Not Much ABout

 It's been a quiet time over the last couple of weeks and that, allied with a few days away, has meant there isn't much to report I'm afraid. 

 

A walk along the sea front was of interest though as I spotted a skua flying by relatively close in to shore. I took photos as it flew by and checked them when I got home, as it looked to be something other than a Great Skua. A kind and helpful friend confirmed id as being an Arctic Skua. 

Arctic Skua off Hornsea sea front

Arctic Skua and a photo bombing Red-throated Diver

Arctic Skua

Red-throated Divers

The first of the Autumn's Pink-footed Geese have been flying over and I saw a small group that had landed south of the Mere, joining Barnacle and Greylag Geese.

Pink-footed Geese

The Red-legged Partridges that have been seen regularly around the Mere through Spring and Summer are still here, only four now though.

Red-legged Partridges

During the dearth of interesting birds I've been catching some of our resident birds through the lens. Here is a small selection of those I saved.

Teal

A scruffy Magpie

Kestrel

Same Kestrel as above

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Heron Landing

The insects still showing in the warmish days of early Autumn are quite numerous, although I can't say that that description applies to butterflies! Red Admirals, Commas and Whites are about in greater numbers than Small Coppers (I saw one of those 😂). 

Small Copper

Common Darters, Ruddy Darters and Migrant Hawkers lead the way in the dragonfly stakes, with 18 Common Darters seen during a morning walk. 

Ruddy Darter

Finally for this update, a young Roe Deer was trying to get out of a field but was having some difficulty finding a lowish part of the fence to jump over. It managed eventually I'm glad to report.

One of this year's young Roe Deer