April 29th 2010

The mothing gods certainly shined on me last night with the best catch of the year in numbers and quality so I had to drag Bob kicking and screaming out of my garden so we could check on the pond before my walk started.

Muslin Moth male

Herald
Both by Bob Hazell

After walking to farborough spit seeing virtually the same birds that we would see with the group we met them at the visitors centre and strolled out to toft bay.
House Martins were busy building the nests and a male Wheatear showed well for the group along with a Yellow Wagtail (at least 3 present) and 3 Linnets on farborough bank while one of the two Great-northern Divers was still present off the spit but distant.
From the spit we could see male Shoveler and Shelduck in toft shallows so we carried on to get nearer and located the male Garganey in toft shallows with 10 Gadwall so headed for the hide for closer views but once we arrived at the hide it flew to grays barn where the viewing was poor and we lost it.

Garganey by Bob Hazell taken yesterday when it performed in rainbow corner

On our way back 2 Common Tern flew past and the rain started so we were a little damp by the time we got back to the visitors centre. Next walk is on the 13th May at 11am.

Richard