tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80082748171769091582024-03-12T21:10:06.838-07:00Alex Berryman's BlogAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276500058265414328noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008274817176909158.post-76986125718577853542016-10-16T14:31:00.004-07:002016-10-16T14:31:54.665-07:00Spurn ~ 14 OctoberA thoroughly enjoyable day, the highlight of which was undoubtedly the <b>Siberian Accentor</b> (UK325) opposite the Easington Gas Terminal.<br />
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A walk down the point was profitable with a self-found and very showy Dusky Warbler along with SEO, 30+ Mealy Redpoll, 20 Ring Ouzel, 10 Woodcock, Little Gull, 100 WF Geese, 2 Bean Geese. Perhaps most impressive was the fall of thrushes and finches across the spit, including 60+ Brambling on the beach.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276500058265414328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008274817176909158.post-60681377339686686992016-06-30T15:00:00.000-07:002016-10-16T15:00:21.345-07:00New Forest ~ 30 JuneA day spent in the New Forest with 2 primary targets: Bog Orchid & <i>pumilio. </i>The former was out in reasonable numbers at the usual site near Stoney Cross.<br />
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A trip to Mill Lawn Brook was unproductive with high water levels eliminating any chance of <i>pumilio</i> and just one <i>mercuriale </i>was found. Onto Latchmore Brook where <i>pumilio</i> were out in force with approximately 150 on the two usual flushes 1mile or so east of the main car park. These included ~8 aurantiaca. Just 6 <i>mercuriale</i> were found - it appears to have been a very poor year for this species.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276500058265414328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008274817176909158.post-75656418033093121432016-06-26T08:27:00.000-07:002016-10-16T13:44:16.556-07:00Thursley Common & Hankley Common ~ 19 June, 20 June & 26 June2 visits to new areas of Thursley Common away from the popular Moat Car Park. Effort was concentrated towards the southern end, where mosaic-style management seems to be a lot more prominent and consequently the area is a lot more biodiverse.<br />
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<b>Dartford Warbler, Woodlark, Tree Pipit</b> & <b>Redstart</b> are all in good numbers, the latter appearing to have had a particularly good year.<br />
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<b>Silver-studded Blues</b> are thinly distributed with the exception of one dense population on the western edge. A ~50m transect yielded 48. Numbers of <i><b>Bombus lucorum </b></i>across the site are very impressive along with smaller numbers of <i><b>hypnorum</b></i> & <i><b>terrestris</b></i>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bombus lucorum (M)</td></tr>
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Ammophila </i>wasps were abundant and consequently one lone Mottled Bee-fly (<i><b>Thyridanthrax fenestratus</b></i>) was found on my latter visit.<br />
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A trip to Hankley Common Golf Course on the 20th June was notable for 1 Mottled Bee-fly but most impressively for <i style="font-weight: bold;">Textrix denticulata, </i>seemingly a first for Surrey and a very rare sighting in the SE of England.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276500058265414328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008274817176909158.post-23367383554931131012016-06-17T23:30:00.000-07:002016-06-18T14:13:43.028-07:00Warren Heath/Garden ~ 17 JuneFirst trip of the year was a success with a teneral <i>metallica (</i>my earliest ever) among extremely good numbers of patrolling Downy Emeralds (<i>Cordulia aenea). </i>Keeled Skimmer numbers are building but are some way off their peak. Small-red numbers were noticeably lower than at other sites - the site certainly seems to have deteriorated over the past few years.<br />
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A nice surprise upon return to the garden with a Hylaeus confufus nesting in some holes on a concrete fence post (photographed here with a nectar/pollen mix used to fill the nest).<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276500058265414328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008274817176909158.post-5897573592447935282016-06-15T23:30:00.000-07:002016-06-17T04:09:37.566-07:00East Blean Woods ~ 15 JuneA trip to East Blean Woods in search of <b>Heath Fritillaries </b> parking <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/East+Blean+Woods+Carpark/@51.3351799,1.1404163,970m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x47deb553c5f62ed3:0x9bec1f1f1c6aa7b6!2sEast+Blean+Woods!8m2!3d51.3371673!4d1.1403251!3m4!1s0x0000000000000000:0x5f7324cdae29f91d!8m2!3d51.3358268!4d1.1474919?hl=en" target="_blank">here</a> and exploring the clearings nearby. Following a heavy rain shower, the humidity was high which brought out a dozen or so fritillaries which favoured vegetation >1m in length. During periods of sunny weather their flight was strong and flicking, but immediately became inactive and approachable during periods of cloud.<br />
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The only other butterflies seen at the site were 1 Red Admiral, 2 Holly Blue & 1 Speckled Wood.<br />
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2 Green-eyed (Norfolk) Hawker were a nice surprise, presumably dispersing from nearby Westbere Marshes, and good numbers of hoverflies were making use of the coppiced clearings, including several of the impressive <i>Volucella inflata.</i><br />
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A brief trip to Westbere Marshes on the way home found another couple of Green-eyed Hawker and this female Hairy Dragonfly feeding on a bee. <div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276500058265414328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008274817176909158.post-20312581795955440842016-06-05T23:30:00.000-07:002016-06-06T16:25:02.557-07:00Holt CP ~ 6 JuneA quick visit to Holt CP where the highlight was a single <b>Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth. </b>A rather tatty Green Hairstreak was also a nice find on the ride behind the car park, along with a couple of Hairy Dragonflies & Holly Blues.<br />
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A single, rather sorrowful-looking Bird's Nest Orchid was found along with a couple of Common Twayblade.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bird's Nest Orchid</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hairy Dragonfly (M)</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276500058265414328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008274817176909158.post-45239412161595985452016-06-04T23:30:00.000-07:002016-06-12T05:44:33.903-07:00Carlton Marshes ~ 4 JuneMy first visit to this rather special reserve in the south-eastern corner of the broads. I accessed the southern section via public transport (train to Oulton Broad) <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Suffolk+Wildlife+Trust/@52.4682348,1.690147,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x47da1b9aeeb8f487:0xf5b7d561e0fa4d1a!8m2!3d52.4682316!4d1.6923357" target="_blank">here</a>. The northern section would certainly be worthy of a visit too.<br />Following the track north, a smaller path to th<span style="font-family: inherit;">e left running al</span>ongside a dyke looked promising. As the clouds parted and the temperature began to rise at least 6 Fen Raft Spider (<i>Dolomedes plantarius</i>) began to hunt (primarily ovipositing Variable Damselflies with a very poor success rate).<br />
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In terms of Odonata, the site was spectacular, with densities I have only ever seen in the acidic bogs of the New Forest. Variable Damselflies were the most numerous with only small numbers of Azure. Interestingly this population was<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> seemingly very homogenous, with all males observed (200+) looking like classic 'fieldguide' individuals. </span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wd94gnVa_4Q/V11YiylBYvI/AAAAAAAAApA/C9-6b0easWIlokPNVQzuG70lHC8sWs2ywCLcB/s1600/IMG_7040-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wd94gnVa_4Q/V11YiylBYvI/AAAAAAAAApA/C9-6b0easWIlokPNVQzuG70lHC8sWs2ywCLcB/s320/IMG_7040-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: start;"><i>Coenagrion pulchellum</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A small number of Scarce Chasers were by the dyke first thing, but as Hairy Dragonfly numbers began to build, they soon dispersed away from the water. </span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l2Zt-YA8wPk/V11Yys7VGYI/AAAAAAAAApM/PGJtDlC41bYil5sLHKZ8aToxVWIdMBuwACLcB/s1600/IMG_7181-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l2Zt-YA8wPk/V11Yys7VGYI/AAAAAAAAApM/PGJtDlC41bYil5sLHKZ8aToxVWIdMBuwACLcB/s320/IMG_7181-Edit.jpg" width="218" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: start;"><i>Brachytron pratense</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I had predicted that if the weather forecast was correct, Norfolk Hawkers could begin to emerge and indeed at just after 1 p.m, I found 2 very fresh-looking tenerals. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: start;"><i>Anaciaeshna isosceles</i></span></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276500058265414328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008274817176909158.post-63827739985976345592016-05-30T23:30:00.000-07:002016-06-01T15:08:42.374-07:00Military Orchids - Brecks ~ 30 May Went to see Military Orchids flowering at a well-known site in the Suffolk Brecks which holds over 95% of the UK population of this extremely rare species in Britain. This was my first time seeing this species; they were slightly larger than I had expected and most stunning, despite the pretty miserable weather.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qhhR9vYLOfo/V09cn7KhPwI/AAAAAAAAAnI/k2_z6LfL14g_QEnNqWOl0PWznogK-UH_wCLcB/s1600/IMG_6792-Edit-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qhhR9vYLOfo/V09cn7KhPwI/AAAAAAAAAnI/k2_z6LfL14g_QEnNqWOl0PWznogK-UH_wCLcB/s320/IMG_6792-Edit-Edit.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Military Orchid ~ <i>Orchis militaris</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gUSoHruDSzU/V09coKnzDcI/AAAAAAAAAnM/Ivly8wjWi9Yum_0p0NzhQ06gDlRnQr_1wCLcB/s1600/IMG_6812-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gUSoHruDSzU/V09coKnzDcI/AAAAAAAAAnM/Ivly8wjWi9Yum_0p0NzhQ06gDlRnQr_1wCLcB/s320/IMG_6812-Edit.jpg" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Military Orchid ~ <i>Orchis militaris</i></td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276500058265414328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008274817176909158.post-54809082230250839142016-05-26T23:30:00.000-07:002016-06-01T15:13:00.775-07:00Goring & Hartslock ~ 26 MayA trip to the well-known concrete bank <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/51%C2%B030'42.8%22N+1%C2%B007'39.9%22W/@51.5118848,-1.1288303,242m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d51.511884!4d-1.127736?hl=en" target="_blank">here</a> where the railway crosses the River Thames south of Goring.<br />
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Arriving at around 0915, there was a<b><span style="color: blue;"> </span><span style="color: #660000;">Common Clubtail</span></b><span style="color: #660000;"> </span>halfway through emerging on the bank - very lucky indeed. A series of photos of the emergence is shown below.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--6zop-AnP6Y/V0iDYXvu0aI/AAAAAAAAAlM/BBFo1n97_nUUUpiU5IG74j6zNMfXA728QCLcB/s1600/IMG_5563-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--6zop-AnP6Y/V0iDYXvu0aI/AAAAAAAAAlM/BBFo1n97_nUUUpiU5IG74j6zNMfXA728QCLcB/s320/IMG_5563-Edit.jpg" width="227" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Clubtail ~ <i>Gomphus vulgatissimus</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QPSkVPuCYO4/V0iDZNx5mUI/AAAAAAAAAlU/EAmK_Dh1NdkNW1rr4StewQdl5-f9XjJJgCLcB/s1600/IMG_5618-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QPSkVPuCYO4/V0iDZNx5mUI/AAAAAAAAAlU/EAmK_Dh1NdkNW1rr4StewQdl5-f9XjJJgCLcB/s320/IMG_5618-Edit.jpg" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Clubtail ~ <i>Gomphus vulgatissimus</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5GioKK5TQgM/V0iDYZnfBKI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/d7mPQU0X3JILPavZffBI5iO-g2cnjQIqwCLcB/s1600/IMG_5721-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5GioKK5TQgM/V0iDYZnfBKI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/d7mPQU0X3JILPavZffBI5iO-g2cnjQIqwCLcB/s320/IMG_5721-Edit.jpg" width="222" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Clubtail ~ <i>Gomphus vulgatissimus</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a0GIF7OPZCw/V0iDaMEZ0gI/AAAAAAAAAlY/qMfKo5DaFTIty3ZePa7qGzWs3Dl7sb2KwCLcB/s1600/IMG_5853-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a0GIF7OPZCw/V0iDaMEZ0gI/AAAAAAAAAlY/qMfKo5DaFTIty3ZePa7qGzWs3Dl7sb2KwCLcB/s320/IMG_5853-Edit.jpg" width="286" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Clubtail ~ <i>Gomphus vulgatissimus</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Walking along the Thames to the East, the warm weather encouraged good numbers of <b>Banded Demoiselles</b>, and a female <b>Peregrine</b> circled overhead. Arriving at Hartlock at around 11:30am, there were large numbers of<b> Monkey x Lady Orchid</b> in bloom along with considerably smaller number of Monkey Orchid. No Lady Orchid were present.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hsc89BR3U3c/V0iFJyVzMrI/AAAAAAAAAls/MCn3ncFwLEw2ERdtwwZsc2veQiGVgyTEQCLcB/s1600/IMG_6050-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hsc89BR3U3c/V0iFJyVzMrI/AAAAAAAAAls/MCn3ncFwLEw2ERdtwwZsc2veQiGVgyTEQCLcB/s320/IMG_6050-Edit.jpg" width="235" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monkey x Lady Orchid ~ <i>Orchis x angusticruris</i>
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<dl class="gallery-item" style="font-family: tahoma, arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 342.203125px;"><dd class="wp-caption-text gallery-caption" id="gallery-1-937" style="color: #666666; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 4px 5px;"><br /></dd></dl>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0KDwyytEtUk/V0iFJl9PzQI/AAAAAAAAAlo/7K6DiI35j4kvUFGGqF517S0lyKsekvFGQCLcB/s1600/IMG_6311-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0KDwyytEtUk/V0iFJl9PzQI/AAAAAAAAAlo/7K6DiI35j4kvUFGGqF517S0lyKsekvFGQCLcB/s320/IMG_6311-Edit.jpg" width="227" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monkey Orchid ~ <i>Orchis Simia</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XFYpvFvtR9k/V0iFJpdR5eI/AAAAAAAAAlk/j5HTPgb37Dg3DRV99YdgT4oAslzmgtvgwCLcB/s1600/IMG_6321-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XFYpvFvtR9k/V0iFJpdR5eI/AAAAAAAAAlk/j5HTPgb37Dg3DRV99YdgT4oAslzmgtvgwCLcB/s320/IMG_6321-Edit.jpg" width="243" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Monkey Orchid ~ <i>Orchis Simia</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
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<div>
Across the down Dingy Skippers were out in good numbers, along with a few Green Hairstreak and a lone but surprisingly fresh Grizzled Skipper. A good number of <i>Nomada </i><i>goodeniana </i>were around and a couple of chalkland specialists including <i>Osmia bicolor </i>and <i>Hoplitis claviventris. </i></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-26hSUQYljxE/V0iJ97mRPiI/AAAAAAAAAmA/l5v6lSwLwsY6S3x57k_xoYKx3Z_-4baqgCLcB/s1600/IMG_6248-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-26hSUQYljxE/V0iJ97mRPiI/AAAAAAAAAmA/l5v6lSwLwsY6S3x57k_xoYKx3Z_-4baqgCLcB/s320/IMG_6248-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoplitis claviventris</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7KP2dt3qqN8/V0iJ9RKMszI/AAAAAAAAAl8/oyS0nzqgqOEZwd6_vzgVvO7D5iXuIAtYQCLcB/s1600/IMG_6366-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7KP2dt3qqN8/V0iJ9RKMszI/AAAAAAAAAl8/oyS0nzqgqOEZwd6_vzgVvO7D5iXuIAtYQCLcB/s320/IMG_6366-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grizzled Skipper ~ Pyrgus malvae</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276500058265414328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008274817176909158.post-20505265390150813722016-05-19T23:30:00.000-07:002016-06-02T05:53:59.722-07:00UEA ~ 19 MayAn afternoon walk along the section of river running through UEA-land from the Watersoldier pond to the playing fields bridge. Odonata counts were:<br />
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1 Red-eyed Damselfly (ten.)<br />
~80 Banded Demoiselle (inc. some emerging)<br />
5 Blue-tailed Damselfly<br />
45 Azure Damselfly<br />
17 Common Blue<br />
~50 Large Reds <br />
1 t.male Black-tailed Skimmer<br />
1 Hairy Dragonfly<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RYBR5AlpUHI/V09UWJ67MKI/AAAAAAAAAm4/aCQgvNfo288VL1YHDnt2gxM5Q88YlApZQCLcB/s1600/IMG_5035-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RYBR5AlpUHI/V09UWJ67MKI/AAAAAAAAAm4/aCQgvNfo288VL1YHDnt2gxM5Q88YlApZQCLcB/s320/IMG_5035-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Eristalis horticola</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276500058265414328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008274817176909158.post-57508488337715218532016-05-14T23:30:00.000-07:002016-06-01T14:48:00.563-07:00UEA ~ 14 MayA very quick walk around patch this afternoon was rewarded with excellent views of a male Cuckoo feeding alongside the river to the west of the broad. A second male was singing from within the rabbit enclosure.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oj_AGQUM7I0/V09QCbn4VcI/AAAAAAAAAmU/UZC5W8ghlrYR_T3L552rW8VrZ8G_ImaZACLcB/s1600/IMG_4733-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oj_AGQUM7I0/V09QCbn4VcI/AAAAAAAAAmU/UZC5W8ghlrYR_T3L552rW8VrZ8G_ImaZACLcB/s320/IMG_4733-Edit.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
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Numbers of Nomad bees continue to build in the small clearing to the west of the broad, along with good numbers of <i>Andrena haemorrhoa</i> (females identifiable by the brick red pile on the top of the thorax, orange hairs to the tip of the abdomen and yellow hind tibia) nesting in the bare patches of soil.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Andrena haemorrhoa</i></td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276500058265414328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008274817176909158.post-11274189974953886852016-04-06T23:30:00.000-07:002016-05-27T09:34:14.198-07:00Altea ~ 30 March - 6 April 2016A very basic trip report from a holiday that was not focussed on birds/birding but nonetheless yielded some good species. Flights to Alicante were cheap, and I was based in the small town of Pueblo Mascarat on the outskirts of Altea, approximately an hour's drive to the north-east of Alicante.<br />
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Although not a birder's typical destination, the area holds a number of sites that are very promising and certainly worthy of further explanation if you find yourself in this region.<br />
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<b><u>Pueblo Mascarat</u></b><br />
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This hillside town was surprisingly decent with Blue Rock Thrush and 4+ Black Wheatear pairs breeding in the town, the latter regularly performing song-flights from villas and lamposts.<br />
There are large numbers of Pallid Swift breeding, and before temperatures increased large congregations would regularly feed over the town, often accompanied by Common Swifts and small numbers of Alpine Swift and Crag Martin, the latter two breeding on the steep slope by the road-tunnel that heads towards Calp.<br />
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Serin, Firecrest & Sardinian Warbler were abundant (as they are everywhere in these parts) though Black Redstart, Woodchat Shrike & Hoopoe were surprisingly scarce. Nightingales breed in the bottom of the dried-river valley and the area generally looks good for migrants that follow the coastline northwards.<br />
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Geranium Bronze were seen in the dried river valley along with good numbers of European Swallowtail & Cleopatra.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Black Wheater</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Redstart</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EMld_M0eNtk/VzzyOUAG9qI/AAAAAAAAAfg/c2krUrJY-qUPAsrpX9ZXyRs2rDqkAcEdwCLcB/s1600/IMG_8132-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EMld_M0eNtk/VzzyOUAG9qI/AAAAAAAAAfg/c2krUrJY-qUPAsrpX9ZXyRs2rDqkAcEdwCLcB/s320/IMG_8132-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Cleopatra</td></tr>
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<b><u>Calp</u></b><br />
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2 sites of interest in this town, the <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/38%C2%B038'39.0%22N+0%C2%B003'59.7%22E/@38.6441662,0.0643843,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d38.644162!4d0.066573?hl=en" target="_blank">Les Salines saltpans </a>no doubt being the star attraction. Large congregations of 200+ Greater Flamingo and 80+ Black-winged Stilt offer great views from the circular footpath that circumnavigates the waters edge. This area looks amazing for migrants with very good scrapes for passage waders (only LRP on my visit), and the reeds towards the western edge most likely hold Great Reed Warbler etc. Slender-billed Gull appear to be regular. A flock of Little Egret held Cattle Egret and a single Glossy Ibis, and a flock of Whiskered Tern flew through on one visit. Definitely a site worthy of exploration.<br />
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<a href="https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/03710+Ifach,+Alicante,+Spain/@38.6354676,0.0650404,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x0:0x0!2zMzjCsDM4JzM5LjAiTiAwwrAwMyc1OS43IkU!3b1!8m2!3d38.644162!4d0.066573!3m4!1s0x129dfe0a692c9411:0x2e0d50dfa6554d12!8m2!3d38.6354528!4d0.0737956?hl=en" target="_blank">Ifach Rock </a>holds a large (Yellow-legged) gull colony and Black Wheatear and Blue Rock Thrush breed on the steep slope. The small area of scrub at the tip of the point is again no doubt a good area for migrants, and also holds breeding Sardinian and Western Subalpine Warbler.<br />
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Later in the year, this site reportedly has breeding Eleonora's Falcon, though I failed to find any recent, reliable reports of this species.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Black-winged Stilt </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Little Ringed Plover</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Greater Flamingo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gYYO9dCQ50k/Vzzv1mYo-ZI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/rk3Ma5OZF_IP_HbwpYCL48oO_UiB1_XyQCKgB/s1600/IMG_7394-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gYYO9dCQ50k/Vzzv1mYo-ZI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/rk3Ma5OZF_IP_HbwpYCL48oO_UiB1_XyQCKgB/s320/IMG_7394-Edit.jpg" width="217" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">'Iberian' Yellow Wagtail</td></tr>
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<b><u>Altea</u></b><br />
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Where the river (Riu de l'Algar) meets the sea at Altea as marked <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/38%C2%B036'18.8%22N+0%C2%B002'27.2%22W/@38.6052362,-0.0430757,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d38.605232!4d-0.040887?hl=en" target="_blank">here</a> there is a small reed-edged pool. The reedbeds hold Little Bittern , and Purple Heron are likely to feed along the river itself (with one individual seen circling for 15 mins).<br />
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Audouin's Gull breed nearby and come down to bread. This is a site worth exploring with a record of Baillon's Crake in April 2015 and regular local reports of Squacco Heron.<br />
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Purple Swamphens are the 'star attraction' with at least 6 showing well at all times of day, regularly feeding on bread that had drifted into the reedbeds, and when quiet venturing onto the beach.<br />
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Large numbers of hirundines roost in the reedbeds during migration, including Red-rumped Swallow.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Audouin's Gull</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8P6Bk-PMWU/VzzwCB3ysJI/AAAAAAAAAfc/FnGOZNgBzjIh_spYcyV8Fey1omnIDaCuQCKgB/s1600/IMG_8555-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8P6Bk-PMWU/VzzwCB3ysJI/AAAAAAAAAfc/FnGOZNgBzjIh_spYcyV8Fey1omnIDaCuQCKgB/s320/IMG_8555-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Purple Swamphen</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JeEETSqZYq4/Vzzv_KbvWYI/AAAAAAAAAfc/MSi28jIMZdInMwE5h8qBcUvObtekeUG1wCKgB/s1600/IMG_8269-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JeEETSqZYq4/Vzzv_KbvWYI/AAAAAAAAAfc/MSi28jIMZdInMwE5h8qBcUvObtekeUG1wCKgB/s320/IMG_8269-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Purple Heron</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FRA2GiiYrg0/VzzwDsG78sI/AAAAAAAAAfc/7J2wPgX3sh0QZ6FsgIMzGkP6OECx0tGFQCKgB/s1600/IMG_9633-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FRA2GiiYrg0/VzzwDsG78sI/AAAAAAAAAfc/7J2wPgX3sh0QZ6FsgIMzGkP6OECx0tGFQCKgB/s320/IMG_9633-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Red-rumped Swallow<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276500058265414328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008274817176909158.post-260634965127566462015-12-13T23:30:00.000-08:002016-06-01T15:50:39.908-07:00North Norfolk Coast ~ 13 DecemberA morning spent twitching various things along the North Norfolk coast beginning with the juv. Iceland Gull at King's Lynn Docks. This rather brutish individual showed well along the embankment in terrible light, coming into feed on Tesco's finest bread!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TqTQ0fdMouw/V09hfm0mA2I/AAAAAAAAAno/ZQAAt4TpPGIDJodhC7EYH7NnCZ__c3pxACLcB/s1600/IMG_7752-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TqTQ0fdMouw/V09hfm0mA2I/AAAAAAAAAno/ZQAAt4TpPGIDJodhC7EYH7NnCZ__c3pxACLcB/s320/IMG_7752-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iceland Gull </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mv3CfXyX--M/V09hfDBDd2I/AAAAAAAAAnk/XIrXwehtMwEX4R2sCXzUPWiP-x_12laWwCLcB/s1600/IMG_7816-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mv3CfXyX--M/V09hfDBDd2I/AAAAAAAAAnk/XIrXwehtMwEX4R2sCXzUPWiP-x_12laWwCLcB/s320/IMG_7816-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iceland Gull</td></tr>
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Moving on to Thornham Harbour, a number of Twite were feeding by the car park and the usual assortment of waders were on the mudflats and saltmarsh. A very showy Red-necked Grebe showed in Brancaster Harbour<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ZvF5Wrp07I/V09kL4JDT8I/AAAAAAAAAn0/W9d7TeENP24pak9J2Bu4mTBj3o0KD6k7QCLcB/s1600/IMG_7998-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ZvF5Wrp07I/V09kL4JDT8I/AAAAAAAAAn0/W9d7TeENP24pak9J2Bu4mTBj3o0KD6k7QCLcB/s320/IMG_7998-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-necked Grebe</td></tr>
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<br />A small flock of White-fronted Geese were seen in their usual field at Holkham and a Cattle Egret was successfully twitched over at Hickling<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kWxTCz1mJ9k/V09mqnojOZI/AAAAAAAAAoA/BooZn0LbsMwC-9a3qpp8XwTXsg4-uwpTwCLcB/s1600/IMG_8108-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kWxTCz1mJ9k/V09mqnojOZI/AAAAAAAAAoA/BooZn0LbsMwC-9a3qpp8XwTXsg4-uwpTwCLcB/s320/IMG_8108-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cattle Egret</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276500058265414328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008274817176909158.post-11665719136882654812015-11-03T23:30:00.000-08:002016-05-27T09:35:10.810-07:00Landguard Bird Obs - 3rd November<b>Pied Wheatear</b> (male) watched from ~ 2-4pm. Showing well on beach at point<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276500058265414328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008274817176909158.post-15537202014183953122015-10-30T23:30:00.000-07:002016-06-01T15:23:31.129-07:00UEA ~ 30 OctoberA nice find by <a href="https://twitter.com/MSMurphy300?lang=en-gb" target="_blank">Michael</a> today in the form of this 1st/w Meditteranean Gull in Earlham Park. My first one on campus and by all accounts rather rare to get on the deck<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276500058265414328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008274817176909158.post-66212138850115925572015-08-07T09:45:00.000-07:002016-05-27T09:47:48.663-07:00Aston Rowant ~ 7 AugustA morning trip to Aston Rowant in search of butterflies, parking <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/51%C2%B039'56.5%22N+0%C2%B056'16.9%22W/@51.6656983,-0.9402317,482m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d51.665695!4d-0.938043">here</a> and exploring the downs to the north of the M40.<br />
<br />
Silver-spotted Skippers were in high numbers with over 40. Chalkhill Blues and Brown Argus were abundant, particularly towards the bottom of the slope as they nectared in high densities on Wild Marjoram.<br />
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Brimstones, Small Tortoisehells, Peacock and all 3 of the common orange skippers were in high numbers.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276500058265414328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008274817176909158.post-68830440877884627712015-08-04T23:30:00.000-07:002016-05-27T10:14:21.738-07:00Stockbridge Down ~ 4 August<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A very quick mid-morning trip where Chalkhill Blues were out in astonishing numbers with 500+ across the down. A couple of Essex Skipper were at the bottom of the down among the more numerous Large and Small.<br />
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A couple of late and rather tatty Dark Green Fritillaries were still flying<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5V-kgFRrGOY/V0h86LkkJII/AAAAAAAAAko/msutJU1tp4YOXb4HA31n5maKlka4lSnwACLcB/s1600/chalk%2Bhill%2Bblue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5V-kgFRrGOY/V0h86LkkJII/AAAAAAAAAko/msutJU1tp4YOXb4HA31n5maKlka4lSnwACLcB/s320/chalk%2Bhill%2Bblue.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chalkhill Blue ~ Polyommatus coridon</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SmD_rr1z8TU/V0h9Grlb24I/AAAAAAAAAks/znr8bbpUfL8_2YgkHDrOrf9MXhX1gPexACLcB/s1600/IMG_9319-Edit-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SmD_rr1z8TU/V0h9Grlb24I/AAAAAAAAAks/znr8bbpUfL8_2YgkHDrOrf9MXhX1gPexACLcB/s320/IMG_9319-Edit-Edit.jpg" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chalkhill Blue ~ Polyommatus coridon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QrlLXBH1sRQ/V0iAHB8ZpLI/AAAAAAAAAlA/XXpLiDJfyNAiGJExFJiz9OtQzK3VhaAvQCKgB/s1600/IMG_9223-Edit-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QrlLXBH1sRQ/V0iAHB8ZpLI/AAAAAAAAAlA/XXpLiDJfyNAiGJExFJiz9OtQzK3VhaAvQCKgB/s320/IMG_9223-Edit-Edit.jpg" width="259" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Essex Skipper ~ Thymelicus lineola</td></tr>
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<br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276500058265414328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008274817176909158.post-71638198906204656672015-07-31T09:48:00.000-07:002016-05-27T09:49:48.466-07:00Alner's Gorse - 31 JulyMy first visit to this excellent Butterfly Conservation reserve between Blandford Forum and Yeovil. Parking available in a small layby <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/50%C2%B053'19.5%22N+2%C2%B022'36.9%22W/@50.8910964,-2.3790423,980m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d50.888753!4d-2.376918">here</a>.<br />
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The main target of this visit was Brown Hairstreak, and 1m and 2f were found at 2 locations:<br />
~ thistles at the end of the footpath running downhill from the entrance<br />
~ on blackthorn/thistles on western side of main reserve<br />
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Purple Hairstreak were common on virtually all of the more substantial trees and regularly coming down to nectar on bramble. 1 White-letter Hairstreak was seen nectaring on brambles low down on western side of reserve.<br />
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Impressive numbers of Silver-washed Fritillaries were present in the woods to the north including one Valezina.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ys5O6llDz4Y/Vz9eMoLZfBI/AAAAAAAAAgI/Vpq6RBQH2NAZTtE2hJYUHqBl2pSf1xHeQCLcB/s1600/IMG_8940-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ys5O6llDz4Y/Vz9eMoLZfBI/AAAAAAAAAgI/Vpq6RBQH2NAZTtE2hJYUHqBl2pSf1xHeQCLcB/s320/IMG_8940-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Purple Hairstreak ~ <i>Favonius quercus</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1AhS47tRWhg/Vz9eLew68NI/AAAAAAAAAgA/iDg1nOarlnEtfnmELAsT3ibOxLJsWeS6gCLcB/s1600/IMG_8982-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1AhS47tRWhg/Vz9eLew68NI/AAAAAAAAAgA/iDg1nOarlnEtfnmELAsT3ibOxLJsWeS6gCLcB/s320/IMG_8982-Edit.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">White-letter Hairstreak ~ <i>Satyrium w-album</i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P7yTrbapKuc/Vz9eL5iOWVI/AAAAAAAAAgE/z1BB6Ka6H9MoHrStEwKV6z5GlU3rloJ4wCLcB/s1600/IMG_9339-Edit-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P7yTrbapKuc/Vz9eL5iOWVI/AAAAAAAAAgE/z1BB6Ka6H9MoHrStEwKV6z5GlU3rloJ4wCLcB/s320/IMG_9339-Edit-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Brown Hairstreak ~ <i>Thecla betulae</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O5n-1EBqLVY/Vz9eNRXNbtI/AAAAAAAAAgM/iDXgglYthGArTJ55Hlj2YSJwFCDwu27eQCLcB/s1600/IMG_9353-Edit-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O5n-1EBqLVY/Vz9eNRXNbtI/AAAAAAAAAgM/iDXgglYthGArTJ55Hlj2YSJwFCDwu27eQCLcB/s320/IMG_9353-Edit-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><i>Brown Hairstreak ~ Thecla betulae</i><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276500058265414328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008274817176909158.post-50327603900445543232015-07-16T23:30:00.000-07:002016-05-27T09:32:38.385-07:00Mill Lawn Damselflies ~ 16 July 2016 - DAMSELFLIESQuick trip to the NF focusing on my favourite spot at <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@50.8307914,-1.6834723,3a,75y,188.91h,79.18t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1spMDktMiNA0svbQOCUDwOwg!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo2.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DpMDktMiNA0svbQOCUDwOwg%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D183.326%26pitch%3D0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en" target="_blank">Mill Lawn</a> where the cloudy weather was preventing the numbers of <b>Southern Damselflies</b> as seen last year. There were still around half a dozen along with good numbers of White-legged Damselflies.<br />
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1 male Scarce-blue Tailed showed well in a brief sunny spell, before practically disappearing into the riverside vegetation. Image & diagram below for ID features:<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276500058265414328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008274817176909158.post-24748385693737103892015-07-10T11:36:00.000-07:002015-07-10T11:38:24.491-07:00Scotland ~ Days 7-9<b>~Friday~</b><br />
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On this day we decided to visit Sanna Bay; the beach here is probably one of the most beautiful in the UK, and so it was with no hesitation that we spent a while exploring what the dunes had to offer. Lots of Sand Martins were visiting their colonies (the peninsular as a whole had an abundance of these), and a male Wheatear was busy collecting food.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zWoV6dmyPAY/VaADj7er8nI/AAAAAAAAAS8/0Tyzrm7CJDc/s1600/IMG_7040-Edit-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="468" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zWoV6dmyPAY/VaADj7er8nI/AAAAAAAAAS8/0Tyzrm7CJDc/s640/IMG_7040-Edit-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wheatear </td></tr>
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On our drive back we pulled into a lay-by to scan the ridges for eagles. Alas there were none, but we were still very glad we stopped as we had very good views of a pair of Whinchat, along with my first Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary of the trip.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iWimowanZ-Y/VaADnkn6AUI/AAAAAAAAATI/_Yvs4g78Mno/s1600/IMG_7309-Edit-Edit-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iWimowanZ-Y/VaADnkn6AUI/AAAAAAAAATI/_Yvs4g78Mno/s640/IMG_7309-Edit-Edit-2.jpg" width="606" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j3NUtt657xE/VaAKkZQfmKI/AAAAAAAAATU/vJ6Zo9Gw_jU/s1600/IMG_7472-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j3NUtt657xE/VaAKkZQfmKI/AAAAAAAAATU/vJ6Zo9Gw_jU/s640/IMG_7472-Edit.jpg" width="486" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Whinchat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>~Saturday~</b><br />
<br />
As it was my final full day at the house, I decided to start the day by getting up early and explore the woods near the cottage. 3 Wood Warbler and a Spotted Flycatcher were good to see.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nPDEG2SFrSI/VaALhGvvcqI/AAAAAAAAATg/Cg41dcHuSAQ/s1600/IMG_7533-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nPDEG2SFrSI/VaALhGvvcqI/AAAAAAAAATg/Cg41dcHuSAQ/s640/IMG_7533-Edit.jpg" width="494" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood Warbler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We then drove to the RSPB's Glenborrodale reserve. En route we stopped as Matt spotted a large raptor just breaking the horizon, which excitingly turned out to be a Golden Eagle!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vF0YUq5PKwM/VaAN67daRcI/AAAAAAAAATs/0hb_MPWYOzQ/s1600/IMG_7631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vF0YUq5PKwM/VaAN67daRcI/AAAAAAAAATs/0hb_MPWYOzQ/s640/IMG_7631.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden Eagle</td></tr>
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The reserve itself provided a very pleasant walk with 2 Spotted Flycatchers, a reeling Grasshopper Warbler, several Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary and 1 very fresh looking Chequered Skipper!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cDwSuFNPVkg/VaAN76v4j-I/AAAAAAAAAT4/s6m29NWOFpw/s1600/IMG_7644-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="446" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cDwSuFNPVkg/VaAN76v4j-I/AAAAAAAAAT4/s6m29NWOFpw/s640/IMG_7644-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-obujZ9ujk6E/VaAN7nD25cI/AAAAAAAAAUA/39EAtgoHNYk/s1600/IMG_7753-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="468" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-obujZ9ujk6E/VaAN7nD25cI/AAAAAAAAAUA/39EAtgoHNYk/s640/IMG_7753-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chequered Skipper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TACnMRuOAKE/VaAN8zCVWPI/AAAAAAAAAUE/sdQX6szHAgY/s1600/IMG_7989-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="416" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TACnMRuOAKE/VaAN8zCVWPI/AAAAAAAAAUE/sdQX6szHAgY/s640/IMG_7989-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chequered Skipper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
~Sunday~<br />
<br />
The long drive back from the highlands to Rugby took all day, though a brief stop near Arnside yielded a few Northern Brown Argus, the 2nd butterfly lifer of the trip for me!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ck6P5aITmnk/VaAQKMbhQ8I/AAAAAAAAAUM/78hPahHKXdk/s1600/IMG_8367-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ck6P5aITmnk/VaAQKMbhQ8I/AAAAAAAAAUM/78hPahHKXdk/s640/IMG_8367-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern Brown Argus</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276500058265414328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008274817176909158.post-10441029172533001272015-06-28T06:19:00.000-07:002016-05-27T10:11:03.016-07:00Scotland ~ Days 4-6<b>~ Tuesday ~ </b><br />
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The day got off to a good start when we opened the moth trap to find 3 Poplar Hawk-moths and 1 Elephant Hawk-moth! We decided to make our way over to the Ardnamurchan Lighthouse, the most westerly point on the British mainland. In the pools by the lighthouse we found several Palmate Newts and offshore we found Guillemot, Razorbill, Black Guillemot and a decent flock of around 40 Manx Shearwater.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tVQdhNZPFLY/VY_p3mQOpqI/AAAAAAAAARw/4OhHkOrpOYE/s1600/IMG_5936-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tVQdhNZPFLY/VY_p3mQOpqI/AAAAAAAAARw/4OhHkOrpOYE/s640/IMG_5936-Edit.jpg" width="464" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poplar Hawkmoth</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buff tip</td></tr>
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On the drive back we ticked off Twite, before arriving at Ben Hiant for a walk, where eventually we picked up a distant soaring White-Tailed Eagle. A Golden Plover flew overhead, Redshank called on the marshes below, and a Whinchat sang from the bracken.<br />
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We returned to the cottage where once again the Pine Marten put on a fantastic show...I'll let the photos speak for themselves!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pine Marten</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pine Marten</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pine Marten</td></tr>
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<b>~ Wednesday ~</b><br />
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Crap weather meant that we mainly spent time lounging at the cottage, where we had a couple of sightings of Otter, before unbelievable close views of the Pine Marten in the evening on the step just outside the window.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pine Marten</td></tr>
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<b>~ Thursday ~</b><br />
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We took a day trip to Mull where unbelievably we picked up our first Wheatear of the trip, including several family parties.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wheatear</td></tr>
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Loch Na Keal proved fruitful with 2 otters - most likely a mother and cub - which we followed for a few hundred metres along the loch edge. We also got good views of 2 sub-adult White-Tailed Eagles flying over the loch!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Otters</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-tailed Eagle</td></tr>
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We decided to make the long drive down to the island of Iona on the south-western tip of Mull. One of the first discoveries we made was a white-winged Gull, which initially got us rather excited...until we realised it was just a leucistic Common Gull!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Gull (leucistic)</td></tr>
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After a short while (including a detour going the wrong way!) we were in the area with the best chance of hearing a Corncrake. With strong winds, rain, and the wrong time of day - I was feeling less than optimistic! Our luck was in however, and over the course of 30 minutes we heard at least 3-4 individuals calling, including one around 5m away. The long vegetation of course meant it was impossible to see them.<br />
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We also saw Twite, Skylark, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw and Rook (the latter 2 being quite scarce in this part of Scotland).<br />
On our walk back to the ferry Matt and Megan spotted a Corncrake in a resident's front garden. After an anxious wait, I managed to get a 2-3 second view as it ran from one clump of vegetation to another, a brilliant tick!<br />
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Driving back along Loch Na Keal we saw an adult White-Tailed Eagle in a usual spot and then we spotted a recently-fledged juvenile flapping its wings deeper in the forest: an incredible end to what had been a brilliant day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-tailed Eagle (phone-scoped)</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276500058265414328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008274817176909158.post-354977110722163492015-06-24T03:31:00.002-07:002015-06-24T04:07:01.404-07:00Scotland ~ Days 1-3Early saturday morning I travelled up to Scotland with <a href="https://twitter.com/MatthewJBruce?lang=en-gb">Matt Bruce</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/BethAucott?lang=en-gb">Beth Aucott</a>. We were to spend 2 days exploring the Cairngorms (and Forvie Sands on the east coast) before meeting up with <a href="https://twitter.com/mattadamw">Matt Williams</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/MeganShersby">Megan Shersby</a>, Liam Curson and <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteMRCooper?lang=en-gb">Pete Cooper</a> to spend the next 7 days on the Ardanmurchan Peninsular, located on the west coast.<br />
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<b>~ SATURDAY ~</b><br />
After setting off at 1am, we arrived in Scotland at around 5am to low cloud and frequent rain showers! These were not ideal for searching the moors at our first stop, where visibility was down to about 30m. Amazingly however, we spotted a Black Grouse lek right by the road which consisted of around 10-15 birds - a brilliant start to the trip!<br />
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We headed northwards to Forvie Sands and the Ythan Estuary to see if we could find the drake King Eider that had been frequenting there. Regrettably we dipped, with the bird being seen further north. The area was still very much worth the visit, as we had great views of Sand Martins nesting in the dunes (I've only ever seen them nesting in artifice banks previously!), 4 species of tern (Common, Arctic, Sandwich and Little - in total over 1000 terns nest at Forvie every summer), Seals and hundreds of Common Eiders.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Tern</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sand Martin</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sand Martin</td></tr>
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Our first night was to be spent near Aviemore in the Cairngorms, and so by 4pm we were searching the moorland this area has to offer. With the weather now much clearer, we were very lucky to find Merlin, Osprey, Red Grouse and 2 Hen Harriers, which even did a food pass for us! A Common Sandpiper also showed unbelievably close, perching on a post just 5-6m from the car. A Woodcock was also seen roding over our campsite.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Sandpiper</td></tr>
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~SUNDAY~<br />
The next day was also to be spent in the Cairngorms, and despite initial concerns that the weather was too poor, we decided to go for a walk up (partially) Ben Macdui first thing. After no more than around 200m, we found an adult male Ring Ouzel feeding 3 fledged young. Continuing up the mountain, we eventually located a Ptarmigan (in the end we probably saw at least 2 individuals). No photos unfortunately but we had great views of one flying and calling around us.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ring Ouzel</td></tr>
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After drying off at the ski-centre café, we took a trip to Loch Ruthven, an RSPB reserve most famous for its breeding Slavonian Grebes. We enjoyed good views of 1 pair from the hide (a volunteer for the site informed us that there were in fact 7 pairs nesting on the loch), along with a cracking pair of Red-Throated Diver. The walk back to the car yielded numerous Willow Warblers as well as a Spotted Flycatcher.<br />
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Our final stop of the day was made at Ardgour, where a handful of Black Guillemots breed on a disused pier.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Guillemot</td></tr>
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We arrived at the cottage late afternoon to meet up with the others, and after just 30 minutes we spotted a Pine Marten feeding on the peanut butter we had put out. Later that evening, things got even better when 2 visited together (1 of them even ran up to the window). It was a perfect end to what had already been a great start to the trip.<br />
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~MONDAY~<br />
The weather forecast indicated that this might be the best weather we were due all week, and so we were understandably keen to try and see our insect targets of the trip. Matt (Bruce), Peter and I spotted a Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth in a small area of overgrown vegetation in front of the cottage. Regrettably we failed to catch it and so the others missed out on this beautiful moth. As a number of us searched the area in the hope the moth would be re-found, Matt (Williams) spotted a dragonfly low down in the vegetation. I walked over to have a look and was stunned to find a teneral Northern Emerald, a real local specialty which is only found in wet meadows in North-west Scotland. I was particularly chuffed as this was one of my main personal targets of the whole trip! A number of recently emerged Golden-ringed Dragonflies were also to be found in the vegetation.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KKrEds19h34/VYqD0NUrzXI/AAAAAAAAAQA/E8U84xwWZiU/s1600/IMG_5371-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KKrEds19h34/VYqD0NUrzXI/AAAAAAAAAQA/E8U84xwWZiU/s640/IMG_5371-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern Emerald (teneral)</td></tr>
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As the weather was good, we took a trip to Claish Moss - this is a difficult site to access with a 2 mile walk through the forest just to reach the edge of the bog. Whilst walking through the forest rides, we had hoped to pick up more Northern Emeralds and perhaps Chequered Skipper, but sadly the much needed sunshine failed to materialise! Once we had reached the edge of the moss however, our luck was in and the brief spell of sunshine encouraged 3-4 Chequered Skippers to reveal themselves. This was another one of my most wanted species for the trip. On the moss itself I saw a male Hen Harrier, Curlew, Teal and Redshank.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RdONaxEPNTY/VYqB0xTfuVI/AAAAAAAAAPo/V66BoY8XM7U/s1600/IMG_5470-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="459" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RdONaxEPNTY/VYqB0xTfuVI/AAAAAAAAAPo/V66BoY8XM7U/s640/IMG_5470-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chequered Skipper</td></tr>
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We returned to the cottage and were treated to the most incredible views of Pine Marten at around 17:30.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W-87RIcnx6A/VYqCmzWoZdI/AAAAAAAAAP4/mKv8H34aGBU/s1600/IMG_5609-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W-87RIcnx6A/VYqCmzWoZdI/AAAAAAAAAP4/mKv8H34aGBU/s640/IMG_5609-Edit.jpg" width="562" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pine Marten</td></tr>
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The day was to get even better however, as at around 20:30, an Otter gave great views as it swam through the bay in front of our cottage!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276500058265414328noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008274817176909158.post-48142436244555010562015-02-22T11:57:00.000-08:002015-02-22T11:59:18.485-08:00Cirls, Smews and a WaxwingA somewhat rushed blogpost this about some birding trips over the last week or so!<br />
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Last Sunday I spent a very enjoyable day birding with <a href="http://akkwildlife.blogspot.co.uk/">Keith</a> and <a href="http://theportlandnaturalist.blogspot.co.uk/">Sean</a>....the long drive south to Broadsands car park near Paignton in search of the main target of the day, <b>Cirl Buntings</b>. After a bit of initial confusion as to where the seed was where the birds feed, we had good views of over 20 Cirl Buntings. Here there were also several<b> Reed Bunting </b>and a couple of <b>Bullfinch</b>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LQSft8Sq_7k/VOouNcr0D9I/AAAAAAAAALU/-PaOqly0kYE/s1600/IMG_8723-EditBLOGGER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LQSft8Sq_7k/VOouNcr0D9I/AAAAAAAAALU/-PaOqly0kYE/s1600/IMG_8723-EditBLOGGER.jpg" height="190" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cirl and Reed Buntings</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Cirl Bunting</td></tr>
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We then headed onto Dawlish Warren to see if we could find the <b>Bonaparte's Gull</b> that has been overwintering. Despite not being reported for a couple of days, Sean eventually spotted the bird flying distantly across the estuary. Despite the distance, the diagnostic pale underwing could be seen quite clearly and even the black bill was just about visible. Dawlish also held an array of waders and wildfowl, as well as an unexpected <b>Dartford Warbler</b>.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bonaparte's Gull</td></tr>
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Final stop of the day was Exminster Marshes to see if we could find the 3 Penduline Tits that had been seen on and off there the previous fed days. Sadly they were not to be seen but <b>Water Rail</b>, <b>Chiffchaff</b> and <b>Peregrine</b> were some consolation.<br />
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The following day I ended up taking an unexpected trip to Dungeness. We started at Brickwall Farm where - from the car - we enjoyed good views of 2 <b>Cattle Egret</b> and a <b>Raven</b>. The remainder of the day was spent on the RSPB reserve (stopping off to see <b>Tree Sparrows</b> along the entrance track). Here we saw at least 7 <b>Smew</b> including 1 drake, hundreds of common wildfowl, 2 <b>Marsh Harrier</b> and a <b>Barn Owl </b>hunting near the new diggings.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qiSaMCLY0U4/VOovNdZNt6I/AAAAAAAAALc/-cuLL1swHNo/s1600/IMG_8890-EditBLOGGER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qiSaMCLY0U4/VOovNdZNt6I/AAAAAAAAALc/-cuLL1swHNo/s1600/IMG_8890-EditBLOGGER.jpg" height="221" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cattle Egret</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_QK-eElrsag/VOoxibuXp_I/AAAAAAAAAMY/LeaY83RBS3k/s1600/IMG_8995-EditBLOGGER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_QK-eElrsag/VOoxibuXp_I/AAAAAAAAAMY/LeaY83RBS3k/s1600/IMG_8995-EditBLOGGER.jpg" height="320" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barn Owl</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DwMIfO9cAuQ/VOoxgxycF6I/AAAAAAAAAMI/WgIgKYImgWk/s1600/IMG_9056-EditBLOGGER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DwMIfO9cAuQ/VOoxgxycF6I/AAAAAAAAAMI/WgIgKYImgWk/s1600/IMG_9056-EditBLOGGER.jpg" height="184" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Redhead Smew </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drake Smew</td></tr>
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Last - but certainly not least - I have just spent the past 3 days in Norfolk/Suffolk. The main purpose of the trip was to attend a UEA (university of East Anglia) applicant day on Saturday. En route we stopped off at Mildenhall near Thetford to see if we could find the 1st-winter female <b>Waxwing</b> that had been present several days beforehand. Once found, I enjoyed great views of the bird which I had all to myself!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tbDNS51jzU4/VOowIhJFf5I/AAAAAAAAALk/wlXf9znZqs0/s1600/IMG_9320-EditBLOGGER-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tbDNS51jzU4/VOowIhJFf5I/AAAAAAAAALk/wlXf9znZqs0/s1600/IMG_9320-EditBLOGGER-3.jpg" height="320" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waxwing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p-qwgbLRuWM/VOowKIYSYrI/AAAAAAAAALs/OeGZ_oJiLq8/s1600/IMG_9361-EditBLOGGER-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p-qwgbLRuWM/VOowKIYSYrI/AAAAAAAAALs/OeGZ_oJiLq8/s1600/IMG_9361-EditBLOGGER-3.jpg" height="210" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waxwing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AEEjvEHU8MM/VOowKj4tC4I/AAAAAAAAAL0/_sZZfID7tDY/s1600/IMG_9383-EditBLOGGER-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AEEjvEHU8MM/VOowKj4tC4I/AAAAAAAAAL0/_sZZfID7tDY/s1600/IMG_9383-EditBLOGGER-3.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waxwing</td></tr>
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Given that UEA is my top uni choice (the course and location are just perfect) I thought it would somewhat appropriate to check out what is likely to become my patch in September. This worked out especially well as a couple of days previously a <b>Great White Egret</b> had been found just a mile or so from the campus boundary!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EzE13iGWPj8/VOowKopEzTI/AAAAAAAAALw/gkdsQuhrtkY/s1600/IMG_9443-EditBLOGGER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EzE13iGWPj8/VOowKopEzTI/AAAAAAAAALw/gkdsQuhrtkY/s1600/IMG_9443-EditBLOGGER.jpg" height="189" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great White Egret</td></tr>
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A quick stop off at Minsmere on the way home was productive, highlights including a distant inflight <b>Bittern</b>, 2 redhead <b>Smew</b>, 4 <b>Snipe</b> and at least 7 <b>Marsh Harrier.</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lp3tTeomrLY/VOo0S5X5fNI/AAAAAAAAAMs/3HfPmlCD7co/s1600/IMG_9626-EditBLOGGER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lp3tTeomrLY/VOo0S5X5fNI/AAAAAAAAAMs/3HfPmlCD7co/s1600/IMG_9626-EditBLOGGER.jpg" height="222" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Snipe</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pPOfB73iIeI/VOo0SG5Fv1I/AAAAAAAAAMk/Fgq1iGQdeiw/s1600/IMG_9597-EditBLOGGER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pPOfB73iIeI/VOo0SG5Fv1I/AAAAAAAAAMk/Fgq1iGQdeiw/s1600/IMG_9597-EditBLOGGER.jpg" height="320" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marsh Harrier</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276500058265414328noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008274817176909158.post-60774675014715896002015-02-12T12:11:00.003-08:002016-05-27T09:27:37.827-07:00Spain Trip Report (of sorts..!)Last weekend I spent 4 days in the <b>Sierra de Andujar</b> in southern Spain (approximately 3 hours north of Malaga). The main target of the trip was the critically endangered Iberian Lynx which, regrettably, I failed to see! However I saw a wealth of wildlife much of which I have had high on my wishlist for a number of years. I won't go through the exact details (much of the information regarding seeing Lynx is readily available online) so instead I'll just share some photos of some of my favourite moments from the trip.<br />
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Getting there was thankfully straightforward with return flights to Malaga available relatively cheaply and our accommodation at <a href="http://www.villamatilde.org/">Villa Matilde</a> was great and in an ideal location for Lynx searching.<br />
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Whilst at Sierra de Andujar, we split our time between <b>La Lancha</b> and <b>Encinarejo</b> (mainly the former) and visited the <b>Guadalhorce</b> reserve in Malaga upon arrival at the airport. We also briefly stopped at <b>El Torcal</b> near Antequera on our return in search of Spanish Ibex which we had failed to see at La Lancha. The wildlife highlights (these are just some of over 100 species seen on the trip) include:<br />
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<b><u>White-Headed Duck</u></b><br />
<i>At least 8 seen at Guadalhorce including a couple of black-headed individuals (this is a variation in 1st winter males).</i><br />
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<b><u>Greater Flamingo</u></b><br />
<i>3 at Guadalhorce (all 1st-winters) including one that showed very well briefly along the river.</i><br />
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<b><u>Griffon Vulture</u></b><br />
<i>Relatively common at Sierra de Andujar (and a few seen at El Torcal) including flocks of 40+ birds riding thermals.</i><br />
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<b><u>Black (Cinnaerous) Vulture</u></b><br />
<i>3 seen near La Lancha including one low individual</i><br />
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<b><u>Spanish Imperial Eagle</u></b><br />
<i>A couple seen near La Lancha including one circling with a small group Griffon Vultures.</i><br />
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<b><u>Booted Eagle</u></b><br />
<i>1 seen distantly at Guadalhorce.</i><br />
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<b><u>Zitting Cisticola</u></b><br />
<i>A surprisingly large number displaying at Guadalhorce including some birds showing well.</i><br />
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<b><u>Sardinian Warbler</u></b><br />
<i>Relatively abundant</i><br />
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<b><u>Dartford Warbler</u></b><br />
<i>Common in Sierra de Andujar</i><br />
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<b><u>Crested Tit</u></b><br />
<i>2 at La Lancha</i><br />
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<b><u>Black Redstart</u></b><br />
<i>Very common!</i><br />
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<b><u>Crested Lark</u></b><br />
<i>4 seen distantly at Guadalhorce</i><br />
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<b><u>Thekla Lark</u></b></div>
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<i>2 unexpectedly seen near La Lancha</i></div>
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<b><u>Blue Rock Thrush</u></b><br />
<i>An adult male and 1st-winter male seen near La Lancha</i><br />
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<b><u>Iberian Grey Shrike</u></b><br />
<i>A couple seen near La Lancha</i><br />
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<b><u>Azure-Winged Magpies</u></b><br />
<i>Fairly common at Sierra de Andujar with small, mobile flocks very noticeable in the valley near La Lancha. Generally quite shy but we got very good views at Encinarejo. One of my favourite species form the trip!</i><br />
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<b><u>Monk Parakeets</u></b><br />
<i>Frequently seen flying over in Malaga and I eventually located a flock feeding on berries just outside the Guadalhorce reserve.</i><br />
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<b><u>Chough</u></b><br />
<i>2 at La Lancha</i><br />
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<b><u>Hoopoe</u></b><br />
<i>2 seen at Guadalhorce, 1 near La Lancha and a group of 4 along the Encinarejo trail.</i><br />
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<b><u>Spotless Starling</u></b><br />
<i>A few seen most days.</i><br />
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<b><u>Serin</u></b><br />
<i>Common across the region often associating with Goldfinches and Greenfinches.</i><br />
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<b><u>Hawfinch</u></b><br />
<i>A flock of 3 near La Lancha and at least 12 along the Encinarejo trail.</i><br />
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<b><u>Rock Bunting</u></b><br />
<i>2 at La Lancha and relatively common at El Torcal including a very approachable female in the car park.</i><br />
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<b><u>Crag Martin</u></b><br />
<i>Several at Guadalhorce and seen occasionally at Sierra de Andujar.</i><br />
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<b><u>Wild Boar</u></b><br />
<i>1 seen near La Lancha</i><br />
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<b><u>Mouflon</u></b><br />
<i>3 seen near La Lancha</i><br />
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<b><u>Spanish Ibex</u></b><br />
<i>Having failed to see them at La Lancha we stopped off at El Torcal on our journey back to the airport. After some searching I eventually came across a herd(?) of 16 animals. A bit of clambering over the rocks and I had superb views!</i><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276500058265414328noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008274817176909158.post-72042077137167153542014-11-15T12:03:00.000-08:002014-11-15T12:03:08.591-08:00Hyde ParkAs those of you who follow me on twitter will already know, I have recently gained some new equipment in the form of a Canon 7d Mk2 and a Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 OS (new camera and lens basically!). Last weekend was my first opportunity to test the new kit when myself and <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/56987879@N06/" target="_blank">Gary Loader</a> took a trip down to Kent to see a Desert Wheatear. I was very impressed with the setup, though the fantastic light meant it was difficult to go far wrong!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desert Wheatear </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desert Wheatear</td></tr>
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I was more interested to see how the lens performed in less ideal conditions and so today, in the gloom I headed off to Hyde Park. In the end the light was marginally better than I was expecting, though I never found myself shooting below ISO 1600! The camera performed fantastically with noise performance - significantly better than my old Sony. </div>
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Enjoy!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U_HbPryBh3A/VGexGzdXSWI/AAAAAAAAC-c/marcvrsCU0k/s1600/IMG_5269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U_HbPryBh3A/VGexGzdXSWI/AAAAAAAAC-c/marcvrsCU0k/s1600/IMG_5269.jpg" height="222" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cormorant</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cormorant</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magpie</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey Squirrel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IibcotiJP5k/VGewCNdzo4I/AAAAAAAAC-I/pbiIZuOLY5c/s1600/IMG_5394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IibcotiJP5k/VGewCNdzo4I/AAAAAAAAC-I/pbiIZuOLY5c/s1600/IMG_5394.jpg" height="320" width="217" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ring-Necked Parakeet</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jay</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OtZhX6HrEII/VGevSTvYEfI/AAAAAAAAC9Y/XejyTYOEe_8/s1600/IMG_5159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OtZhX6HrEII/VGevSTvYEfI/AAAAAAAAC9Y/XejyTYOEe_8/s1600/IMG_5159.jpg" height="194" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jay</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jay</td></tr>
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