Dense fog at Migrant Alley, visibility was down to 30m in placesI did the last full patch walk of June anyway, but it was pretty hopeless in the conditions, just 40 species were recorded in 4 hours, that's worse than yesterday, and that was bad enough!
I found one of the SPOTTED FLYCATCHERS at the College Grounds, and had some close views of it, the photo's were pretty rubbish, as no manner of Camera adjustments could defeat the poor light.
The Nuthatch below was found over at the Scrubby Woods, it was with a flock of LONG TAILED TITS plus a few BLUE and GREAT TITS and a TREECREEPER - this was the highlight of the visit!!
At the end of the walk I went over to Migrant Alley, it was 9:30 and the fog had lifted into high cloud, allowing me to do some skywatching, a LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL flew over, as did two MISTLE THRUSHES, the first LINNET of the morning was found in the Greenhouse Complex behind my seat, where also a family of BLACKCAPS were chasing around, 14 SWIFTS were feeding high up, I left soon after with 44 species on the list, well down on what it should be.Half an hour after being home the cloud broke, and hot sunshine poured through, I'd been cheated somewhere along the line!!!
Just look at the blue sky behind this WOODPIGEON that I photographed in the garden
This CHAFFINCH, also in the garden was lapping up the sunshine
After a bite to eat, and a cooling drink, I decided to go over to the Scrubby Woods for a Butterfly watch, I found quite a few about too, the 3 White species were abundant, Red Admiral, Comma, Speckled Wood, and loads of Small Skippers were about, plus a Meadow Brown every few yards, but best of all was the Purple Hairstreak, below.
Whilst there I recorded the missing species from this morning, COAL TIT, COOT, CANADA GOOSE and a GREY HERON making 48 for the day, more where it should be, but there wasn't a single raptor about.
12 comments:
Look at my comment yesterday Warren, guess I was right. It cleared here on Sheppey at around 7.30 and has been blistering ever since. Had a good variety of stuff on the reserve this morning.
Oh dear! It seems you were too much of an early bird. Nothing wrong with the Spotty Fly photo and that is a lovely one of the Nuthatch :)
Well done on the PH!
Derek, the weather said early mist and murk soon clearing, not dense Autumnal fog for most of the morning!!
Songbird,
You are being your kind self again :-)
Stop arguing with the above about shooting though, he took his blinkers off and was blinded by the Bullshit!
You've got me laughing now :) :)
Really, the weather forecast that I saw said "slow to clear in some areas" - perhaps you are wearing those rose-tinted glasses too much.
Ive heard of Gorillas in the Mist but Horses in the Fog is a new one on me mate!
Cracking Purple Hairstreak photo Warren and Spot Fly too (send one to shenstone please as I'm devoid of flycatchers this year!)
Warren ,
Fog ? What fog ?
Nice one with the PH .
Now for the top wing .
Hi Warren
Bit of a disappointing day for you, although 40+ species is pretty good in my appinion for a bad day.
Nice photo of the Purple Hairstreak.
I'd never go as far as to regard any of your photographs as 'rubbish' Warren.
We had that "colour" blue sky all day, Warren.
It must have been a Purple Hairstreak day, has i had my first one of the year.
I looked for PH at New Hythe yesterday Warren, but couldn't find ond. What a contrast between the horse picture and the pigeon picture!
Well you were right, it eventually cleared up and the last pictures are splendid.... The weather has been tricky over here and I've almost did not go out in the last 10 days!
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