Birding and other distractions

I revisited the area which had been good for Adders 10 days ago. Weather this afternoon was pleasant with sunny periods. A total of nine individual Adders were found, including two females. None of the males had sloughed yet, though one with cloudy eyes was imminent. All snakes were seen singly except the first two males which lay together. Butterflies were also active with Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell in good numbers, plus several Brimstone and a single Comma. Two male Adders Probable female Adder  Female Adder Peacock Male Adder Male Adder Small Tortoiseshell  Probable male Adder Male Adder  Male Adder with cloudy eyes  Same individual as above 

A sunny day with a moderate NW wind. We started off at the Hanson Hide on the ARC where two Black-necked Grebe in summer plumage were present. After a while a Glossy Ibis flew in, its plumage reflecting the sunshine. The ibis had an unusual pink area on the upperparts perhaps caused by abrasion/collision?  Then to the RSPB reserve with two first-summer Little Gulls and the long-staying Great Northern Diver. Moving round to the Observatory area I stopped off first to say hello to Helen. Near the moat was a female Wheatear and several Stonechat. The final visit was to Galloways where we found two more Wheatear, one of these a fine male. Glossy Ibis Female Wheatear 

A short visit today just to TF. It was less warm than it had been in the week. Reptiles were in good numbers with 10 Slow-worms and five Adders. All but one of the Slow-worms were under refugia. I did a fair amount of 'gardening' so might have missed some Adders. None of the Adders that I did see had sloughed yet. Slow-worms taken with mobile phone  Male Adder taken with mobile phone 

A pleasantly warm day. Butterflies were much in evidence with four species being present: Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, and Brimstone. A make Blackcap sang plus a number of Chiffchaff, while typically Med Gulls were heard or seen flying over in some cases. Conditions were also ideal for Adders with six males being seen, four of these in a field I don't normally check. However, it was not all good news: sewage was pouring out of the sluice into the river at RDE. Disgraceful situation. Small Tortoiseshell  Male Brimstone  Male Adder The creek at RDE flowing with sewage.

A pleasantly bright morning, and fairly calm. I ventured out five days after my angiogram, taking it very easy. Two Adders were found in TF, one of which was melanistic. I don't remember finding a black one last year. Three Bullfinch were at the usual place in TF (north end) including a singing male. Melanistic Adder Male Adder Signs of Spring, Lesser Celandine 

Mild and sunny this afternoon. A Dartford Warbler was heard and seen well. The bird sang briefly at one stage. It was high tide and there was a big roost of Avocet just off the saltings. Difficult to be sure of numbers but at least 500. Offshore were three Red-breasted Merganser, an all female group. Also a pair of Goldeneye. Dartford Warbler  As above  Avocet

Rain was easing when we arrived at Pegwell Bay though light was poor. The long-staying pair of Twite were still present on saltmarsh below the undercliff and flew in after a short while. They were initially elusive amongst the vegetation though eventually showed before flying to nearby bushes on the shore. They remained there for 10 minutes allowing good views albeit not particularly close. Ebsfleet was the next destination where a Long-tailed Duck had been reported on a creek near the sewage farm. A moulting male, the bird was easily found and permitted ridiculously close views. Twite Long-tailed Duck