All Along The Lee Shore

 A strong, cold NE wind and driving rain wasn't a pleasant backdrop to this morning's walk. Still, a walk is a walk no matter the weather, and it was enjoyable in parts. I only met one other hardy soul all morning, and he didn't really have a choice but to be out in the rain as he was going to work.

In second field by the shore line, between 50 and 60 Swallows were feeding in the lee of the wind and rain behind the taller trees and willows - hence the title for today's post. Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young's 1971 live album "Four Way Street" was the first published recording of The Lee Shore.

Yesterday and Friday delivered better weather for wandering about with the camera.

Bumblebee Blacklet hoverfly

7-spot Ladybird on a bluebell

First ducklings of the year - Mallards

Egyptian Goose

Friday morning's walk through the fields brought a new species for the year in the shape on an Egyptian Goose. Cue silly walks and the Bangles song.

Egyptian Goose with Canadas and Greylags

Egyptian Goose with a single Pink-footed Goose

EG and Pinkie again

EG, PF with Canadas and Greylags

Last pic of the Egyptian Goose

Having written in the previous blog post that I hadn't seen any butterflies for a while, Friday produced 2 Speckled Wood and my first Orange Tip of the year.

Orange Tip

Garlic mustard - Orange Tip food plant

Nettle-tap moth

In previous years there was always a good number of Reed Buntings in the reed bed at Heslop's, but over the last three or four years the count has been declining. At the moment I only see and hear one or two as I go through. Part of the overall decline of bird numbers in general unfortunately.

Sedge Warblers have taken up their usual residency in Heslop's and were joined from Thursday onwards by Reed Warblers. We've had a Grasshopper Warbler reeling in Heslop's since 17th April but only intermittently and for very short bursts. Normally Groppers reel for ages so they are easy to hear, but this one seems reluctant to sing at all, so you need to wait for quite a while before you catch a second or two of song.

Here are some photos of a Grasshopper Warbler, but not a recent one. I took these way back in 2015 at Cowden. Although I have taken more photos of Gropper since then, these are undoubtedly the best I've ever managed.

Grasshopper Warbler reeling

Grasshopper Warbler keeping its head down

Gropper reelin' in the years

The forecast for tomorrow is warm (15 degrees!!!) and dryish so let's hope that happens and gives us some joy for a while.