Birding and other distractions

Following the Webs count earlier this month we made a second boat trip to assess productivity of breeding species in the Medway. The tides have been generally favourable to ground nesting birds this month with no extreme high water to cause problems. Sandwich Terns appear to have had a productive season with many juveniles to be seen on the main island. At one point the whole colony was flushed by a Marsh Harrier which was quite a sight as approximately 400 terns milled around before resettling. The pair of Great Black-backed Gulls now have two large fledged young, the second year in succession that this scarce breeder has been successful in the Medway. Little Tern chicks were predictably hard to see on the main beach so it was difficult to be sure how many young have been raised. However, some birds were still sitting perhaps having relaid. The most bizarre sighting of the visit was a female Tufted Duck in the middle of the estuary leading her brood across the water, a risky manoeuvre...

A fairly brief visit to the site as the weather was less than ideal for butterflies. Cloudy skies with brighter periods, though a cool breeze kept the temperature down. We saw three Granville Fritillary, a similar number of Small Blue, and a single Dingy Skipper. Also present were Brimstone, Common Blue, and Large Skipper. Approximately 10 Bee Orchids were found on the scrape, while Common Spotted Orchids were present elsewhere, though Seek tried to make them into Marsh Orchids! Glanville Fritillary, a female. Second Glanville Fritillary  Third Granville Fritillary  Dingy Skipper Common Spotted Orchid 

Weather was mostly sunny for this trip though clouded over on the way back. A very successful visit in view of breeding birds found, around 250 Sandwich Terns and 30 Little Terns being the highlights. Although not seen at the time the pictures later revealed the presence of young Sandwich Terns, while Little Terns were still sitting tight. Mediterranean Gulls are less numerous in the Medway this summer with up to 100 birds in total. A pair of Great Black-backed Gull are still present, the female seemingly sitting on the nest,  with her mate nearby. Sandwich Terns  Sandwich Terns  Three Little Terns  Six Little Terns  Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls Great Black-backed Gull pair Common Tern

A nice couple of hours in mostly sunny weather. SB was most productive, and I was alone to enjoy it. Within a short time I'd seen Adonis Blue on the main path. Not long after I found what I thought was a mated pair of Adders in the usual area, though later examination of my picture surprisingly revealed a second male in attendance.  Near the wood there were more Adonis plus Common Blue, and both Fragrant and Bee Orchids. On leaving the site there were several Small Blue near the gate to PV. PV itself proved disappointing except for a Greater Butterfly Orchid in a spot where they had been previously found. However, the poor management of the area does not bode well for their continued presence in years to come. TF had six Slow-worms and a single sub-adult Adder under refugia. I was pleased to find a Grizzled Skipper at the north end of the site. Adonis Blue male Adonis Blue female  Adders, two males and a female. Bee Orchid  Fragrant Orchid Adonis Blue  Small Heath Sm...

We arrived at Worth at 10:30, then walked in the direction of the Great Wood. The site management is fantastic for marshland birds, plus the woodland adds another major habitat making this one of the best reserves in the county. Two female Red-Footed Falcons were present for their second day, with at least three Hobbies also seen. However, the bird of the day was a male Honey Buzzard, albeit seen briefly in flight and never close. A Little Ringed Plover was on the east scrape. Male Honey Buzzard Female Red-footed Falcon  Hobby  Kestrel 

Mostly sunny during this visit, having briefly called at Northward Hill to start with, checking out a Marsh Warbler. One of the first birds to be seen at Allhallows was a male Cuckoo, in the usual area near Ivy Fleet. Another male plus a female were heard later, south of Stoke Lagoon. A highlight of the visit was a Hobby over the flooded marsh where a Marsh Harrier was also seen. The marsh itself held many waders, including a Greenshank, and ducks including Pochard. The marsh looks promising for breeding waders such as Redshank and Lapwing, though whether they can survive the attentions of Marsh Harriers and foxes is a moot point. Two Cattle Egret were amongst a herd of cows south of Stoke Lagoon, and a pair of Stonechat were on the same marsh, albeit close to the path. Two adult Mediterranean Gulls flew over. Whitethroat (at Northward Hill) Male Cuckoo (photographed in the same area on 13th May) Sedge Warbler  Hobby  Linnet Mediterranean Gull Wall butterfly near Binney Reserv...

The last day on the island prior to our return proved a busy one. We headed west, briefly stopping at Ipsilou on route where Isabelline Wheatear and Rock Sparrow showed well. Then to Faneromeni with Short-toed Eagle on the way. At Faneromeni approx 10 Yellow Wagtail were on the track and in the adjacent field. However, most time was spent at the upper ford and track beyond. At the ford three Little Bittern were seen well. Walking the track we noticed two Turtle Dove, a Masked and a Red-backed Shrike in a field on the left. Further exploration of the field revealed approximately 10 Spotted Flycatcher and a female type Collared Flycatcher though the identity of the latter caused much head scratching. The most noticeable aspect was the general paleness of the bird, though the indistinct white primary patch was the major identification issue, and I'm still not 100% sure of the id. Back at Kalloni later in the day a Short-toed Lark was seen at the racetrack, first in song-flight then on...