I had a thoroughly enjoyable first and hopefully not
the last visit to the reserves in the title.The cliffs at RSPB Bempton are an
awesome sight, sound and smell with all the nesting sea birds. Puffins were
mostly to be seen on the water but a few were still spotted on the cliffs if you
had a sharp eye to spot them amongst all of the Kittiwakes, Fulmars, Guillemots,
Razorbills and the stunning Gannets! To see such quantities of nesting birds and
also the vast quantity on the water was breath taking!
Flamborough Head and
Thornwick Bay were interesting areas especially the walks in the valleys were
Linnets, Meadow Pipits and Stonechat were observed.
RSPB Blacktoft was an exceptionally pleasing visit
especially so as Montagu Harriers had nested and were
feeding young! We had a distant view of the harriers but still a treat in
itself. Ruff, Black-tailed Godwits and Spotted Redshank in superb summer plumage were just a few of the highlights seen at RSPB Blacktoft which to my mind is a splendid reserve and one I hope to visit again sometime in the future.
RSPB Bempton Cliffs
It was lovely seeing so many Tree Sparrows on and around the feeders. A House Sparrow is a highlight these days in my area so to see the Tree Sparrows in good numbers was heartening.
I was pleased to have picked out a Bridled Guillemot though I was told by a volunteer that they are there in good numbers.
Flamborough Head and Thornwick Bay.
I believe this is a Northern Marsh Orchid, there were several spikes in the area.
Thornwick Bay
RSPB Blacktoft Sands
I will end the post as I started it with a Tree Sparrow, good to see that Blacktoft are seemingly also doing well with Tree Sparrow numbers!
It was a really enjoyable trip in what is a very a scenic County!
I am finally getting around to posting in June before the month is out and July arrives with a promised heatwave!
Visits to Dowles Brook in the Wyre Forest, Brake Lane and Mill at West Hagley and Warwickshire for a special Warbler were enjoyed, the Severn Valley Railway and sightings in my garden completed the month of June which seemed to fly by!
6th June. Brake Mill and Brake Lane.
Not a lot to report about from this area other than the sighting of a few duckling families ( I wonder how many have survived), I was informed that the Swan pair had had 6 cygnets which have now reduced down to 2 cygnets, they are now growing at an alarming rate!
A singing Corn Bunting at Brake lane was a joy to see and hear.
................................................
7th June
Dowles Brook, Wyre Forest.
Wood Warbler was heard only from the Railway Track just on from the car park, Grey Wagtail, a pair of Buzzards and a Nuthatch family with the young being fed in one of the trees by Lodge Hill Farm were the highlights today.
. Good numbers of Common Blue male and female butterflies were seen along with Brimstones and a couple of flighty Pearl-bordered Fritillaries. Longhorn Moths were in abundance.
.................................................
18th & 24th June
Severn Valley Railway.
A very pleasant couple of days were spent travelling on the Severn Valley Railway- Heritage Steam Railway and stopping off at Arley, Highley and Bridgnorth for refreshments and a walk in delightful countryside.
A visit was made to see the long staying Melodious Warbler at Mercote Mill Farm which is close by Marsh Lane Nature Reserve (a private reserve) near Hampton-in-Arden. A stunning Warbler to see and an absolute joy to hear singing! Luckily the heavy rains of the day kept at bay for around 20 minutes or so whilst we were enjoying some good views of the bird though as soon as a few heavy spots of rain fell the Warbler sensibly took cover and we made our leave.
A walk at Whittington produced some great butterfly sightings, these being Small Tortoiseshell
and Meadow Brown. Though the wind was at times quite strong I still managed a few images when the butterflies settled. Skylarks were heard and seen throughout the duration of my walk and it was a treat to see a Skylark perched and singing it's delightful warbling song!
To a Skylark by William Wordsworth.
Up with me! up with me into the clouds! For thy song, Lark, is strong; Up with me, up with me into the clouds! Singing, singing, With clouds and sky about thee ringing, Lift me, guide me till I find That spot which seems so to thy mind!
..............................................
Throughout the month of June in my garden I have had the pleasure of visits from Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Bullfinch (pair), Goldfinch, Coal, Great and Blue Tits, Long-tailed Tits and my usual garden visitors Robins, Dunnocks, Blackbirds, Woodpigeons, Carrion Crow x2 (in the garden for their early breakfast feast) and a cheeky Heron that managed to snatch a rather large fish from my coveredpond and then deposited it in the middle of a lawn as it was presumably too big for it to consume...what a waste of a fish!
I purchased a Wildlife Camera from Aldi (a snip at £69.99) and was thrilled to see on the first trial that the camera had captured a Fox in my garden in the early hours! I knew a Fox had been visiting as it had left it's calling card a couple of times but it was great to see an image of it during it's early morning visit.
...................................
I finish my June post with a photo taken in my garden of a young Magpie that thought it would try and catch a butterfly......it is a solar powered flying butterfly!!!
