (late) Breeding Bird Survey at this site, with 34 species in total being recorded. Plenty of activity from the usual warblers: Sedge, Reed, and Whitethroat. Two Buzzard also seen, plus two Green Sandpipers, the waders presumably very early southbound migrants. Rushenden is a very good site for Green Sandpiper, two also being found at the same time last year during the survey, in addition to regular sightings in winter for WeBS. However, the highlight of the visit was finding two broods of Pochard, each with seven ducklings. An even bigger family of Gadwall contained ten ducklings. Family of Pochard 2nd family of Pochard Common Buzzard