Getting up to date

 As I sat in the back garden I often see PERGRINES flying through and also an occasional SPARROWHAWK. There is also a regular call of an OYSTERCATCHER heading for Loathingland Lake. But it was a surprise late one night, that 12 p-m to hear a bird call over the house and as I new exactly what it was and checked it out and sure enough it was a WATER RAIL In fact Mary even heard it as she went to bed. Again on Saturday I noticed a small butterfly in the garden. Turned out to be an ESSEX SKIPPER. I also added at Pathways today a first for site in a COMMON BLUE BUTTERFLY. Also 14 GATEKEEPER. FOUR MEADOW BROWN and Steve released a PURPLE EMPORER from a polytunnel on Friday.

Carlton Marsh SWT

 Thanks to SWT for the opportunity to get in the wild as they loaned me the disability scooter, without it there is no way that I could get around. So indebted to all staff and the organisation. The day warmed up as it went on and by the end of the day it was very pleasant. Birding was as it always is at the end of June, in other words don't expect to much. Nothing of majo0r interest, but then we get to blasé. But I did get a good pic of SEDGE WARBLER, but not very natural as it sat on a barred wire fence. In respect of major interest I managed to get a bad pic of several LESSER . A first for me.

Carlton Marsh SWT

 Here again and good to meet up with some old friend. Let alone other volunteers and those who just love to walk the marshes. I most enjoyed the obliging HARE who stood for ages without any movement. Altogether 33 species and SMALL TORT, FOUR SPOTTED CHASSER, NORFOLK HAWKER, LONG TAILED SKIMMER. Several SWIFTS and SWALLOW, SAND MARTIN and only one LITTLE EGERET.

Pathways Care Farm

 Regular visit and despite the shortage of water things are very much alive. The wild daises along the bund are remarkable. With 23 species and three new dragonflies for the year with EMPORER, BROAD BODIED and BLACK TAILED SKIMMER. The COOT has now made a floating nest and is incubating. There is also at least one LITTLE GREBE chick.

Abberton Reservoir

 A short call in with family brought in a few YELLOW WAGTAIL, COMMON TERN, COMMON TERN, GREAT  CREASTED GREBE and so many MUTE SWANS.

Carlton Marsh, SWT

 Regular visit produced three WALL BROWN butterflies at the end of Share Track by the river. Also HAIRY DRANGONFLY, FOUR SPOTTED CHASSER, NORFOLK HAWKER. Also the very odd JACKDAW with a white tail, pale under belly and only seven primaries instead of 10.

Carlton Marsh SWT

 The RFF have been around for a week now so rather late to the party but they are still there. Not the best light for photography but some made the game. So see below. But the real thing was a stunner, not that with bins I could see it that well. But confirmed by pics from other birders. It looked like a BOOTED EAGLE to me. Some are saying its  a white headed buzzard. But n not the in flight pics which show good distinguishing  features. No pale phase buzzard in my book but what do I know. Also a BITTERN flew through and HOBBYS with the RFF.

    Back of the camera shot