Sunday July 23 - Morton Bagot

 This post is an amalgamation of two visits, Friday and today. The earlier visit was largely disappointing and only gets a mention at all because it included the highest count this year of Green Sandpipers. A total of 11 were lined up along the back edge of the nearest flash. The Avocets and Little Ringed Plover seen earlier in the week had departed and had not been replaced by anything new.

On Saturday it rained and rained, but this morning dawned bright with just a couple of very brief showers. Dave joined me, and within five minutes the star bird (or birds) flew over. "Kyip kyip" calls announced the presence of at least one Common Crossbill flying south (judging from the calls). We scanned above us but were unable to latch onto a single bird. Fortunately the calls were distinctive enough to claim our first of the year. Also on the move were a few Swifts. We counted 10 or so, which is better than recently.

Buoyed by this start we made our way to the flash field where, scanning from the distance, we could see something new. There is a certain frisson of excitement when you lock onto a new wader, one that is clearly not a Green Sandpiper. Names go through your head, Greenshank, Ruff, err...oh Common Redshank. We got closer and confirmed it was just a Redshank, although at least it was a juvenile and therefore definitely different from the adult earlier in the the month.

Common Redshank (Green Sand in the background)

As for Green Sandpipers, it is highly likely that the eleven from Friday were still here, but the recent rain has raised the level a little and we could only see three. Most of the Lapwings were also out of sight. Birding at Morton Bagot can be a frustrating business. Eventually a Little Egret and a Grey Heron flew in (probably disturbed from the pool field).

The walk back was hi-jacked by insects.

A male Dark Bush-cricket

A male Roesel's Bush-cricket

A male White-legged Damselfly

Udea lutealis

They were all insects we were familiar with, and only a micro moth Udea lutealis was new for the year. However, we did get some more new stuff at the dragonfly ponds. A Common Darter was to be expected, but the highlight was a male Common Emerald Damselfly. 

Common Emerald Damselfly

They were probably here, but we managed to miss the species entirely last year. 

I probably should have spent more time counting insects, but as July edges towards August my focus returns to birds. Mind you, a moth-trapping session is overdue.