A repeat of the warm and sunny weather was had this afternoon, a fantastic day for wildlife watching.
I spent 90 mins in the Scrubby Wood and lake area today, mainly chasing butterflies for a photo, with not a great deal of success! However 9 Species of butterfly were seen, 3 of those, the Brimstone, ( a really good record on my patch) the Red Admiral and the Speckled Wood were new for the year, the others species seen were Holly Blue, Comma, Small White, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock and Orange Tip.
As well as the butterflies there were a few birds about as well, but in the warmth of the sunshine they weren't too active. BLACKCAPS and CHIFFCHAFFS remain the loudest songsters, and I was pleased to hear two WILLOW WARBLERS as well today, no doubt they are just passing through though. GOLDCREST and COAL TITS were also singing, but less exuberantly, whilst nearby a GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER was heard to drum.
On the lakes today, there were 6 CANADA GEESE, 1 MOORHEN and the 2 COOTS, the female is now sitting on a nest, exciting times for this first time breeder!
Later in the afternoon I walked around the fields and paddocks of Migrant Alley, alas no Wheatear was seen, but two new species for April were recorded when first a LITTLE OWL (60) was heard calling from the Greenhouse Copse, and just minutes later a PEREGRINE (61) flew over. The KESTREL was also up hunting, but there was no sign of the Sparrowhawk or a Buzzard.
I managed a few photo's today, first up is one of a pair of Coal Tits
One of the Canada Geese 
and one of the 3 Peacocks seen today
This is the best I could do with the Holly Blue, the only time it alighted was on top of a Blackthorne blossom, and against the light!
Lastly a view into the Scrubby wood habitat
8 comments:
"A repeat of the warn and sunny weather was had" - nice! I can't wait until I can say the same :) All of our sunshine this month has been brief, chilly, and sandwiched by rain showers!
Great butterfly reports. When it does warm up here I look forward to going out and seeing what species I can find.
Warren ,
What happened to the Brimstone shot ?
You were obviously not running fast enough !
Snap with the Holly Blue .
Good luck with the flutters Monika. It's hard work chasing them around in the heat ;-)
Greenie,
I was sitting down at the time! I got up and chased through the brambles, but I couldn't find it! Brimstone still remains the only species recorded here that I have no photo of :-(
Time and butterflies wait for no man it seems Warren. It's funny,all through the winter we dreamed of hot sunny weather. Now it's here and it's suppressing the birds. Roll on Autumn!! :-)
It only supresses them in the afternoons Phil :-) Luverly in the mornings though !!
Hi Warren.
Nice sightings of the Butteflies today, a good amount was seen.
Well done with the little owl.
Looks like your Coots are going to be more successful than my Grebes, Warren.
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