April 'Odds and Sods', Pt.2 - 25th to 29th April, 2023

Pt.2 of my 'mop-up' account of April covers a shorter period than Pt.1 but contains coverage of some events that, for me, were quite exciting. So here we go:-

Tuesday, 25th April                    Sence Valley Forest Park ; Garden

There had, the previous day, been a report of a Whinchat and two Wheatear in the most recently planted area of Sence Valley FP. It was an area of this place that I had not previously visited, so decided that it was time that I took a look.

I parked my car in a spot that was relatively close to the area and set off along the perimeter path. I soon spotted a likely looking bird on the fence, way ahead of me. It was, unfortunately, somewhat into the light, and I was unable to make a positive ID with my binoculars. I continued down the path taking record shots as I approached, and was starting to get within a sensible distance when couple with dogs came from the opposite direction and spooked the bird, which disappeared over the newly planted trees. I can, however, see from my shots that it was a Wheatear that I'd seen. From the white on the belly, it appears to have been a male, but I'm not sure about that!

Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) (male?) - Sence Valley FP

I waited there for quite a while, hoping for the bird to return, and keeping myself occupied by trying to photograph passing gulls.

Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus) - Sence Valley FP

The bird did not return, so I set off to go to Horseshoe Lake, briefly calling in at the hide at Stonebridge Pool on the way. Nothing of interest was seen from the hide, but Orange-tip butterflies and and a hoverfly were photographed from the path that lead round to Horseshoe Lake.

While I was trying to photograph a female Orange-tip, a male arrived and the female demonstrated that she was ready! I got better photos of the female on her own, but thought this less-than-sharp image to be more interesting.

Orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines) (female+male) - Sence Valleyy FP

hoverfly (Eupeodes luniger) (male) - Sence Valley FP

At Horseshoe Lake, the best that I could find to photograph was a Black-headed Gull.

Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus) - Sence Valley FP

Also, while there, I spotted a pair of small and very colourful flies that were attracted to the trunk of a small tree - I neglected to note the species of tree. The flies were Gymnocheta viridis which, as adults, feed on pollen and nectar, but prefer to rest on trunks of trees..

fly (Gymnocheta viridis) - Sence Valley FP

It was time to return to my original location to see if my luck would change. On the way, I stopped for a fine male Orange-tip.

Orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines) (male) - Sence Valleyy FP

As I approached the access to my original location, a couple with two dogs arrived from the area that I was heading for, which didn't give me any confidence that I'd fare better on my return. However, as I reached the corner, I spotted the Whinchat on the fence ahead. I made a cautious approach and noticed a Wheatear just behind the Whinchat. The Whinchat was relatively cooperative and I managed some shots that I'm quite pleased with.

Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra) (male) - Saltersford Valley CP

Whilst the Whinchat was relatively confiding and stayed put as I walked past on the other side of the 'path' (more like a 'ride' in its width), the Wheatear, a definite female, kept moving ahead of me until I got to a point where the path split and I could approach at a greater distance, and manage some shots.

Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) (female?) - Sence Valley FP

Thus ended a very pleasing visit.

That night the moth trap went out, but only resulted in one moth. It was, however, a beautiful Purple Thorn - a species that I have only once before had the pleasure of finding in my trap.

Purple Thorn (Selenia tetralunaria) (male) - from garden on 25th April, 2023

Wednesday, 26th April                    Garden

During breakfast in our conservatory, I noticed a warbler high up in the Viburnum and managed to get a glimpse of reddish legs, identifying it as a Willow Warbler, rather than a Chiffchaff (which has blackish legs). I did manage a record shot of this species which rarely visits our garden.

Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus) - garden on 26th April, 2023

I was in the garden later this day, and noticed something floating on the surface of our mini-pond. It was a very dead Large Red Damselfly, and the first damselfly I had seen this year.

Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) - garden on 26th April, 2023

I had not been expecting to see this species so early, as it was over two weeks earlier than the first emergence from our mini-pond last year, and this year seemed to have got off to an even colder start. However, on checking the pond, I found evidence (by exuviae or emerged damselflies still present), of at least twelve emergences! 

Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) - garden on 26th April, 2023

Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) (exuvia of above damselfly) - garden on 26th April, 2023

Friday, 28th April                    Garden

Corvids are not unusual in our garden, with Magpie being an almost daily visitor during the winter, However, Jackdaw is a much less frequent visitor, and Rook is rarely seen, so to have all three visit the same day, although not at the same time, was extremely unusual.

Jackdaw (Corvus monedula) - garden on 28th April, 2023

Rook (Corvus frugilegus) - garden on 28th April, 2023

Magpie (Pica pica) - garden on 28th April, 2023

Saturday, 29th April                    Garden

I rarely photograph House Sparrow, and am starting to wonder why. They used to be by far the most numerous visitor to the garden, with counts of 20 or more being common, but now it is an unusual day when I count more than two. I fear that the day is coming when they are no more! The male House Sparrow is a handsome bird, and I now feel the need to be more attentive to this species.

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) (male) - garden on 29th April 2023

A female Orange-tip posed nicely for the camera.

Orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines) (female) - garden on 29th April, 2023

A Pond Skater has found a home in our pond. I am not sure of its specific identity. This photo looks as if it is grainy, but I think that it is pollen from the Rowan that is floating on the surface!

Pond Skater (Geridae sp.) - garden on 29th April, 2023

Our local Robin has been making a nuisance of himself. He's been waiting until the damselflies have emerged from the pond and are almost ready to fly, and then snaffling them up. It seems that he is taking them to his young in a nearby nest. So far, I have witnessed evidence of 65 Large Red Damselflies emerging from our garden mini-pond and I would be surprised if more than ten of them actually escaped being predated. This one's for Gini.

Robin (Erithacus rubecula) - garden on 29th April, 2023

I have spent some time recording the emergence of the Large Red Damselflies, and have been surprised at how many of the nymphs are emerging without any of their caudal lamellae present. I would estimate that half of them have emerged this way.

Here is a larva in such a condition.

Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) (nymph) - garden on 29th April, 2023

In the image below you can see the exuvia, to which the emerged damselfly is still clinging, has caudal lamellae in situ on the end of the abdomen sheath.

Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) (teneral adult+exuvia) - garden on 26th April, 2023

And here is one that escaped the clutches of the Robin, with a little help from me! Its maiden flight took it to a low-growing Hebe.

Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) - garden on 26th April, 2023

 

Thus ends Pt.2 of my April O&S account. My next blog post will probably be in about a week's time and, at this stage of the game, I have no idea as to what the content will be! In the meantime, please take good care of yourselves and Nature.

 

Thank you for dropping by - - - Richard

Scilly Sojourns, Sept/Oct, 2022, Pt.1 - 25th to 27th September

Lindsay and I, together with our daughter Melanie, and granddaughter Georgie, had another highly enjoyable stay on the island of St Marys, Isles of Scilly, at the end of September through to the beginning of October. Here is Pt.1 of my account of this stay.

Sunday, 25th September                 Ashby de la Zouch to Hayle, Cornwall

We left home at 10.30, and the journey from to Hayle, in Cornwall, was an uneventful one. It took just under 6 hours, with comfort stops and a picnic lunch en route.

Check-in at the Premier Inn was swift, and our room was comfortable and spacious. A message from Melanie to say that she and Georgie would be arriving at about 18.30 gave me time for a quick visit to the part of the Hayle Estuary known as Copperhouse Pool. Close to the car park was a Herring Gull, and a little further on, at a distance, I saw Wigeon, a Curlew, and a Little Egret.

 

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) - Copperhouse Pool, Hayle

Wigeon (Mareca penelope) - Copperhouse Pool, Hayle

Curlew (Numenius arquata) - Copperhouse Pool, Hayle

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) - Copperhouse Pool, Hayle

The call of a Curlew alerted me to another of the species that was departing on the far side of the pool.

 

Curlew (Numenius arquata) - Copperhouse Pool, Hayle

I missed getting shots of two Grey Wagtail that were close to the path, but a Rock Pipit was somewhat more obliging, although still difficult to photograph as, with the light and surrounding vegetation, it was hard to find in the viewfinder!

 

Rock Pipit (Anthus petrosus) - Copperhouse Pool, Hayle

Ahead of me, I  was disappointed to see one of a group of four youngsters go over the wall to the water's edge and throw a stone at the large group of Canada Geese that were there. They also put up a wader that I was not able to identify, and which disappeared into the distance. At my age, I  considered it wise not to confront them, however.

 

A Black-headed Gull arrived after the youngsters had left the area.

Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) - Copperhouse Pool, Hayle

Further on, from the road, I did get some very close views of a Curlew that was very confiding.

 

Curlew (Numenius arquata) - Copperhouse Pool, Hayle

On my way back to the car, I was pleased to see that the Canada Geese had returned, so here are a few of them (for David).

 

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) - Copperhouse Pool, Hayle

That night, for the sake of convenience and lack of appetite, Lindsay and I  had our evening meal at the Scottish restaurant  (McDonald's!). 

We turned in early at 21.30 feeling rather tired after a long car journey.

 

Monday, 26th September               Hayle to Land's End to Isles of Scilly

 

We had a gentle start to the day as our flight was not until 12.20. With the airport being only 30 minutes away, and an 11.30 check in time, we had time to kill before leaving our overnight accommodation.  I attempted a walk up the country lane on which the hotel is located but, with no verges and rather a lot of fast traffic, I  soon felt uncomfortable about the safety of this and gave up, only photographing a very vocal Rook that seemed totally unperturbed by my presence.

 

Rook (Corvus frugilegus) - Carwin Rise, Hayle

The weather forecast was for sunny spells, but with strong winds, and we were a little concerned as to whether our flight would be cancelled, but all went ahead as scheduled, and we landed on St Mary's, Isles of Scilly, just 20 minutes later.

Having reached our accommodation and settled ourselves in, Melanie and I went off to the Co-op to buy some immediate provisions for lunch, after which I went for a walk to see what I could find. My walk took me along the sea front of Littleporth and Porthcressa, up the hill to Buzza Tower, along King Edward's Road to Peninnis Head and back down the western side of Peninnis to Porthcressa and Littleporth. 

Before I left, I couldn't resist taking a shot of the Starlings lined up on the railings at the bottom of the property's garden.

 

Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) - from the house, Littleporth

As I left for my walk, I looked out for birds on the beach below the property. I tend to have great difficulty in trying to separate White Wagtail from Pied Wagtail, and I think that these may now have been lumped together anyway. I believe this to be Pied Wagtail as it seems to have extensive grey on the flanks, but please let me know if you disagree.

 

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba) - Littleporth

I saw very little for the first nine tenths of this walk, only photographing some relatively mundane items, just to exercise my shutter finger. One item, though, was a little disturbing - it appeared to be the front of the skull of a Gannet and possibly a victim of Avian Influenza. It looks as if that might be an eyeball hanging out, but I wasn't going to get any closer to investigate.

 

remains of Gannet (Morus bassanus) - Porthcressa

There was disappointingly little seen along King Edward's Road on the way to Peninnis Head, and I only photographed one of the Rabbits in a field that had withered Amaryllis belladonna at the far side. Rabbits are plentiful on St Marys.

 

Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) - from King Edward's Road

Nothing was seen on Peninnis Head, where it was very windy. But from the head, I saw a group of five Sandwich Terns and three Mediterranean Gulls.

 

Mediterranean Gull (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus) + Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis) - from Peninnis Head

Mediterranean Gull (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus) - from Peninnis Head

Nearly back at base I found some interest in a good number of Ivy Bees, on Ivy, by the allotments at the eastern end of Porthcressa. This was, until relatively recently, a quite rare bee, being first recorded in UK in 2001, but is now well-established on the Isles of Scilly and is rapidly spreading northward in the southern half of UK.

 

Ivy Bee (Colletes hederae) - by Porthcressa allotments

A little further on I saw a Hummingbird Hawkmoth, but failed to get any photos. 

Arriving at the eastern end of Porthcressa beach, I  noticed a fellow with a camera photographing a Song Thrush. While we chatted, I spotted a bird fly in and land relatively close. It was a Linnet, which is a common bird in these parts, but this one was unbelievably confiding and flew to within a about 3 metres of us! It was intent on feeding on dandelion seed.

 

Linnet (Linaria cannabina) - Porthcressa

I had another pleasant encounter when I reached Littleporth as a Stonechat was present, and I  also took some shots of a wagtail.

 

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba) - Littleporth

Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola) (female) - Littleporth

That evening, Melanie and I went out to the Co-op to collect our click-and-collect order of the main provisions for the week. 

The rest of the evening was spent writing up notes before another early night.

 

Tuesday,  27th September                Higher Moors ; Carreg Dhu Gardens ; Newford Ponds

This was never going to be a brilliant day as the weather forecast was for heavy rain for most of the day and winds of between 30 and 42 miles per hour. 

My first duty for the day was to collect the buggy that we'd hired for the remaining six days of the break, after which I  had a late breakfast. 

In the late morning, a let-up in the rain coincided with a report of two Whimbrel at Porthcressa, which is within easy walking distance of our accommodation. I set off to try and find these, but had no success. If one sees a Phalacrocoracid on the Scillies, it tends to be a Shag, rather than a Cormorant. This one, out in the bay at Porthcressa, seems to have the head markings resembling those of a Shag (although my photo is not clear in this respect), but lacks the steep forehead usually apparent in that species. I am, therefore, a little unsure of its ID, but think Shag. 

 

Shag? (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) - Porthcressa

 I saw little else on this brief excursion. However, when I  was within ten metres of the property and had stopped to talk to a fellow birder, he spotted the two Whimbrel flying across the bay, and settling on the rocks on the Garrison side of the bay. I only managed shots that were not even good enough to count as record shots. The image berlow is hevily cropped. Can you spot them?

 

Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) - Littleporth

If you missed them, you should look at that large vaguely heart-shaped rock. There's one just above the 'v' at the top of the rock, and one just below the very bottom of the right-hand 'lobe'.

 

There was another break in the rain after lunch and I took the buggy to Higher Moors. The hides looking over Porthhellick Pool only produced Moorhen, Coot, and Mallard. Only a pair of wagtails (glimpsed in flight and not identified) was seen by the beach.

 

Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) (juvenile) - Porth Hellick Pool

With the area so unproductive, I left and headed to Carreg Dhu Gardens in the hope of finding Firecrest and maybe a flycatcher of some sort, as both Pied and Spotted Flycatcher had been reported on the islands. Carreg Dhu Gardens is a sheltered area of tranquility, containing some wonderful plants and is a haven for migrating birds in inclement weather. It seems, however, that none had found the gardens on this occasion. I did photograph a couple of flowers.

 

Brugmansia sp.  - Carreg Dhu Gardens

Amaryllis belladonna - Garreg Dhu Gardens

I'd only been in the gardens for about ten minutes, and not seen any birds, when I  got a call from Lindsay to ask if I could come back with the buggy as Georgie (who is primarily nocturnal) was up and wanting to go out for an explore. The plan was that they'd then drop me back at where I was and pick me up again later. This all fell apart, however, when I twisted my back getting out of the buggy, and ended up in extreme pain.

Having been medicated, and got myself in a position where I was more comfortable, the girls set off out without me. I did venture into the garden while they were gone, and was pleased to see the much-enlarged group of ducks that, for several years had been known as 'The Porthcressa Three' fly in and land on the water. These are Mallard-based domestic ducks that have become naturalised and spend much of their time on the sea at Porthcressa. Earlier in the year, I was pleased to see that they'd had young, and it seems that these young are staying with them. I only saw six in the goup on this occasion, but there was regularly a group of ten seen later in the week.

The Porthcresss Three plus Three - Littleporth

The girls came back about an hour later and told me of all the birders at Newford Ponds who were there looking for Pied Flycatcher. As I  was now only in pain, rather than agony, I set off for Newford Ponds in light rain. I got there to find just two birders present who were about to leave having seen nothing for about an hour. I stayed for around twenty minutes until the rain turned heavy and so set off back to base, having only seen Moorhen,  and very brief glimpses of two Goldcrest and a Chiffchaff.

 

Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) - Newford Ponds

Thus ended an extremely unproductive day, with nearly every birder I  met commenting on the lack of birds that day.

 

Bird-wise, the break had not got off to a very good start, and I was beginning to think I might have seen more if I had stayed in Cornwall! 

I still have photos to process, although we have been home for more than two weeks. However, for me it is a fact of life that, when the weather and light is unfavourable, many more photos are taken in the hope of being able to salvage some that are usable, and these take time to wade through and process, with more frames requiring exposure and colour-balance adjustment.

With luck and a following wind, I hope to be publishing Pt.2 of my account in just under a week's time. In the meantime, please take good care of yourselves and Nature.

Thank you for dropping by - - - Richard