Couple of nice Brown Hares along the entrance track at Elmley were secretly tucked away behind tussocks of long grass - thankfully the thermal imager gave their presence away... Nice lot of smart Lapwings n the reserve - plus Black-t Godwit, Wigeon, Curlew, Little Owl, etc.
A brief visit to Elmley with the thermal yielded a fantastic Woodcock in the copse by the car park - just a few metres away and definitely one that I wouldn't have seen without the technology...
Similarly, the Little Owls were readily located in a Hawthorn tree near the greenhouse - nice!
 |
| Woodcock - brilliant to be able to photograph it on the deck in the daytime |
 |
| Little Owl - one of two present in the same copse |
This adult Common Buzzard was a surprise find in the mist net this morning - only the second one on John's rings!
Failed in my quest to photograph the immature Little Gull at Hampton Pier this morning - the morning was made up with photographable views of Purple Sand, Sanderling, Turnstone and Dunlin.
Max and I travelled up to the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust reserve at Donna Nook to witness the annual spectacle of thousands of Grey Seals up on the saltmarsh. The count the day before (2/12) yielded 2039 pups, 1498 cows and 497 bulls.
The location is extremely well organised - one-way traffic on the local road heading to enormous car park facilities, toilets, burger bar, info centre, Wardens, safety barriers (protecting seals and people!)...
The real delight of course, is the proximity to some of the animals - some pups, either still in their white new-born fur, or those that have already attained their grey pebble-dashed coats, are right up alongside the footpath barrier. Being just a couple of feet away from these animals is a great privilege.
A fantastic trip!
What a believe to be Candlesnuff fungi growing on some dead wood at Blue Bell Hill. perhaps not rare, perhaps not beautiful - but all part of life's rich learning curve for me!
Some unmarketable fruit is drawing in the flies and the Pied Wagtails (20+). Nice to look through and age/sex the birds...though challenging at times!
Tiger Beetle at Hothfield Common this afternoon - found by Max. Latest record this year...
The first winter Sabine's Gull at Port Lympne is a stunning wee beastie! As can be seen in Barry Wright's 'people picture' below - the bird walks to within metres of the gathering onlookers!
Clathrus archeri or Devil’s Fingers fungi at Sheffield Park NT this afternoon - a nice find during son’s birthday walk…
A fabulous wee fungal foray in Devon on the way home from Scilly this afternoon. Lion’s Mane (on Beech) thanks to @JLyon_62 - a great end to the holiday!
Our last full day and the near-end of a lovely break. First up was the Red-rumped Swallow, first reported yesterday, which had now relocated to the Tregarthen Hotel, Hugh Town.
Second highlight of the day was a fabulous Jack Snipe by the footpath on the way to the Porth Hellich Burial Chamber - haven't seen one for yonks!
And finally, a 'Scilly' Lesser White-toothed Shrew - found by Max as it legged its way across the road up near Telegraph.
