Wednesday, May 08, 2013

Wednesday Update!

The briefest of visits to Napton church yard on Tuesday morning in search of early Spotted Flycatchers produced little of note, but to be honest I didn't really do it justice with imminent chores to complete back aboard!

Lesser Whitethroat - Right Place, Right Time!
A not so early start at Brandon Marsh today after the early morning rain had moved through produced the usual selection of Warblers. These included a Grasshopper Warbler, well photographed recently and still reeling on Swallow Pool reeds opposite the Golf Course and Lesser Whitethroat, which is still singing away just further along the path near Olive Bench. In fact as I passed by he popped up and I managed a slightly better shot than my previous attempt. A good showing of Garden Warbler today too with (5) recorded around the reserve.

Hobby Record Shot - My 1st This Year!
With low cloud and a slight drizzle a good number of Hirundines were low over the pools, which included a dozen or so House Martins, but these were way outnumbered by a real increase in Swifts today, brought down by the low cloud ceiling. Around mid-morning the cloud dissipated to give way, despite the forecast, to a pretty decent morning and while down at the screened area on Newlands my first Hobby of the year swooped in before flying high towards the golf course.

I was hoping that the overnight rain may have brought in something new to the pools, sadly not and today's Wader numbers included (2) Ringed Plover, (6) Little-ringed Plover, (4) Redshank, (2) Oystercatcher, (2) Common Sandpiper, plus three Lapwing chicks on Wigeon Bank. Also of note: (2) Common Tern, (2) Cuckoo, (4) Buzzard, (2) Sparrowhawk and (1) Kestrel.

Small White
With decent conditions for most of the morning, a reasonable number of Butterflies were on the wing, which included: (17) Orange Tip, (1) Brimstone, (2) Small Tortoiseshell, (4) Green-veined White, (2) Comma, (2) Peacock and (1) Small White.