Thursday 5 May 2016

There was unbroken sunshine this morning, hazy at times, but none the less it was very welcome.

A three hour patch visit first thing, plus a shorter visit just after midday produced a few bits and pieces, with the months first GREY HERON (56) seen flying over Migrant Alley, where a YELLOW WAGTAIL (57) also flew over, adding to the May list. A couple of MANDARIN DUCKS (58)were added to the months tally, when two males were seen on the main lake.

Not much else to note bird wise, though I saw the LITTLE OWL pair together at the Small Holding and watched 5 immature MUTE SWANS fly low over the Greenhouse Grounds, where I witnessed the male KESTREL take food to the female which is in the nest box.

No breeding has been confirmed as successful yet, apart from the MOORHENS, but any day now fledged young will be out and about, especially the ROBINS, BLACKBIRDS and STARLINGS.

My afternoon foray around the Greenhouse Grounds produced the first Brimstone Butterfly, Large White Butterfly and Holly Blue Butterfly for the year, though none stopped for a photo, I also added Green Veined White Butterfly to the years list when one turned up in my garden  :-)


The two male Mandarin ducks on the main lake today


The watchful male Kestrel on duty at the Greenhouses.

4 comments:

Marc Heath said...

Cracking Mandarin Ducks. Would love to see these locally at Nethergong. They would fall in category of Mega if that ever happened.

Warren Baker said...

Marc,
They have been known to breed here, just one pair :-)

Unknown said...

I believe i saw a brimstone thurs too. I was having a break along the shipbourne rd near dene park.

Unknown said...

I believe i saw a brimstone thurs too. I was having a break along the shipbourne rd near dene park.