Returning Breeders and Emperor Moths

Green-winged Orchid - several flowers out now but not the 'purple carpet' it can be..... yet.

Orcombe was very quiet this morning but my first Common Sandpiper, in Exmouth, this year was on the rocks and a lone Willow Warbler 'willow-warbled' from clifftop sallows.

Maer Rocks produced just a lone Whimbrel with 1 Common Tern and 9+ Sandwich Tern offshore.

The river was hidden by a thick bank of morning fog but I managed to log 25+ Whimbrel off there and little else.

This afternoon I had a wander around the margins of the Exmouth parish and was pleased to find Firecrest, Spotted Flycatcher and Dartford Warbler, all back on territory.

On Bystock Common, c10/20+ Brimstone butterflies were on the wing and on East Budleigh Common an estimated 50+ male Emperor Moths were zooming round late afternoon, assuming of course that I'm not counting the same individuals doing laps, which is entirely possible. Martin made it over to see them. Great to catch up with him as always.

It's been a busy week at work this week so I haven't seen much, but on the 1st a 5 minute 'glance' off the seafront produced a Great Skua and 8 Manx Shearwater.

 

Common Tern below the fog bank.

Holly Blue (above) and Speckled Wood on laurel, in the garden this afternoon. Orange-tip and Green-veined White also seen.

Spotted Flycatcher back on territory.