Paul's Birding Diary

Sunday 18th August 2013
Linda and I stopped off at Exmouth yesterdayin between A La Ronde and Otterton, and my eye was drawn to the quite abundant Sea Holly on the area behind the car park, and also on the dunes across the road. I decided to put some money in the meter and explore further. The area running behind the roadside parking is The Maer, a Local Nature Reserve, as an interpretation board explains. Besides the Sea Holly I also noted Restharrow and Lucerne. I began thinking this looked an ideal place for a certain butterfly. On walking back though after a cuppa, sure enough I spotted a Clouded Yellow dashing by. It soon alighted to nectar on some nearby Lucerne. I then saw another and possibly a third.

Thursday 8th August - Saturday 10th August 2013
A couple of nights camping with Mr M. senior was very enjoyable, with great weather. There were several highlights including: 17 Graylings on Portland at West Cliff, also masses of Chalkhill Blues; at least one Balearic Shearwater off the Bill in a short watch; Mediterranean Gulls at Radipole Lake, Lodmoor and Ferrybridge; also at Radipole two Bearded Tits and a Jersey Tiger; two Wheatears, a Little Egret, a Brown Hare and 20 Wall browns by The Fleet, just below the campsite; Lulworth Skippers at Durdle Dor; and being Dorset, beautiful coastal scenery.

Wednesday 7th August 2013
I found a female Black Darter in the Forest of Dean this afternoon; I believe this to be a sensitive site no no specifics unless advised otherwise. Anyway, here are a few photos.

Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th August 2013
I spent much of the day Saturday at WWT Slimbridge, including going on the morning safari. The Spoonbill was on South Lake, asleep on a post, and was still there a few hours later when I checked after the safari. It awoke for just a couple of fleeting moment. Also on South Lake two female Ruffs, a Green Sandpiper and a Dunlin in addition to the Redshanks, Black-tailed Godwits etc. A Wood Sandpiper was on the Rushy along with four Green Sandpipers, an Oystercatcher and a juvenile Redshank. On the Tack Piece, another Green Sandpiper and two GCP Common Cranes. Fairly quiet bird-wise on the safari, though it was nice to see the 100-acre again after access via Green Lane had been stopped; apparently an announcement about access once again being available is imminent. It was a bit breezy, so not too many dragons either, but we did see a Migrant Hawker, a Brown Hawker, an Emperor, Common Darter and Common Blue Damselfly. Back in the grounds I saw my …