Monday 2 August 2010

No work this week, so I was out early for another full patch walk this morning. It wasn't such an exciting walk as yesterday, but in 4 hours I recorded 46 species, and two of those were new for August, firstly a PHEASANT (53), that was seen in the small copse behind the Greenhouse Complex, and secondly, a KINGFISHER (54) that flew along the College Stream.

Only one raptor species was seen, a SPARROWHAWK, going over Migrant Alley, being chased by 30 or so SWALLOWS. Gulls were represented by HERRING, BLACK HEADED, and LESSER BLACKBACKED, but little else of note was moving across the sky.

Other notable birds were; a migrant WILLOW WARBLER, seen along the College stream, and two adult SPOTTED FLYCATCHERS in the College Grounds, other than that it was much as I would expect.

Tomorrow I'm off to the coast around mid morning, so I'll probably get out very early and go over to Migrant Alley for a Skywatch, hoping to pick up Grey Heron and Cormorant, or maybe a new raptor for the month.

Todays photo's :-

This fox was stretched out having a kip. At first all I could see was its ear, and as I got closer I thought it was dead, however, I brushed against a twig, and saw its ear twitch, so I quickly took a photo, which woke him up, and off he shot.

Below is one of the Spotted Flycatchers seen in the college grounds


Below is a young WHITETHROAT.

The only butterfly photo I took was off this holly blue, but there was a little too much light on it.

8 comments:

Bob Bushell said...

They are fast those foxes, and the Spotted Flycatcher, I haven't seen one in a couple of years. Nice pics Warren.

Monika said...

It must have been early if you got up before the foxes! :)

Ken. said...

Hi Warren.
Looks like the fox had a rough night, still at least it found a nice sunny spot to sleep in.
Have a good day at the coast tomorrow, looks like the weather is going to be ok.

Pete Woodruff said...

Three excellent encounters, Fox, Spotted Flycatcher,and Whitethroat, accompanied by three equally excellent photographs....nice work Warren.

Lancashire and Lakeland Outback Adventure Wildlife Safaris said...

Just how do you sneak up on a sleeping fox?

Nice one

Davo

Chris said...

HI Warren,
Once again, you saw in one day the number of species I've seen in two weeks on the west coast ;-) That's plain incredible.... Well done on the pictures of the day and I hope you'll get a kingfisher shot one day... I love them!

Anonymous said...

All i ever see of a Fox is its arse end as it beats it retreat in the opposite direction. Good one Warren.

Wish i was having a day at the coast.

Jann said...

Ok now you're just showing off, ha! It's amazing that you could get so close to a fox, even sleeping...priceless shot! Nice bird photos too, I like that flycatcher one esp.