Sunday May 14 - Morton Bagot

Dave and I arrived as the thick fog which had cloaked the landscape all morning was just showing signs of lifting. It would soon become a really nice day, perfect for bug hunting.

We had received news that the Shelduck pair now had a family of tiny ducklings (per John & Gary) and also that a Stonechat had been seen. We couldn't find the latter, but had no trouble locating the Shelduck family.

10 Shelducklings on the nearest flash

This is the third time since 2010 that a brood has been produced. It will be interesting to see how many fledge.

But I'm jumping ahead. As we made our way from Netherstead we became aware that a Garden Warbler was singing in the densest patch of scrub. This species was never regular here, but is showing signs of becoming so as the vegetation thickens out. It would be a challenge to see it, but eventually we did. Getting a shot was tricky, but I did my best.

Garden Warbler in full flow

And just to prove I can sometimes take decent shots, I stopped to photograph this:

Reed Bunting

As the sun came out we resigned ourselves to not seeing any rare birds, and started to look at insects. Eight species of spring butterflies were on the wing, the best being a couple of Small Coppers. I'm more used to seeing the second brood in late summer. They're stunning little insects.

Small Copper

We also spotted a couple of moth species; two Small Yellow Underwings and an Angle Shades. The former is regular here in spring and a day-flying moth, but the latter, although its pretty common, is a night flying species, so was more of a surprise.

Small Yellow Underwing

Angle Shades

We knew we were missing an early damselfly, and soon put that right when we located about four Large Red Damselflies. We also saw a number of pale brown female or recently emerged damselflies which may also have been large Reds, but we weren't sure.

Large Red Damselfly

Back at Netherstead we reflected that it had been a pretty decent visit. Then a Red Kite appeared and drifted circled us before being chased off by a Crow. The camera came out again.

Red Kite

I keep telling myself to stop photographing these beauties, but they are irresistible.