It was a trip to The Bill for an hour today, with my daughter, her husband and the two boys. And of course Ted, who enjoyed all the attention he was getting from my grandsons.
And yes I did take my binoculars and camera, just in case there was something interesting to see and photograph. And I'm glad I did, as I recorded my first Kittiwakes of the year, with two birds heading west past the Pulpit.
Also noted were many Guillemots and Razorbills sat on the water, whilst overhead I watched a procession of Sand Martins and Swallows coming in off the sea and heading north up the island.
And for the third successive year a male Wheatear has set up territory around the The Bill car park. It was only because it was singing from the roof of the Toilet Block, that I realised it was there.
Something else which came across the water, was a Red Admiral which I certainly wasn't expecting to see. I know that Painted Ladies and Clouded Yellows arrive here from Europe, but it's the first time I've seen a Red Admiral following suit.
Birds Recorded:
2 Gannet
1 Cormorant
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
2 Kittiwake
Razorbill
Guillemot
Sand Martin
Swallow
1 Wheatear
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
1 Raven
Starling
House Sparrow
My first Kittiwake of the year with its bright yellow beak and.........
..............black legs.
A raft of auks with both Razorbills and Guillemots.
Unfortunately a very fast speedboat forced them to take off.
However after it had left they settled back onto the water.
Four Guillemots with 3 Razorbills centre frame
And a male Wheatear in the Bill car park.
Butterflies Recorded:
1 Red Admiral
General Photos:
1 Red Admiral
General Photos:
Ted being taken for a walk by my grandsons.