Hoo 19/09/21

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A WeBS count today on the flats (offshore at high tide) and also marsh. Good to see returning Brent Geese on the river, also a nice raft of Wigeon.

The marsh was generally quiet though small flocks of Meadow Pipits were notable along the seawall. However, the New Diggings had high numbers of birds, especially gulls, the bulk of which were c1000 Black-headed. Waders were represented by 114 Lapwing, ten Greenshank, and three Green Sandpiper.

Weather was generally warm and it proved to be a good day for reptiles, with three Slow-worm (under refugia), a brief view of a Common Lizard, plus two Wall Lizard. The Wall Lizard colony has declined in the usual area, perhaps moving inland, today being my first sighting of these reptiles this year.

A possible view of a Wall today, though plenty of Small Heath, by far the commonest butterfly. A fresh Red Admiral was seen near the New Diggings.

Slow-worm

Wall Lizard

Wall Lizard

Red Admiral




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