Eastchurch Marshes 13/06/22

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A glorious morning for the final visit to this survey site in BWoWM.

Unlike the other marshes recently surveyed (Allhallows and Filborough) waders have bred at Eastchurch, with three pairs of Lapwing having a total of five young, now fully independent of the adults. The behaviour of a pair of Redshank was also indicative of young being present, and I briefly saw one chick.

Three pairs of Shelduck were on the marsh, one of which had seven ducklings.

As on the previous visit the cattle were very inquisitive, coming over to check me out.

Eastchurch is a relatively small site and finishing at 10:30 I decided to call in at Bredhurst on the way back.  Unfortunately it had largely clouded over by the time I arrived, so few butterflies were seen, though seven (sub-adult) Slow-worms and a juvenile Adder were found.

Eastchurch Marsh

One of the scrapes at Eastchurch

Young Shelduck 

Cattle checking me out!

Slow-worm 

Juvenile Adder

Greater Butterfly Orchid


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