Lands end to John O'Groats and everywhere in-between

Date: 
July- August 2020

Location: 
Lands end to John O'Groats

Species Highlights: 

Lunar Hornet Moth, Large Tortoiseshell, Dolphins, Puffins, Skua, Hobby
Observation: 

We start with more Garden Macro and more insects moving into my Bee hotel a Leafcutter species, amazing to watch these carrying their food for their youngsters.

My best Ruby Tailed Wasp to date, again from the hotel.

Spotted Flycatchers doing well on a patch walk with at least one juvenile, but the highlight was this cracking Lunar Hornet Moth, just sat in the road, a species normally only seen with pheromones.

A trip to WWT Steart Marshes on a very windy day and managed to find Channel Wagtail.

Plenty of Avocet also.

Back at home, the Hedgehog is now making regular visits, very happy with its Tea

Butterflies around the patch, thought this European Peacock really shinning.

Large Tortoiseshell from Portland Bill a good number of Caterpillars were found this year so these were homegrown! Who knows next year spreading throughout the Uk?

I'm jumping around a bit but another from garden Zebra Spider, a Jumping spider, love these!

Next, off we'd planned a trip to Cornwall so Lands end and Landscapes was in order, if you'd like to see a Vlog what Lauren has made take a look there are 3 parts so follow links 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7X1Az73iqg

Next, we took a boat trip from Penzance on the MErmaid, Weather was not ideal with rain, fog, and heavy cloud, but Manx Shearwater were in good numbers a lifer for us both.

Gannets, Shearwater, Guillemot, Fulmar also flitting about.

Dolphins too but took some finding, as usual, hard to get that headshot!

Lauren got closest, shame Dolphin wasn't.

Shame weather was so bad for boat trip as Blue skies for the rest of the trip!

Cape Cornwall.

Sennen Cove

Back home and a Patch walk Grey Heron on its normal tree, a real lack of Heron this year, the reason I spoke of earlier in blogs.

Kingfisher buzzing up and down the top lake.

A week later Scotland! I know but it was very cheap, a quick flight to Edinburgh a stunning city, really enjoyed wandering around this great city. Two days then a hire car and we drove up the east coast toward Inverness dropping in at Loch Garten, really pleased to get Northern Damselfly a lifer, a brief view of Crested Tit but gone before I could raise the camera.

Another lifer Red Grouse from Lochindorb on are the way to Channory Point for more dolphins.

We went 3 times over the course of the next few days but the Dolphins not really showing well, big crowds of people and Grey Seal showed the best.

My best shot of the trip.

The best area of the trip was a bit further up at John O'Groats and Duncanbys Stacks.
Hooded Crow.

Loads of Kittiwake, Fulmar, Wheatear scattered along the coastline.

We'd booked a Trip to Staffa from Mull but with the weather on the change was doubtful whether it would go ahead, so very pleased to find some Puffin at Duncansby Stacks, so close too!

Always think they look a bit sad?

A highlight was This Great Skua a few of them whipping around the other birds trying to unsettle and nab its lunch!

Then Lauren spotted this beaut an Artic Ska, wow!

I'd recommend Duncansby could spend all day there!

Within 5 feet!!!

The next day we drove to Eilean Donan - Kyle of Lochalsh, a 13th Century Castle and the star of the Shortcake Tin, well that's where I know it from, LOL. It rained all day it was very wet.

Later we dropped into Creag Meagaih for a wander and my target Scotch Argus, weather was not ideal, windy drizzle but a few minutes searching likely locations, Bingo 10/20 seen! 

My 55th butterfly of 2020 not bad considering lockdown!

A few miles away was Glenfinnan Viaduct, you recognise it ??? Harry Potter.

A stunning location but beware parking is a bit of a nightmare, had to park over a mile away and jog back to the car park!

Red Deer wandering freely around the viaduct.

A very early start and two hours from Oban, two ferries later we eventually drove onto Mull, it was pouring down, in fact, it didn't stop until the next day! At least no midges, O wait still midges!! 

Eas Fors Waterfall full flood!

Not many pictures, unfortunately, we ended the trip in Glasgow, and as before my girls made another VLog check link here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkICU2Czv3I

3 parts so follow links and maybe subscribe 

Back home and time to visit Chipping Sodbury Common, Lesser Whitethroat, Redstarts but tricky.

Now with my 56th Butterfly done and dusted the Silver Spotted Skipper, a blog for that to follow soon, as normal I head down to Chew Valley Lake for some Hobby action,  I hope.

Little, Great White, and Heron kept me entertained while I sat and waited.

Then like a rocket Hobby!

Waiting patiently it landed in front hide and paraded around searching but insects on the ground as Dragonflies were a little scarce.

A real treat!

Perfect Light a perfect day.

My favorite place this time of year! 
Join me again soon for who knows what but Butterflies and Moths to follow.

Wayne Year Bird List: 195
Lauren Year Bird List: 191

Patch Total Stands At 78

Thanks For Looking! 

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  Thanks For All Your Support!

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May- June 2020

Date: 
May- June 2020

Location:
Lockdown to short distances

Species Highlights: 

Butterflies, Collared Pratincole, Bittern, Spotted Flycatcher, Honey Buzzard, Red-footed Falcon

Observation: 

It's amazing how far behind we've got with Blog, been snapping so many things and what with Butterfly season and Mothing it all taken over!
But I'll start with some garden macro and this.

Blue Mason Bee in my Bee hotel.

Not just Bee's have been moving in a Zebra Spiders too, a pair has moved into the lower ground apartment!

A no-drive Lockdown walk to Lansdown, just a couple of miles away from Home and some decent birds were seen, Linnet

With Lesser Whitethroat, Wheatear, and even a number of Garden Warbler.

I mentioned the Moth'ing it very addictive and it giving me plenty to photograph the moths, well some are real poser! 

Muslin Moth

Macro work in itself is great, you really get to see many unseen features, Wasp.

Still getting around the patch, but major works on the top lake have stopped most birds breeding this year, its even affected the Dragonflies, these taken and top little ponds, Large Red Damselflies

Really liked this shot, the plant has many names including Geranium robertianum, Herb-Robert, Red Robin, Storksbill, Fox geranium, Stinking Bob, Squinter-pip , Crow's foot, or Roberts geranium but the name I like for this beautiful little flower is Death comes quickly.

The patch is looking great even if the birdlife is a bit scarce.

 On 07/05/2020 I decided on a change of walk and walked down past Pheasantre wood and look what I found a Spotted Flycatcher, it seemed to be around a hole in tree so would keep an eye on him.

Butterflies starting to emerge and Common Blue on Sunnybank despite them cutting the plant life back to within a 00.5 of its life!

My crawling around on Sunnybank was rewarded with a Tick!

So tiny but the macro lens making them look as scary as they are!!

The Moth Trap filling up with Cockchafers, when they pose like this you gotta love them

The Day lockdown ended and everyone was allowed to travel I made the most of it and a trip to Bentley woods for the Pearl Bordered Fritillary, it showed very well, temperature was cold and I was surprised how many I saw.

From here I travelled to Fovant Badges a new spot but a great spot, again weather was cold, cloudy and very windy but the Duke of Burgundy gave me great views.

On a roll, Cotley Hill on way Home and this my favorite hill racking up a few more species including Marsh Fritillary.

Butterfly season well underway and next day Axebridge hill, Cheddar for Small Pearls and Green Hairstreak.

Back to birding a trip to the Somerset Level
the always present Marsh Harrier.

Then like buses two Bittern scrambling for position! it was a bit misty.

Back into the garden so much to see, this cracking Ruby-tailed Wasp.

An unexpected twitch, while out butterflying I looked at my phone and noticed 50 unread WhatsApp messages!! Collared Pratincole at Pilling Wetlands, quick dash home to get Lauren a lifer for Lauren!

More garden critters and another Jumping spider this one is Pseudeuophrys Lanigera.

Another Patch walk and  Butterfly alley has been cut down but this Blackcap didn't seem to mind.

The Spotted Flycatcher has a family 2/3 birds seen positive all darting around the small woodland. A totally different nest site for them, not seen any around lakes this year but with disturbance its no surprise.

A trip for Silver Studded Blue, in Dorset and Yellowhammer, singing away, I'll do a Butterfly Blog with all the ones I've managed this year, a surprising year!

From here it would be rude not pop into Portland and were glad we did, a UK life tick for us both a Honey Buzzard high over the Bill.

Even made a mention on Rare bird alert!

Back home a  Greater Spotted Woodpecker has been visiting every 20 mins a fine looking chap.

Little Owl very close to Home, not a Newton St Loe bird, but close.

More macro and a beautiful Elephant Hawk Moth, one of Uk most colorful.

Even flies look great under the Macro lens.

A couple of weeks past and Radipole lakes for a Norfolk Hawker in Dorset 3/4 spotted here, a species normally only seen in Norfolk, on the move?

Radipole still and the lovely Mute Swan family.

Gotta be one of the strangest moth the Buff Tip, at first thought kids had been chucking ammo at trap but no a true beauty.

I was back at work now, a few hours sleep after a strange weekend back and Sunday Morning this Red-footed Falcon was down near Minehead, we couldn't miss this cracker.

It gave us amazing views zipping past and at times just feet above our heads.

A UK lifer for us both.

In the Garden we've got a couple of cheap webcams a look Hedgehog, not one or Two but Three seen, with mating behavior seen.

A rare sunny afternoon and arrival of Greenfinch with youngsters in tow.

Bullfinch making regular visits too.

Very Smart birds.

Another Patch Walk a Swifts over Top Lake open briefly, before it shut again for tree felling!!

Good Numbers of Whitethroat around the patch this year with at least 5 pairs scattered around.

 So that was May and June plenty to see eh! 

Join us again soon for the rest of the Summer months and eventually, it'll be up to date, I'll add a Butterfly Link and Moth links to the righthand side when I've caught up.

Thanks For Looking! 

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  Thanks For All Your Support!

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