Not quite sure what's going on with the building site in Bumpers Lane, but it was eerily quiet all day yesterday and also this morning, when normally there would be some working going on. A great opportunity then to walk up Broadcroft Quarry Lane in the peace and quiet.
Its that time of year when the warblers head down towards The Bill, with many stopping off along the lane here. This afternoon there were 3 Chiffchaffs and a Blackcap here, plus Blue Tits, Great Tits and 2 Robins. Not a bad start and in the adjacent horse field there were 2 Stonechats, a Meadow Pipit and a Pied Wagtail.
Where the mound is on the corner of Bumpers Lane and Broadcroft Quarry Lane, there was a Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Up by the pools there was another Blackcap and Chiffchaff, plus 2 Palmate Newts. The latter "slithering" through the grass and disappearing at speed into the undergrowth.
On the South-west Coast path, above The Cuttings, a Clouded Yellow was flitting about, but didn't stop for a photo. I did attempt a shot as you will see below. Hmm.
Also by The Cuttings the Ivy Bee Colonies are doing well and it looks like there is another colony just started up.
Here are a few images from today:
The horse field to the right and the "abandoned" building site on the left of the re-routed footpath.
A Stonechat
A Meadow Pipit in the grass
Broadcroft Quarry Lane where hopefully there will be some good birds to see this Autumn.
Today there was this Chiffchaff............
..........feeding in the Sycamore.
In a Sallow a male Blackcap. You can just make him out.
In the pool area apart from the 2 Palmate Newts there were 3 Silver-Y's.
Over The Cuttings a Kestrel hovers.
Lots of grasshoppers and voles along this stretch to feed on.
The Clouded yellow flew past and I just pointed the camera and fired off a dozen shots. Moving on!!
One of the many grasshoppers the Kestrels enjoy eating.
One of the Ivy Bee colonies.
And another.
Birds Recorded: 2 Kestrel, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Dunnock, Robin, 2 Stonechat, 3 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet and Goldfinch.
Butterflies recorded: 1 Clouded Yellow, 2 Red Admiral, 3 Large White, 2 Small White.
Also recorded: Ivy Bees and 2 Palmate Newts
Wakeham
In the back garden a Hummingbird Hawk-moth was on the Valerian, but didn't stay long. Here are a few shots.
Ships Today
