First Wigeon

Present for its third day now, the juvenile Yellow-legged Gull provided marginally better views today.

My first Wigeon of the autumn was with increased numbers of Mallard this morning, the flock now totaling 240+. Also off Mudbank today - 3 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, 11 Canada Geese, 25 Whimbrel, and 1 Ringed Plover. Nearby on Bull Hill - 100+ Sandwich Terns, 1 Common Tern and 35 Great Black-backed Gulls. Migrants on Orcombe first thing were almost non-existent but 2 Wheatears and 3 House Martins just about snuck into the notebook.

Wasp Spider.

Female Common Blue.

Oak Eggars

I followed a pheromone-tracking male Oak Eggar (the darker individual on the right) to a resting female, near the viewing platform. I've noticed several on the wing the last few days but to the untrained eye they look like a fast-moving butterfly.

Off Mudbank this afternoon - just 2 Grey Herons, 3 Common Gulls, 100+ Mallard, 13 Whimbrel, a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull and a Peregrine.

Green Shieldbug nymph - many thanks to Kev for the id.

This grass is growing in the Duckpond, so under saline conditions. Not sure what it is though.

Annual Sea-blite - again, thank you to Kev

Sea Purslane.

This adult Peregrine was ripping a pigeon to pieces, out on the mudflats, with an assemblage of Carrion Crows in attendance, picking up titbits that were flung off. I watched through the scope until it had tolerated enough and flew off (with the remains of its kill).

Yesterday's juvenile Yellow-legged Gull was again present off Mudbank but I couldn't get close to it.

Juv YLG

No obvious scapular moult on this individual, present off Mudbank on the rising tide this afternoon.

Mudbank - 1 Grey Wagtail over, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 21+ Whimbrel, 1 juvenile Yellow-legged Gull and a hunting juvenile Peregrine. I could hear Ringed Plovers calling but didn't see a single one!

Sea Aster is just starting to flower along the edge of the estuary.

Copper Underwing

Copper Underwing.

Still painfully quiet bird-wise in Exmouth with 24 Whimbrel, 5 Common Gulls and a Mediterranean Gull off Mudbank. Yesterday - 1 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, 26 Whimbrel, 95 Mallard and 6 Sandwich Terns.

Grey Poplar Bell Epinotia nisella.

 Fool's Parsley - fruits below.

I couldn't find a single migrant on Orcombe so resorted to counting crows - one field held 80+ Rooks and 30+ Jackdaws.

 Stone Parsley - there's masses of it growing at Maer Farm.

One of two Ring-necked Parakeets hiding in Maer Valley.

Mediterranean Gull.

Brown Argus - The Maer. Two found, both pictured...

Common Blue - a really tiny male.

Sparrowhawk

This beautiful juvenile Sparrowhawk was practicing its hunting skills around our house this morning. A quick look at Orcombe Point revealed just a couple Wheatears and a Willow Warbler. Off Mudbank - 5 Ringed Plovers, 6 Dunlin, 1 Turnstone, 4 Common Gulls and a Mediterranean Gull.

Autumn Lady's-tresses

Cirl Bunting - Dawlish Warren.

A quiet trip to the Warren to look for Autumn Lady's-tresses this afternoon, following a hectic few days of exam results, Maisie passing her driving test and dropping both kids at a festival. Exmouth has been typically quiet but Maer Rocks produced 30+ Swallows and c30 Sandwich Terns first thing, and Mudbank totals included 140 Mallard, 12+ Whimbrel, 1 Teal, 1 Canada Goose and at least 7 Common Terns.

Marsh Helleborine.

Yellow Bartsia.

The Autumn Lady's-tresses are quite far behind where they were this time last year.

Cotton Thistle.

Welted Thistle.

Sea Holly with a strong pinkish purple hue - The Maer.

I think this is Intermediate Polypody - The Maer.

Teal - Mudbank.

Curlew - Mudbank.

Violet Helleborine

Violet Helleborine - near Sturminster Newton, north Dorset. A contender for my favourite orchid - the clean pastel shades of the flower contrasting with the purple stem and dark leaves is just gorgeous. The flowers seem to glow in the darkness of the undergrowth. 

This was the third spike I found and the most out in the open one.

A very dense-flowered spike!

Saw-wort.

A white form of Betony.

Common Cow-wheat.

Common Hemp-nettle.

The views from nearby Fontmell Down were fantastic. I think the last time was there was September 2005. I was hoping for butterflies but it was a bit too cold and cloudy.

Red-tailed Bumble Bee...I think.

Hoary Plantain.

Shaded Broad-bar.

Chalk Carpet.

Brown Argus. A second individual below.

Standard pink Betony.

Bramble.