Birding highlights for me was at last finding a LESSER WHITETHROAT for this months list, in the hedgerow along Ashes Lane, and also watching a HOBBY chase SWALLOWS and HOUSE MARTINS around over the college grounds, where I also heard a TURTLE DOVE ''purring'' the first I have ever encountered here.
A KESTREL and a SPARROWHAWK were seen hunting around Migrant Alley, but there wasn't any sign of Migrants there yet, I suppose it is a bit early, although I have had both Stonechat and Whinchat in the last 10 days of July.
At the lake and scrub area, ( sorry I'm going to mention the 'A' word here) The first ripening fruit of Elder and Blackberry were seen, Autumn is creeping up on us! A GREY HERON fished on the lake, and the scrubby area had WHITETHROAT, BLACKCAP and CHIFFCHAFF all feeding fledglings, but still no sign of a Garden Warbler.
The best of the butterflies were seen at Migrant alley, - Common Blue and Small Copper, and the Tree Nursery/wet wood edge - Purple hairstreak where at least 3 found.
Above and Below is a SKYLARK, seen on the Pipeline workings at Migrant Alley
Below is a Female Blackcap, keeping an eye on me, as it had nearby fledglings
Above is a Common Blue Butterfly. ( I actually saw two males together, the most recorded on my patch!!)
The above Small Copper is probably the one I saw the other afternoon, it was in the same place.
I couldn't resist trying to find another Purple hairstreak! Below is a Gatekeeper
Whilst chasing the Common Blues, I flushed up this Grasshopper, what kind I don't know - Dean or Greenie job!
10 comments:
Sounds like a good day to us! Matty is sitting here with me and loves your Barn Owl photo and all the butterflies (especially the blue). Matty says hi!
The blue butterfly is really neat. I have never seen anything like it before.
Your gatekeeper butterfly is similar in appearance to our Buckeye but I have not seen but one Cabbage White this year. And the birds are limited too.
Pick a Peck of Pixels is my photo blog with a difference -- I am hoping you are the difference. For this blog to be famous and me written about in the Wall Street Journal like I was in the seventies, will require more than a couple of dozen hits a day. If 10,000 visitors leave comments then it is instantly famous and your comments are part of history. Lets Make History.
Another nice outing, well done! Real nice shots of the skylark, and the small copper!
Hi Warren. Your Butterfly skills must me getting better by the day, going by the amount of different species you can easily recognise straight away.
Great photo's especially the Skylark
Your highlight of the day is a good choice. That would be my bird of the day.Have a good weekend.
Another great set of photos and post Warren, really like the skylark shots.
Excellent photos again Warren, especially the Skylarks. Another great day in the field as well I see.
J'Ellen,
I having problems visitng your site, your blog keeps 'freezing' up and not responding. I'll try and sort it.
Warren ,
I know my name isn't Dean , but I would say that your grasshopper is a Common Green . Be interesting to see if Dean agrees , or not .
Bit of a personal question you left on mine !
Warren. I agree with Greenie.
Great set of pics & well done on adding L.Whitethroat to your monthly list.
You do see some great birds and in good numbers on your local patch Warren.
Lovely pics but those Skylarks are just great!
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