14/05/23

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A late start today, arriving on site at midday. The sun was shining and it was pleasantly warm.

No sooner after parking the car than I could hear a singing Firecrest. The bird was eventually seen, though high up in the trees. At least four other Firecrest were heard during the course of the visit.

Walking along the forest ride I saw a Goshawk circling above the tree tops several hundred metres away.  The bird never came closer though was watched for about a minute before it disappeared. A second, closer Goshawk called from within the forest, very likely the mate of the original bird.

Arriving at BB a Duke of Burgundy was found without difficulty. At least four individuals were eventually seen.

A good orchid display, especially Lady Orchid, though also some Early Spotted. I didn't realise quite how scarce Lady Orchid is in UK.

On the way back a singing Tree Pipit was a nice find in an area previously coppiced. The bird was singing constantly though remained out of view.

Arriving back at the car park a Garden Warbler was in fine song.

Later, whilst driving to Oare Marshes a Mediterranean Gull flew over the car near the site, now becoming a notable sighting in view of the apparent disappearance of these birds in the Medway following the bird flu epidemic.

It was high tide so there were relatively few birds on the east flood at Oare although water levels were also very high in view of the wet spring. Four Black Tailed Godwit showed varying extent of summer plumage.

A probable Turtle Dove was seen distantly in scrub to the west of the cottages, while a Green Hairstreak was briefly alongside the road.

Goshawk





Duke of Burgundy 

As above

A second, more worn, Duke of Burgundy 

Lady Orchid 

Early Spotted Orchid 

Tiger Beetle

Stonechat with butterfly, and male Linnet



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