July 1st 2007 - Cley
Originally I had planned today to be heading down to the New Forest area for a range of butterflies and dragonflies, but the ongoing saga of the British weather had put paid to these plans - so heading back over to Norfolk I was delighted when today arrived with sunshine & the prospect of some Roseate Terns to go and look at.
I arrived at Cley just after 10.00am, the Roseate's were present but almost immediately decided to depart towards Blakeney, but all three passed close by overhead even calling as they passed. The next few hours I sat with Justin Landels and others scoping through the 300+ Terns present - this proved educational as at least 2 adult Arctic Terns were located, 2 Little Terns, and at least 3 1st summer "type" Common Terns - these provided some lively debate, as some other birders muted these as Arctics. Based on a fairly extensive carpal patch - we remained confident they were Common's although 1 bird did appear to be short-legged but this can be very subjective at distance.
Around 3.00PM one of the Roseates returned. To start with it provided tantalising glimpses at the back of Arnolds scrape amongst a group of mixed Terns, however the flock got up and moved to half distance and eventually one of the Roseates appeared right out on the righthand edge of the flock, allowing a thorough examination. It was really nice as I haven't seen Roseate Tern for over 10 years and certainly never had views as good as this.
Eventually all 3 were located, once apparent they were relatively easy to pick out. They were as pale or paler than the surrounding Sandwich Terns, with bright orange legs and all dark bills. In flight they were extremely long -tailed, and with a more prominent neck & head than Arctic Tern, the call was in between Sandwich & Arctic. One of the birds carried a metal ring & colour ring, although it was impossible to discern the colours.
Also present on Arnolds Marsh 5 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 20 Black-tailed Godwit & 2 Med Gulls an adult plus a 2nd Summer.
July 6th 2007 - Beaulieu Road Station, New Forest
Stopped over at our friends Simon Woolley & Julia Casson's and then set off the next morning in search of first stop for sankes!! Unfortuantely despite Simon having photographed 3 different species here in the past we had to seetle for Keeled Skimmer 2-3, Common Darter 1-2, sev Silver studded Blue - but no sign of any snakes.
Latchmore Bottom, New Forest Grid ref SU192127.
Not to bad considering the preceding weeks & days weather10 Beautiful Demoiselle, 5 Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly. 25+ Small Red Damsel plus a many commoner sp.
Best area for SBTD is the wet area about 1/2 mile E of the car park and on the N side of the stream.
July 7th Norris Bridge, Pyestock Hill Surrey.
1 Brilliant Emerald, 4 Downy Emerald, 1 Common Emerald, 5 Red Eyed Damsel, 1 Emperor plus commonner sp. Also 1 young Mink.
A shame that this site feels like surburbia is creeping ever closer and encircling it!
July 8th Foxley Wood, Norfolk
White Admiral 4-5 in the usual area coming down on to bramble on the most easterly main path.. 100's Ringlets (many in the garden!) 20 Large Skipper, 6 Red Admiral, lots of Meadow Brown.
July 14th Fermyn Wood, Northants & Ketton Quarry, Leics.
After being tipped off by Sean Browne that the Emperors were performing well - I met up with Malc Hunt 0900am on the Saturday morning. Whilst we were distracted with other insects till around 10am, the gliding flight of a Purple Emperor soon had our attention. Eventually it alighted on the track, and a stealthy approach from behind eventually saw us with cameras right on top, we both managed our best shots too date. We also located a second Emperor on the track which climbed on to my finger!! See pics for proof at http://norfolkbirding.com/latestpics_7.html.
Also got nice pics of Ruddy Darter, with plenty of other insects for entertainment - 10 Comma, 5 Red Admiral, 1 White Admiral, 10 Small White, 20 Gatekeeper, 100's Large Skipper, 100's Ringlet, 100's Meadow Brown, 10 Southern Hawker, 10 Ruddy Darter, 5 Common Darter, 1 Emerald Damsel.
At Ketton we managed eventually to get some shots of Marbled White - truly the most difficult species yet, to photograph!!!! Also Adder seen well here nr the rusty metal sheets. Also Small Heath & Brown Hawker along with most of the commoner speci
July 16th Themelthorpe - home
Many Southern Hawker exuvia around our garden pond, also today Spotted Flycatcher & fledged Tawny Owl in nearby gardens.
Recently I have been noting Little Owls, and thus far locally I have located birds at Gately, Swanton Morley (1 juv seen), Litcham, Hackford Hall/Jordan Green (juvs here) Old Costessey, Foulsham & Kerdiston.
July 18th Old Costessey
Whilst fishing along the Wensum I had 2 Green Sands this evening, they are utilising the nearby flooded fields, also juv Grey Wag, and 2 Kingfishers. 1000's of Banded Demoiselles along here!
July 21st Holme
16 Whimbrel, 20+ Curlew, 5 Bar T godwit west & 2 SP on the shoreline, 200+ Sanderling on the hi-tide, 50 Dunlin, 1 Little Egret, 6 Green Sands, 6+ Little Tern, Ringed Plover chicks, 1 ad Med Gull. At the Obs brief views of Water Shrew on the path!!
Along the shoreline 1 dead Porpoise
Originally I had planned today to be heading down to the New Forest area for a range of butterflies and dragonflies, but the ongoing saga of the British weather had put paid to these plans - so heading back over to Norfolk I was delighted when today arrived with sunshine & the prospect of some Roseate Terns to go and look at.
I arrived at Cley just after 10.00am, the Roseate's were present but almost immediately decided to depart towards Blakeney, but all three passed close by overhead even calling as they passed. The next few hours I sat with Justin Landels and others scoping through the 300+ Terns present - this proved educational as at least 2 adult Arctic Terns were located, 2 Little Terns, and at least 3 1st summer "type" Common Terns - these provided some lively debate, as some other birders muted these as Arctics. Based on a fairly extensive carpal patch - we remained confident they were Common's although 1 bird did appear to be short-legged but this can be very subjective at distance.
Around 3.00PM one of the Roseates returned. To start with it provided tantalising glimpses at the back of Arnolds scrape amongst a group of mixed Terns, however the flock got up and moved to half distance and eventually one of the Roseates appeared right out on the righthand edge of the flock, allowing a thorough examination. It was really nice as I haven't seen Roseate Tern for over 10 years and certainly never had views as good as this.
Eventually all 3 were located, once apparent they were relatively easy to pick out. They were as pale or paler than the surrounding Sandwich Terns, with bright orange legs and all dark bills. In flight they were extremely long -tailed, and with a more prominent neck & head than Arctic Tern, the call was in between Sandwich & Arctic. One of the birds carried a metal ring & colour ring, although it was impossible to discern the colours.
Also present on Arnolds Marsh 5 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 20 Black-tailed Godwit & 2 Med Gulls an adult plus a 2nd Summer.
July 6th 2007 - Beaulieu Road Station, New Forest
Stopped over at our friends Simon Woolley & Julia Casson's and then set off the next morning in search of first stop for sankes!! Unfortuantely despite Simon having photographed 3 different species here in the past we had to seetle for Keeled Skimmer 2-3, Common Darter 1-2, sev Silver studded Blue - but no sign of any snakes.
Latchmore Bottom, New Forest Grid ref SU192127.
Not to bad considering the preceding weeks & days weather10 Beautiful Demoiselle, 5 Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly. 25+ Small Red Damsel plus a many commoner sp.
Best area for SBTD is the wet area about 1/2 mile E of the car park and on the N side of the stream.
July 7th Norris Bridge, Pyestock Hill Surrey.
1 Brilliant Emerald, 4 Downy Emerald, 1 Common Emerald, 5 Red Eyed Damsel, 1 Emperor plus commonner sp. Also 1 young Mink.
A shame that this site feels like surburbia is creeping ever closer and encircling it!
July 8th Foxley Wood, Norfolk
White Admiral 4-5 in the usual area coming down on to bramble on the most easterly main path.. 100's Ringlets (many in the garden!) 20 Large Skipper, 6 Red Admiral, lots of Meadow Brown.
July 14th Fermyn Wood, Northants & Ketton Quarry, Leics.
After being tipped off by Sean Browne that the Emperors were performing well - I met up with Malc Hunt 0900am on the Saturday morning. Whilst we were distracted with other insects till around 10am, the gliding flight of a Purple Emperor soon had our attention. Eventually it alighted on the track, and a stealthy approach from behind eventually saw us with cameras right on top, we both managed our best shots too date. We also located a second Emperor on the track which climbed on to my finger!! See pics for proof at http://norfolkbirding.com/latestpics_7.html.
Also got nice pics of Ruddy Darter, with plenty of other insects for entertainment - 10 Comma, 5 Red Admiral, 1 White Admiral, 10 Small White, 20 Gatekeeper, 100's Large Skipper, 100's Ringlet, 100's Meadow Brown, 10 Southern Hawker, 10 Ruddy Darter, 5 Common Darter, 1 Emerald Damsel.
At Ketton we managed eventually to get some shots of Marbled White - truly the most difficult species yet, to photograph!!!! Also Adder seen well here nr the rusty metal sheets. Also Small Heath & Brown Hawker along with most of the commoner speci
July 16th Themelthorpe - home
Many Southern Hawker exuvia around our garden pond, also today Spotted Flycatcher & fledged Tawny Owl in nearby gardens.
Recently I have been noting Little Owls, and thus far locally I have located birds at Gately, Swanton Morley (1 juv seen), Litcham, Hackford Hall/Jordan Green (juvs here) Old Costessey, Foulsham & Kerdiston.
July 18th Old Costessey
Whilst fishing along the Wensum I had 2 Green Sands this evening, they are utilising the nearby flooded fields, also juv Grey Wag, and 2 Kingfishers. 1000's of Banded Demoiselles along here!
July 21st Holme
16 Whimbrel, 20+ Curlew, 5 Bar T godwit west & 2 SP on the shoreline, 200+ Sanderling on the hi-tide, 50 Dunlin, 1 Little Egret, 6 Green Sands, 6+ Little Tern, Ringed Plover chicks, 1 ad Med Gull. At the Obs brief views of Water Shrew on the path!!
Along the shoreline 1 dead Porpoise
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