Friday 19 August 2011

August 19th 2011

Not surprisingly the waders were spread out over the reservoir this morning and difficult to count with at least male and female Ruff, 15 Ringed Plover, 5 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 4 Common Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank and a summer plumage Golden Plover which landed in the picnic area briefly.
Warblers were also well represented with 15 Whitethroat, 5 Lesser Whitethroats, 7 Chiffchaff, 2 Garden Warblers, 20+ Willow Warbler and 5 Blackcap while other sightings included 5 adult, 2 3rd year, 2nd year and first year Yellow-legged Gull, 5 Spotted Flycatcher, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Sparrowhawk, 50 Sand Martin, Reed Bunting, Hobby, 19 Buzzard, Great-spotted Woodpecker and 2 Green Woodpecker.
As water levels continue to drop 2 sailing boats grounded on the new island and a new to the location fishermen came to a shuddering halt that nearly tipped him out when his boat grounded as it left the pontoon.
The stunning weather continued in to the afternoon so I spent the time searching the ridge between Shuckburgh and Napton with Turtle Dove, 2 Corn Bunting, 6 Raven, 14 Buzzards, Hobby, 2 Sparrowhawk and a trickle of Swallow, House and Sand Martins heading south. Obvious migrants after yesterday’s rain included 17 Yellow Wagtails in one field and 2 juvenile Wheatears while a tantalizing brief view of a pipit could have been tree. Many Chiffchaff and Whitethroats present though mobile.
Butterflies seen today were Common Blue, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Green-Veined White, Brown Argus, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Small White, and Large White

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