Tuesday, 31 May 2022

Geese and White Stonechat

This pair of Egyptian Geese was off Mudbank, early morning on the 29/5. They made an awful barking noise before flying off upriver. I've recorded very few of these in Exmouth but five flew past Orcombe Point earlier this year, on the 4th of January.

Off Mudbank today - 3 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 6 Sanderling, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 29 Canada Geese, 100+ Black-headed Gulls and a fly-over Grey Wagtail.

Dark-bellied Brent Goose - there are still three of these off Mudbank, along with a single Pale-bellied Brent Goose.


Pale-bellied Brent Goose.

Lackey Moth caterpillar  - taken yesterday morning along Bournemouth seafront.


A couple of flowers were photographed growing, apparently wild, along Bournemouth seafront. I can't put a name to either so any suggestions would be appreciated. Edit - above - French Lavendar - many thanks to both Gav and Neil for the identification.


Sulphur Cinquefoil - thank you Neil!


Stonechat (presumed juvenile) - Blackhill Quarry. Rupert told me about this striking, pure white bird a couple days ago. Would like to get closer views but it stuck resolutely to the edge of the lake, within the quarry.


Common Spotted Orchid.

Red Kite - Blackhill Quarry.


Speckled Wood.

Green Hairstreak.


 Bee Orchid.

6 comments:

  1. Hi Matt. I think the purple flower might be a garden cultivar of lavender.
    That Stonechat is pretty amazing!! 😎

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  2. Thanks Gav - Bournemouth centre has botanical gardens so the 'escape' likelihood, I suspect, is very high. All the best. Matt

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  3. Wow that stoney, incredible. Might have to try and see that

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  4. Hi Tom - it favours the left hand end of the lake - worth a look but hope it comes a bit closer for photos! All the best. Matt

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  5. French Lavender, Lavandula stoechas & Sulphur Cinquefoil, Potentilla recta.

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  6. Many thanks Neil - your expertise hugely appreciated, as always. All the best. Matt.

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