A female pied flycatcher, catching the last of the flying ants that swarmed out in the garden earlier this evening.
Probably an early autumn migrant.
Monday 26 July 2010
Friday 9 July 2010
North Wall, Pagham Harbour
8/7/2010 8.30-9.45pm
Took a walk along the north wall at Pagham harbour last night,very quiet,only a few people around. A male peregrine flew in low across the harbour past the breach pool and out towards Chichester making a feeble atempt to catch a wood pigeon on the way.
About thirty five little egrets flew into the roost at owl's copse, some adults with this years young. Some godwits on the breach pool,and over 200 sand martins flying above it,at dusk a hobby suddenly appeared grabbed a martin and was gone again.
Took a walk along the north wall at Pagham harbour last night,very quiet,only a few people around. A male peregrine flew in low across the harbour past the breach pool and out towards Chichester making a feeble atempt to catch a wood pigeon on the way.
About thirty five little egrets flew into the roost at owl's copse, some adults with this years young. Some godwits on the breach pool,and over 200 sand martins flying above it,at dusk a hobby suddenly appeared grabbed a martin and was gone again.
Tuesday 6 July 2010
S.W.France
Tarn 29/06-4/07
Just spent five days visiting family living in s.w.france. Did some walking and birding in the mornings but far too hot to be out walking after 2pm. Only saw two bee-eaters around the dry bank where three pairs nested last year, but it looked like at least two nest holes were being used.Had some great views of golden orioles,including a male being followed through the trees by three juveniles begging for food.
Saw my first purple herons,as well as night heron,great white egret, and lots of cattle egrets that seem to increase in number year after year.
Great views again of a short-toed eagle just hanging in the wind,other raptors included goshawk,hen harriers and lots of black kites.
Went on an amazing nightjar walk one night in an old eucalyptus plantation,with a local french naturalist, some of the best views I ever had of european nightjar, at least four birds churring,hunting and wing clapping.
Other birds seen during this trip included lots of black redstart,cirl bunting and turtle dove,but no hoopoes or shrikes.
Butterflies of interest included,swallowtail,great banded grayling,glanville fritillary,a purple emperor and masses of marble whites.
Humming-bird hawk-moths,always common in france,also so many different solitary wasps,bees and other insects.
Just spent five days visiting family living in s.w.france. Did some walking and birding in the mornings but far too hot to be out walking after 2pm. Only saw two bee-eaters around the dry bank where three pairs nested last year, but it looked like at least two nest holes were being used.Had some great views of golden orioles,including a male being followed through the trees by three juveniles begging for food.
Saw my first purple herons,as well as night heron,great white egret, and lots of cattle egrets that seem to increase in number year after year.
Great views again of a short-toed eagle just hanging in the wind,other raptors included goshawk,hen harriers and lots of black kites.
Went on an amazing nightjar walk one night in an old eucalyptus plantation,with a local french naturalist, some of the best views I ever had of european nightjar, at least four birds churring,hunting and wing clapping.
Other birds seen during this trip included lots of black redstart,cirl bunting and turtle dove,but no hoopoes or shrikes.
Butterflies of interest included,swallowtail,great banded grayling,glanville fritillary,a purple emperor and masses of marble whites.
Humming-bird hawk-moths,always common in france,also so many different solitary wasps,bees and other insects.
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