We set off about 7.30 and found the site without too much trouble, there are signs for the car park the RSPB have set up in agreement with a nearby farmer. All very well organised I thought. Crossing the road it's short walk along a bridleway by the quarry to the viewing point. There were already quite a few people there when we arrived and the birds hadn't been seen for about 10 minutes or so. But not to worry they soon appeared.
No mistaking the colouring on the wings as one flew across my field of view and onto the branches they are using as their perch. Two birds at first but another two soon followed. They were beyond my lens for photos but I snapped a couple anyway, you can just about tell what the blurry dots are!
We watched them eat bees and butterflies through the scope, beautiful stunning birds and a joy to watch. We stayed around half an hour and enjoyed every minute. Though I got the sense my daughter got a little bored after about ten minutes when the phone came out........
The quarry itself is a perfect spot, several pools and lots of Butterflies, Damselflies, Bees and bugs around, the sun had brought everything out. We also saw Swifts, Sand Martins, Little Ringed Plover, Grey Wagtail, Tufted Duck, Lapwing and Goldfinch.
Gatekeeper
Common Blue Damsel Fly?
Small Skipper?
Burnet Moth
Edit - Green-veined White
Well worth the trip!
I might have seen you there. I came up from London + it was a great twitch- beautiful birds.
ReplyDeleteUnlikely to see an Orange Tip in July. The one you posted is a Green-veined White from the extent of black.
You may well have done, we were the ones with the pre-teen who panicked every time a butterfly went near her!! It was, I was really pleased we went.
DeleteAh thank you yes, it was the spots that threw me, I didn't think about the time of year!
What a wonderful bird to see and they were still there,sounds like a great place to visit as well with all the Butterflies and insects.
ReplyDeleteTwitter has its uses. I found a little nature reserve at Saltair I didn't know about , Hurst Wood just of the canal.
Went on Saturday well worth a visit. Blog post to come.
Amanda xx
It was lovely! Ah yes i've seen that mentioned, I think I might follow their twitter! Looking forward to reading the post :) x
DeleteMust have been a wonderful wonderful day out Pam. As mentioned previously hopefully, going to try and visit myself if they stay a little longer. Good to read of all the butterflies too. Must admit I love Twitter - you can find out such useful information and it is lovely to talk to blogger friends on there. So far have managed to avoid joining Facebook though!!
ReplyDeleteA great day, another post to come about it yet! Good luck with seeing them yourself :) I love Twitter too but I do have Facebook, it's good for keeping up with overseas family but I don't use it often to post!
DeleteI really wanted to see the bee eaters too! They're not that far from me but I was too busy at the house to go and see them... I'm hoping they hang around for a while and I might get chance!
ReplyDeleteI saw them on Twitter too - I joined Twitter for that reason and there are so many events and such I've heard of only through Twitter - how did we manage before?!
They look pretty settled so fingers crossed you can! Funny how Twitter has become so part of our lives!!
DeleteWow! What a treat that must have been to see those Bee Eaters! The butterflies were a good bonus!
ReplyDeleteThey are beautiful birds and to have the butterflies too, definitely a bonus!
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