Date:
13th August - 5th September
13th August - 5th September
Location:
Chew Valley, Portland Bill, Brighton, Bannerdown,
Pen y Fan, Severn Beach, Newton St Loe.
Chew Valley, Portland Bill, Brighton, Bannerdown,
Pen y Fan, Severn Beach, Newton St Loe.
Species Highlights:
Clouded Yellow, Long Tailed Blue, Hobby, Spotted Flycatcher, Greenfinch,
Willow Emerald Damselfly.
Clouded Yellow, Long Tailed Blue, Hobby, Spotted Flycatcher, Greenfinch,
Willow Emerald Damselfly.
Observation:
Been a very busy few weeks but here's another catch up of our travels.
Around patch on the 13th August And Painted Lady's everywhere at least 10 counted a real influx of them. took my macro lens a found another Crab Spider.
14th August
Went to Chew and Blagdon Lakes A pair of Egyptian geese at Blagdon was the highlight and plenty of House Martin & Barn Swallow clearing the skies of flies.
20th August
My hunt for the last butterflies of the year continued and Clouded Yellow's had been seen at Portland bill so a quick dash down to Portland it was.
From the fields above Obs many Barn Swallow were lined up waiting to be fed, fueling up for there long journey ahead.
The small area which we saw them was full of Painted Lady, Small White, Red Admiral and Hummingbird Hawk Moth.
Saw 3 Clouded Yellow in the end but none giving the best views but always next year, So I've ended 2019 on 58 Butterflies not to bad...or so I thought.
21st August
I stayed close to home and met up with Allan Chard for a look around Chipping Sodbury Common, Lesser Whitethroat and Common Redstart seen but none really coming close for photos, but Allan mention Stoke Park in Bristol and within a few minutes of arrival we connected with this smart Whinchat.
Giving very close views.
22nd August
Had a wander around Newton St Loe and very pleased to see the Spotted Flycatcher feeding well on the top Lake , rest of patch all a bit quiet.
26th August
A very special day, Long Tailed Blue Butterflies had been reported in Brighton,Dorset and Devon so couldn't miss this for a UK lifer. So decided on the Brighton ones and the chance of a new Dragonfly too, so set off early on this Bank holiday Monday. Missed all the traffic and arrived around 10 am within 20 mins had found a very smart Long Tailed Blue.
A small group of fellow butterfly enthusiasts gathered around them 2/3 seen.
I used a app called just3words and help from Twitter, it pin pointed the bushes exactly!
Giving me great views and even managed a few Macro shots.
A very successful 320 miles, and still no Bank holiday traffic.
27th August
A few Wryneck had arrived in the UK one was showing well in Ogmore, Wales so made a quick dash across with Lauren, found the Wryneck feeding on the nearby cliffs after a few minutes it had flown, very pleased we got there when we did!
Top bird, our last view was Severn Beach back in 2014.
28th August
Still butterfly hunting a Adonis Blue had been seen close to Bath, this would be first for Somerset for a while and I'll always try to get the Butterflies as close to home as possible so at 6 miles from home I went a searching. Unfortunately I couldn't find it but a few Common Blue kept me entertained.
29th August
A return to patch and Spotted Flycatcher still showing well although the Light was awful for photos.
I'd estimate 5 birds were feeding but moving around the top lake.
Top ponds Migrant Hawkers were hovering nicely for some in flight shots.
We had a Hobby over Village, very high up and also this smart Sparrowhawk.
House Sparrow another good year for them 50+ birds around farm shop.
30th August
While getting ready for work a Greenfinch landed on our feeder tree, just don't see them that often.
Juvenile constantly begging, just the 2 birds but keeping my eyes open for them to return.
Lots of other birds visiting too, with all the Brown Boobie action at the moment here's a Great Tit! Sorry..
02 September
Another Patch walk and Swifts, Swallow, House and Sand Martins all seen around patch, Swifts very late, have normally gone from patch by now.
3rd September
A change of venue and waking up early just 4 hours of sleep I drove to Pen Y Fan, Wales. I'd always wanted to walk up so a forecast of Blue skies it was time to go. Perfect conditions greeting me and was really looking forward to it.
Sun up and looking back towards Fan Fawr.
As normal the weather forecasting in the country is awful and clouds then rain came across the hills.
This the best view i got of Corn Du and Pen Y Fan.
Very windy at top and no view at all, o well next time!
4th September
Ever year for the last few , after the butterflies have almost ended i gone to Chew Valley and been very lucky with the Hobbies, this year was no exception.
Was amazing to watch the family food pass and begging of the youngsters.
Not ever food pass was successful mind.
One lucky Dragonfly escaping and a collision of hobbies!
Juvenile looking smart.
Took so many pictures, you just cant help it, real beauties.
My favorite shot was this one, Adult above juvenile begging below and a very unluky Migrant Hawker.
Not the only action in the 2 hours i spent there, Grey Heron.
Plus the now resident Great White Egrets flying past.
As I said a very busy few weeks but a great few weeks.
Thanks for looking, drop me a line in our comments, let me know what you think !
Wayne Year Bird List: 189
Lauren Year Bird List: 180
Butterflies now 59 species
Been a very busy few weeks but here's another catch up of our travels.
Around patch on the 13th August And Painted Lady's everywhere at least 10 counted a real influx of them. took my macro lens a found another Crab Spider.
14th August
Went to Chew and Blagdon Lakes A pair of Egyptian geese at Blagdon was the highlight and plenty of House Martin & Barn Swallow clearing the skies of flies.
20th August
My hunt for the last butterflies of the year continued and Clouded Yellow's had been seen at Portland bill so a quick dash down to Portland it was.
From the fields above Obs many Barn Swallow were lined up waiting to be fed, fueling up for there long journey ahead.
After walking around the Bill no sign of Clouded Yellow, i'd walked about 5 miles at this point searching, a tweet from a friendly butterflyer came in saying East Cliff's 2 Clouded now! I rushed back and drove around to where i thought this was 3 miles later no sign so messaged him and then met him, 2 minutes later Clouded Yellow in the bag, a bit tatty but butterfly number 58 ticked.
The small area which we saw them was full of Painted Lady, Small White, Red Admiral and Hummingbird Hawk Moth.
21st August
I stayed close to home and met up with Allan Chard for a look around Chipping Sodbury Common, Lesser Whitethroat and Common Redstart seen but none really coming close for photos, but Allan mention Stoke Park in Bristol and within a few minutes of arrival we connected with this smart Whinchat.
Giving very close views.
22nd August
Had a wander around Newton St Loe and very pleased to see the Spotted Flycatcher feeding well on the top Lake , rest of patch all a bit quiet.
26th August
A very special day, Long Tailed Blue Butterflies had been reported in Brighton,Dorset and Devon so couldn't miss this for a UK lifer. So decided on the Brighton ones and the chance of a new Dragonfly too, so set off early on this Bank holiday Monday. Missed all the traffic and arrived around 10 am within 20 mins had found a very smart Long Tailed Blue.
A small group of fellow butterfly enthusiasts gathered around them 2/3 seen.
I used a app called just3words and help from Twitter, it pin pointed the bushes exactly!
Painted Lady were everywhere here too some very fresh and some very tatty ones.
Unless I find anymore butterflies this year i'll end on 59 species, such a shame I missed the Chequered Skipper and didn't go for Cryptic Wood, Ireland that would have been hard to Beat, but very very happy with 59 for the year.
After leaving Brighton I had a tip for Willow Emerald Damselflies so headed on the way back to Wood Mill nature reserve, I searched for nearly 2 hours and only had a brief glimpse but sitting down decided weather to go home or nor one landed next to me!
Giving me great views and even managed a few Macro shots.
A very successful 320 miles, and still no Bank holiday traffic.
27th August
A few Wryneck had arrived in the UK one was showing well in Ogmore, Wales so made a quick dash across with Lauren, found the Wryneck feeding on the nearby cliffs after a few minutes it had flown, very pleased we got there when we did!
Top bird, our last view was Severn Beach back in 2014.
28th August
Still butterfly hunting a Adonis Blue had been seen close to Bath, this would be first for Somerset for a while and I'll always try to get the Butterflies as close to home as possible so at 6 miles from home I went a searching. Unfortunately I couldn't find it but a few Common Blue kept me entertained.
29th August
A return to patch and Spotted Flycatcher still showing well although the Light was awful for photos.
I'd estimate 5 birds were feeding but moving around the top lake.
Top ponds Migrant Hawkers were hovering nicely for some in flight shots.
We had a Hobby over Village, very high up and also this smart Sparrowhawk.
House Sparrow another good year for them 50+ birds around farm shop.
30th August
While getting ready for work a Greenfinch landed on our feeder tree, just don't see them that often.
Juvenile constantly begging, just the 2 birds but keeping my eyes open for them to return.
02 September
Another Patch walk and Swifts, Swallow, House and Sand Martins all seen around patch, Swifts very late, have normally gone from patch by now.
3rd September
A change of venue and waking up early just 4 hours of sleep I drove to Pen Y Fan, Wales. I'd always wanted to walk up so a forecast of Blue skies it was time to go. Perfect conditions greeting me and was really looking forward to it.
Sun up and looking back towards Fan Fawr.
As normal the weather forecasting in the country is awful and clouds then rain came across the hills.
This the best view i got of Corn Du and Pen Y Fan.
Very windy at top and no view at all, o well next time!
4th September
Ever year for the last few , after the butterflies have almost ended i gone to Chew Valley and been very lucky with the Hobbies, this year was no exception.
Was amazing to watch the family food pass and begging of the youngsters.
Not ever food pass was successful mind.
One lucky Dragonfly escaping and a collision of hobbies!
Juvenile looking smart.
Took so many pictures, you just cant help it, real beauties.
My favorite shot was this one, Adult above juvenile begging below and a very unluky Migrant Hawker.
Not the only action in the 2 hours i spent there, Grey Heron.
Plus the now resident Great White Egrets flying past.
As I said a very busy few weeks but a great few weeks.
Thanks for looking, drop me a line in our comments, let me know what you think !
Wayne Year Bird List: 189
Lauren Year Bird List: 180
Butterflies now 59 species
Thanks For Looking!
&
Thanks For All Your Support!
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