Greater Butterfly-orchid. These look great even before they're flowering.
Lots of time outside this weekend, making the most of the beautiful weather. Off the seafront first thing - 7 Eider, 80+ Kittiwakes and a Great Northern Diver. Off Mudbank - 16 Canada Geese, 7 Bar-tailed Godwits, 4 Whimbrel, 16 Curlew, 10+ Black-headed Gulls, 9 Shelducks and 1 Grey Plover. Bystock Pool - 1+ Spotted Flycatcher, 1 singing Firecrest, 15 Mallard (all drakes) and a pair of Tufted Ducks. At least 2 Yellowhammers were in full song nearby, on Withycombe Raleigh Common.
Yesterday off Mudbank - 8 Turnstones, 1 Dunlin, 7+ Bar-tailed Godwits, 20+ Black-headed Gulls, 2 Common Gulls, 8 Whimbrel and 1 Ringed Plover.
On 19/5 - Mudbank - 3 Knot, 8 Whimbrel, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Mallard, 13 Mute Swans and 2 Ringed Plovers.
A second Bird's-nest Orchid discovered, close to the first.
Drake Mandarin.
Canada Geese - Mudbank.
Male Yellowhammer in song.
The Spotted Flycatcher singing from its favourite perch - Bystock.
Heath Spotted Orchid.
Bithynian Vetch is now growing in profusion along the cycle path, alongside masses of Common Vetch.
This Broad-bodied Chaser visited the garden today.
I shall make it my mission to find that spotted fly!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck Tom. Seems to like the tall, dead pine - just inside and to the right of the entrance gate. All the best. Matt.
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