Devon and West Sussex 28/6/10

Drove for just under 5 hours today to East Prawle, Devon to see the House Finch. There is a chance it won't get accepted but i went down just in case. Quite a smart looking bird, unfortunately i obtained rubbish photos of it. It was very mobile and elusive and in an 1.5 hours i saw it twice for a duration of about 10 minutes.

House Finch at East Prawle
After this i went to Prawle Point and saw 4 male Cirl Buntings. Really smart looking birds and some in song, but again not very good photos.

Cirl Bunting at Prawle Point

On the way back to a West Sussex Common i stopped off at Duncton Hill and found 7 Bird's Nest Orchids. Some were no more than a few inches high, but others were very impressive reaching 40cm in height.

Bird's Nest Orchids at Duncton Hill

At the Common 7 Nightjars were seen, many wing clapping and a constant sound of churring. At one time i checked my phone for the time, and one flew around me for 30 seconds, obviously intrigued by the light. An amazing night. Also 3 roding Woodcocks, a family of Tawny Owls and a Woodlark singing in the distance.

On the way home a Tawny Owl flew out in front of the car.

Burnt Orchids 27/6/10

24 Burnt Orchids along the Frog Firle valley this afternoon. Very low numbers of Pyramidal Orchids and double the number of Fragrant Orchids.

Dragonflies and Orchids 26/6/10

At an undisclosed site a Lesser Butterfly Orchid and 2 Heath Spotted Orchids were a good start to the day. The only other sighting of interest was a Four Spotted Chaser.

Lesser Butterfly and Heath Spotted Orchid at undisclosed location.

At another undisclosed site(not Beachy Head) a superb Lizard Orchid in full flower.

Lizard Orchid at undisclosed location.

Visited Ashdown Forest after these two sites to try for the Keeled Skimmers, but unfortunately no sign of these, however a Golden Ringed Dragonfly, Downy Emerald, Four Spotted Chaser and 7 Emperor Dragonflies were seen, including one oval depositing.

Others bits of note were 20 Heath Spotted Orchids, 2 Redstarts and a Tree Pipit.

Heath Spotted Orchids, Four Spotted Chaser and female Emperor Dragonfly at Ashdown Forest.

Another site on Ashdown Forest produced lots of Black-tailed Skimmers, Broad Bodied Chasers, a Silver Studded Blue, 2 Dark Green Fritillaries, 4 Lesser Redpoll and 2 Grass Snakes.

Black-tailed Skimmer at Ashdown Forest.

On the way back home i decided to stop just south of Arlington in the hope of seeing a White-legged Damselfly. I did manage to find one male clinging on to a nettle, but that was it. Also 4 Scarce Chasers were patrolling the river.

White-legged Damselfly just south of Arlington.

Ferring Rife 22/6/10

Early Marsh Orchids at Ferring Rife this afternoon. Some spikes reaching 60cm+ with ease. Also many hybrids with Common Spotted Orchids.

Beachy Head 21/6/10

Between Birling Gap and Chat Vale a Hobby showed well hawking for insects over Horseshoe Plantation.

Orchids comprised of 1 Lizard, many Bee and Common Spotted and Pyramidals are also making an appearance.

Butterflies comprised of 3 Dark Green Fritiallaries, Small Copper, Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshells and a Large Skipper.

The only Dragonfly of note was a male Black-tailed Skimmer.

Bee and Lizards Orchids at Beachy Head

RED-FOOTED FALCON 20/6/10

Red-footed Falcon in the Cuckmere today, a good patch tick for me. From my views i think it was a 2nd summer bird, although other comments whilst i was present were the bird being an adult and even a 1st winter, so who knows.

South Downs Way 19/6/10

Seven hours spent walking on the South Downs between Lewes and Clayton produced no Musk or Bee Orchids despite good habitat. However hundreds of Common Spotted Orchids, Fragrant Orchids and Common Twayblades kept me interested.

Only birds of note were Common Buzzards, and Butterflies included Small Tortoiseshells and 4 Dingy Skippers.

Fragrant and Common Spotted Orchids below Blackcap.

Eastbourne Downs 14/6/10

On the Eastbourne Downs above Eastbourne Golf Course i counted 8 Frog Orchids. Also plenty of Small Blues about.

Newtimber Hill 10/6/10

Counted 54 Great Butterfly Orchids, 9 Fly Orchids, 100+ Common Twayblades and a couple of emerging Common Spotted Orchids this morning on the Hill.

Friston Forest and Arlington 9/6/10

Counted 2516 White Helleborines in Friston Forest this morning. Alongside were Broad Leaved Helleborines, but still another month until these are in flower. Not much else of note apart from singing Blackcaps and Garden Warblers.

Broad Leaved Helleborine and White Helleborine at Friston Forest

South of Arlington were 11 Southern Marsh Orchids alongside a single Common Spotted Orchid. Also 6 Scarce Chasers, 1 Emperor Dragonfly and many Banded Damoiselles. The only bird of note was a Cuckoo.

Southern Marsh Orchid south of Arlington.

Marmora's Wblr and Fudge Duck 7/6/10

Finally managed to catch up with the Marmora's Warbler in Gwent, Wales today. Although we had to wait a while for it to appear it eventually showed well, often in full song on a Bracken. Supporting cast were Whinchats, Tree Pipits and a bunch of muppets frantically looking for Cuckoos!!! I think i would rather see the Marmora's.

On our return journey we stopped into Chew Valley Lake and after scanning the edges of a small lake for 45 minutes some dude found the Ferruginous Duck sleeping in the centre of the lake, which had probably been there all the time we were present, now who are the muppets!!! Also my first Kingfisher for a few months zoomed past which was lovely to see.

All in all a great days birding with brilliant company along the way, and 2 Lifers.

Norfolk Trip 2/6/10

Photos of the male Trumpeter Finch and male Red-backed Shrike taken at Cley, Norfolk and Red-footed Falcon at Ouse Fen, Cambs.