July 31st 2010

With not much about locally or nationally decided to give Draycote a bash after rain showers thru out the night & morning surely something must have dropped in? I was rewarded with a nice adult Sanderling nr Toft (photos below) also seen Yellow Wagtail,6 Common Tern,6+ Common Sandpiper,1 Oystercatcher & Hobby

July 30th 2010

Another quick trip out to Brandon to see if i could get any better photos of the Green Sandpipers (2 birds present)

28th Jult 2010

Kingfisher




Green Sandpiper


An hr spent at Brandon Marsh in the Carlton hide this morning photographing the juv Kingfishers & Green Sandpiper would av stayed longer but gobby turned (tellin poor old max how to take a photo,don't listen Max ur doin fine!!) up ensuring that most things for a thousand yrds buggered off,decided to head off for Draycote water but a massive fuel leak on the car changed all that so limped off to the garage!

25th July 2010

King Eider




Purple Sandpiper



Knot


Common Seal

I was intending to make this trip up north to Filey,N.Yorks with Steve Seal but the weather charts suggested it was going to be poor weather so Steve & myself decided the previous night not to go however finding myself wide awake early i decided to head off anyway,the weather by the way was glorious,sunshine from the time i got there till when i left at noon,the target was the 1st summer King Eider only my 2nd in Britain other birds seen included 1 Purple Sandpiper,10+ Common Tern,Sandwich Terns,Razorbills,Kittiwakes,Knot,Turnstone,Common Eider & a cpl of Whimbrel (heard only)

19th July 2010

Trapped again overnight with about 25 species caught with 1 new for the garden & 1 a new moth for myself highlights being 3 Scalloped Oak,1 Antler Moth,1 Burnished Brass,1 Nutmeg (New)2 Calamotropha Palludella (New for Garden) best of last nights catch below

Burnished Brass



Nutmeg


Calamotropha Palludella


Antler Moth



Scalloped Oak

16th July 2010

White-tailed Plover


Made the long trip down to Kent today to Dungeness for the White-tailed Plover (or Lapwing if U prefer) didn't set off till late as i waited for news on arrival i was soon watching the bird although somewhat distant (I think with the strong winds today most birds seemed to be keeping their heads down)I was hoping for some decent pics but the bird just didnt want to play ball!!! headed over to the nearby Denge Marsh for the Purple Herons (Bogey bird & still is!!) good views of the Great white Egret but missed the Herons several times throughout the day but on the + side according to a local source the warden counted 7 chicks today?!!? other birds seen 4+ Hobby, Green Sandpiper,Mediterranean Gull,Little Egret & Marsh Harrier

15th July 2010

LIFER IN STAFFORDSHIRE

after finishing work this evening walking the dog then catching up on the days bird news ready for the W/E the words Franklin's Gull Chasewater,Staffs popped out at me!! being a lifer (Yeah tarts tick as some of the lads would say) & the time 7-20pm decided to make the 30m dash over by 8ish was on site with 30+ other birders watching a full ad summer bird although distant but well worth the effort!!!

11th July 2010

Popped over to Draycote Water,Warks on hearing a report of 2 Wood Sandpiper (no sign) only birds of note being 1 Redshank,1 Ringed Plover,5+ Common Sandpiper,2 Little Egret & 1 Common Tern

Common Tern


Another good night trapping in the garden with several new moths for the year inc 3 new moths for myself 1 of which i believe is a rare moth for Warks with only a few records (Reddish Light Arches(New)) moths caught inc Marbled Beauty,Peppered Moth,Shuttle-shaped Dart,Dun-bar,Brimstone,Gothic,Light Arches,Dark Arches,V-Pug,Drinker,Flame Shoulder,Flame,Barred Straw (New) & Golden Plusia

Reddish Light Arches


Barred Straw


Golden Plusia


Drinker



V-Pug

4th July 2010

Trapped again last night with some new moths for the Yr but only about 27 species from about 70 moths.Highlght has to be the 4 Poplar Hawk-moth with Poplar Grey,Light Arches,Mottled Rustic,Uncertain & Clay all new for the Yr others of note Sycamore,Buff-tip,Gothic,Dot Moth & Cabbage Moth

Poplar Hawk-moth (2 of the 4 caught)



Light Arches


Clay


Mottled Rustic


Poplar Grey

1st July 2010

With the birding gone quiet except for a dodgy Finch in Devon (yeah yeah i here all the talk!! but might aswell tick next doors budgie in the garden than a Mexican House Finch) so more mothing when weather & work allows..... Last nights catch was quite varied with 30+ species & about 70+ moths with the highlights below the micro E.Bilunana a 1st for the garden with the Leopard only my 3rd

Lime-speck Pug



Epinotia Bilunana


Common Footman


Beautiful Hook-tip


Common Emerald


Dot Moth


Dark Arches


Buff Arches



Smoky Wainscot


Leopard Moth