Monday, July 21, 2008

Sunday 20th July...



Above - An early start at Boulmer was serenaded by this Sedge Warbler. During a short seawatch I had a few Manx Shearwaters, 3 Common Scoters and 3 smart adult summer Little Gulls all N. 8 Goosanders were on the sea.



Above - The first Knot of the autumn was back at Boulmer. Always nice in breeding plumage, this one looks quite exhausted.



Above - Masses of Gulls were feeding on the washed up weed as were 1000 Starlings, Pied Wagtails, Rooks etc.



Above - Closer inspection of the hoards revealed this nice adult Mediterranean Gull beginning to moult out of its black head...




On the way south I checked the weir at Warkworth for Little Egrets but there were none. I was suprised when this massive bull Grey Seal surfaced like some monster salmon at the bottom of the waterfall...



Above - I caught up with the Little Egret at Hauxley nature reserve. It was taking a rest up the bank...I reckon they'll be nesting up here in the near future...While taking this picture I looked in my bag for something and when I looked back the bird had turned into a Rabbit! Bunny there, Egret gone....






above - Hauxley Nature Reserve Car Park...



Above - At the nature reserve car park many wild flowers were out including these Saw-wort, a thistle without spikes and new to me.





Above - From the top, Great Burnet ( a fave of mine, a very nice plant all too scarce now), Maiden Pinks, and bottom, Scabious and Musk Mallow.




And all of those flowers had the butterflies in attendance. Above - Small Heath, Common Blue and Small Skipper all in good numbers.

8 comments:

Tricia Ryder said...

What a great Monday :)

See what you mean about the Knot - looks as though it's about to crash land!

Great subjects/spots and lovely pics Boulmer!

Stewart said...

Oops ta Trisha, I forgot to add that the post was yesterday's...doh!

Tricia Ryder said...

Actually you did say Sunday - in the title of your post - which I obviously didn't read! Silly me :)

drongo said...

Brilliant blog BB. Just keeps getting better. Inspirational. Do you have a copy of Dijkstra, Field Guide to the Dragonflies of Britain and Europe? Its the best guide I have found.

oldcrow61 said...

Wonderful pictures. Quite a day you had by the looks of it.

The Wessex Reiver said...

Good to see the autumn waders enroute, first Dunlin and Oystercatcher for months down here. Shame we have to lose the long evenings though.

Stewart said...

D - Ta. The only dragons book I have ( thats my own and not borrowed) is Dan Powells a guide to the dragonflies of Great Britain. His sketches and text inspired me to look closer at them.

OC -Thanks.

BR - wADERS ARE BACK IN FORCE UP HERE...

abbey meadows said...

Hauxley has it plus points... you can't knock it for quality of plants whether natives or not. Great post.