Things are picking up

Black-necked Grebe by Bob Hazel

This morning dawn

Following an impressive sunrise this morning the pond came alive at last with Bob finding a Black-necked Grebe in toft bay while the male Common Scoter was still off draycote bank. Also present were 3 Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, 3 adult and a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull while a Wheatear was among the sailing boats and 2 Yellow Wagtail (16 yesterday) and 10 Meadow Pipits on farborough bank or in the adjacent fields and hedgerows. Warbler activity continues to increase with 2 Whitethroat, 7 Chiffchaff, Lesser Whitethroat and male Blackcap plus 2 Goldcrest though the hundreds of hirundines present from yesterday cleared off at 9am as it warmed up. While Bob did his circuit I walked to rainbow via the country park checking for additional duck and insects with 25 Teal, 12 Wigeon, 6 Gadwall, 10 Shoveler noted. Raven and 5 Buzzard added to the day list. Insects were Migrant Hawker, Southern Hawker, Common Blue Damselfly, Garden Carpet, 2 Silver Y, 4 Vapourer Moth (plus caterpillars) 20+ Red Admiral, 2 Large White, Small White and 4 Speckled Wood. Having spent over 4 hours here we were grateful the Griddle was open for a coffee and sandwich before leaving to clear down Dave’s moth trap. Since the bank holiday a few clear nights have seen a decline in catch numbers and species variety although a number of autumn moths are appearing (Brindled Green, Frosted Orange, Center-barred Sallow and Black Rustic). 

juvenile Ringed Plover by Bob Hazel