Seaford Head 2/6/13

Well, back to normal this morning which was a shame after yesterdays small influx of Flycatchers. Most had departed and what I'm sure are stragglers were left remaining. A few juvenile birds were nice to see, with what must have been a challenging time for them in the previous few weeks/months.

Totals are:
Spotted Flycatcher - 2
Common Scoter - 35 (flock on sea)

juv Meadow Pipit on Seaford Head

Seaford Head 1/6/13

I'd never have thought that the 1st of June would have been one of the best spring days, but today this was the case with seeing 2% the number of Spotted Flycatchers seen at Portland on the Head (a good total for us), and small numbers of the more commoner migrants.

A good amount of time was spent at Harry's Bush but 4 hrs on the head produced:

Pied Flycatcher - 1 - a very tatty female checked very carefully!!
Spotted Flycatcher - 18
Reed Warbler - 1
Willow Warbler - 1
Hobby - 1
House Martin - 20
Swallow - 40

 poor record of the Pied Flycatcher

 Spotted Flycatcher - another rubbish pic

Hobby

Hartslock Reserve, Oxon 30/5/13

The final new Orchid of the few days out and about. Besides from the Monkey Orchids and Lady Orchids, were these lovely hybrid Monkey/Lady Orchids. They were very interesting, having the same length stem and flower colouration, but with 'Monkey' shapes, and were also the most numerous species present.White Helleborines were also in flower.

This is yet another known about site and publicised also.

 hybrid Monkey/Lady Orchid

 Monkey Orchid

 Lady Orchid

hybrid & pure Lady Orchid

Homefield Wood, Bucks 30/5/13

Another new Orchid and a much wanted one as well. These Military Orchids were fantastic and well worth the effort. Also, Fly Orchids were in abundance, another favourite of mine. This site is well known and publicised.

 Military Orchid

Fly Orchid

Chappetts Copse, Hants 28/5/13

A new site for me, and also a new Orchid species as well. It was the brilliant looking Sword-leaved Helleborine. They were in their hundreds in some places, with many Birds Nest Orchids alongside them.

 Sword-leaved Helleborine

 Birds Nest Orchid

Seaford Head & Frog Firle 27/5/13

Walked the patch this morning but nothing much was noted except from a colony of Green-winged Orchids I never knew existed up there. After I had warmed up I did a Butterfly count with Dad along Frog Firle.

Seaford Head:
Spotted Flycatcher - 4
Willow Warbler - 1
Green-winged Orchid - 50

Frog Firle:
Red Kite - 1
Wall Brown - 10
Green Hairstreak - 15
Brown Argus - 5
Grizzled Skipper - 5
Orange-tip - 2
Dingy Skipper - 50

 Green-winged Orchid

Green Hairstreak

Seaford Head 26/5/13

A late morning walk on the Head didn't produce much as expected. The early morning influx of 10 Spotted Flycatchers seen by Bob had obviously moved on, but there was a lovely male Whinchat and a Hobby over.

Whinchat on Seaford Head