Had the privilege to guide the MS group around Spratt's Water. 23 people with varying disability. Excitement for all at the close encounter of two very young CHINESE WATER DEER. A few MIGRANT HAWKERS, GATEKEEPER and MEADOW BROWN. PEACOCK. All seemed to enjoy and all returned safely.
Home: Best was the screaming SWIFT at 27 above the house. Sad that we shall soon loose them. PERIGRINE over the back and fly through pair of PIED WAGTAIL. CARRION CROW, MAGPIIE, COLLARD DOVE.
This is my regular call in, with a walk just out to Lookout Hide. You just never know what can turn up so the best for me was a pair of fly in GREEN SANDPIPER. Not for long though, it being windy the birds flew in hunkered down out of sight. But also a GREAT WHITE EGERET put on a good show for the camera. It was feeding well with everything going down it's long neck. It was also odd to see it trying to catch dragonflies on the wing. One picture here shows one it missed. Also a flock of 72 LAPWING flew in.
The regular call in at PCF and it again is surprising how many GATEKEEPER butterflies are on the main bund. My guesstimate is 100. A few SWALLOW about 3 and HOUSE MARTIN. BLACKCAP and single CHIFFCHAFF. A few COMMON BLUE damselflies and a single EMPOROR DRAGONFLY.
Links Hill: On arrival our one legged MED GULL was back on stag as it sat with HERRING and BHG. But the best surprise was a single LITTLE GULL that performed well for the camera. Just great to see this diminutive bird,
The usual walk out on the marsh with the opportunity to talk with about 30 people some for the first time. Sadly had to talk with a cyclist who I asked to dismount. She did with I thought this was a bridleway. Another load of rot. Watched three GREAT WHITE EGERET and a RED KITE flew through. I also had a flock of 28 LONG TAILED TIT fly through with a few BLUE TIT. Plenty of GATEKEEPER butterflies with a very tatty TORT.
After along while I have invested in a new lap top so at last a key board that works. It is surprising how easy it is when you have the right gear. Thing is no idea.
Home: Sat outside in the garden and about mid morning the starling population started a kick off. It did not take long for a low view of a HOBBY which was more interested in the SWIFTS. Some excitement for a few minuets but soon over. This was followed by a YELLOW BRIMSTONE BUTTERFLY which spent most of the day flittering about with the CABBAGE BUTTERFLY population.
Ness: Five PIED WAGTAIL most young birds. Three OYSTERCATCHER and the same GREAT BLACK BACKED GULL.
Regular visit brought in 38 species. With SMALL WHITE BUTTERFLY and Large. Plus a single GLOW WORM.
Regular walk as volunteer guide. Birding brought in 52 species in 4 hours, best this year. It was a day of pairs. As can be seen with the RED KITE and HOBBY as well as CUCKOO with REED BUNTING. I suppose the best pic was of REED WARBLER which gave me a look round the corner. MARSH HARRIER and BUZZARD.
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