August 1st-10th Round Up

 The day after finding a Brown Argus for the first time in a few years I found another! This one was near Weatherhill Farm.

Second Brown Argus of the year 

Brown Argus

 Holly Blues are always nice to see, especial;ly this one that has been loitering in our garden for a few days now.

Holly Blue on our lavender plant

As above

No different dragonflies have been been unfortunately, but lots of the usual species have been on the wing. Common Darter, Ruddy Darter and Migrant Hawkers seem to be all over.

 

Common Darter

Common Darter Close-up

Migrant Hawker in flight

I spent a morning at the sea front watching the birds come and go. The Gannets and Guillemots were pretty distant but the Sandwich Terns were closer - on the breakwaters and rocks at South Beach.

Gannet after an unsuccessful dive for fish

Guillemots

Adult Guillemot

Juvenile Guillemot with fish

Sandwich Tern with unreadable Darvik ring

Sandwich Terns

Sandwich Terns, one with a fish

Sandwich Terns

Final Sarnie

The young Kestrels are managing on their own now and are still hanging around the natal tree, calling every now and again.

Kestrel

Kestrel calling

On 4 August I had a very good hour at the hide. Bearded Tits (heard only) a Bittern and two Hobbies all within the space of 15 mins, with the Hobbies flying through feeding for about half an hour.

This and two below - Bittern over north reed bed

The Hobbies were catching dragonflies and nipping off their wings, but then they flew off with them rather than eating on the wing. Perhaps they were feeding young.

Hobby de-winging a dragonfly

Hobby off elsewhere with prey

Hobby

That's the first nine days of the month sorted.This morning was another good morning at the Mere with my first Bank Vole of the year seen (but not photographed), Buzzard, Marsh Harriers, Kestrels, Green Woodpecker, Bullfinch, Whitethroats, Reed Warbler, Great White Egret, Little Egrets, eight Common Sandpipers, two Curlews circling the Mere, and plenty of Chiff Chaffs seen and heard. Not so many butterflies but still lots of Common Blues in second field, and dragonflies galore.

Bullfinch, looks like a juvenile

Two of eight Common Sandpipers

Same two Sandpipers

Reed Warbler at Weatherhill

 

And finally, water is scarce and you need to fill up whenever you can. If water is hard to find, try sloe gin instead 😂😂😂

Could be a good crop of sloes this year