Birding and other distractions

A short visit to Cliffe BB pools to check out the waders and anything else that might be present. Wader numbers were somewhat disappointing on the pools, though the juvenile BW Stilt was still present after being found yesterday. The bird has been elusive though on three occasions this morning it flew around the pool before returning to the right-hand corner where it mostly disappears behind vegetation. After that I went to Rye Street where a flock of 300 Jackdaw was best. BW Stilt juvenile  Rye Street track

This site in W Sussex has been attracting birders to see Honey Buzzards, and we made the trip this morning arriving at 11 a.m. after a two-hour journey. Weather was bright though cloudy. The view over the forest from the watchpoint was fabulous. Several Honey Buzzards were seen though mostly distant. The first one was a wing-clapping individual in flight over the opposite ridgeline. Only one came close, flying swiftly over the watchpoint carrying something, probably a comb from a bee/wasp nest. A Sparrowhawk was also seen in addition to the expected Common Buzzards. A good deal easier to see were two Golden-ringed Dragonflies, hunting just below us and settling on vegetation to consume their prey. This was my first ever sighting of this impressive species. A male Yellowhammer was still in song this late in the season. Honey Buzzard  Golden-ringed Dragonfly (male) The second individual  Yellowhammer  Photo by Keith Cutting 

Arriving at 6 pm there had been no sign of the Franklin's Gull for at least an hour. Plenty of Black-headed Gulls on the river to search through though... However, after half an hour the Franklin's flew in to start feeding in the outflow from the pumping station. It was no more than 20 metres away and often the closest gull.  Described as a second summer individual it seemed to me to be probably first-summer, e.g. on account of the brown primary coverts noted in a brief flight view. Franklin's Gull Franklin's with juv Black-headed Gull Franklin's Gull on the right 

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...