Paul's Birding Diary

Monday 20th - Tuesday 21st August 2012 Wood Sandpiper A good morning at Slimbridge yesterday began with a walk down the canal towpath before the trust opened where a juvenile Cuckoo flew across the canal and perched on wires on the other side, just north of Slimbridge Bridge. In one of the roadside fields, 72 Greylag Geese were congregated. At WWT a first-winter Arctic Tern was off the Dumbles edge at high tide. I moved on to Zeiss Hide to find a Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank , a Turnstone , 28 Dunlin , 16 Ringed Plover , a Sanderling and two Ruff among the waders on the Top New Piece. Greenshank, left, and Spotted Redshank, right, on the Top New Piece This morning, two large hoverflies Volucella Zonaria were on the garden mint, the first of the year. Other recent hoverflies include garden first Helophilus hybridus . Volucella Zonaria Volucella Zonaria Helophilus hybridus Back at WWT this afternoon, I watched a juvenile Marsh Harrier from the Holden Towe...

Saturday 11th August 2012 Migrant Hawker This Migrant Hawker was in the garden on Saturday, and a Brown Hawker also flew over the garden. I saw another Brown Hawker at the NT's Coughton Court, Warwickshire, in the afternoon in addition to a Beautiful Demoiselle and numerous Banded Demoiselles . Banded Demoiselle

Sunday 5th August 2012 Dark Green Fritillary A period of warm sunshine on Rodborough Common this morning was enough to bring out the butterflies, including at least Chalkhill Blues and a Dark Green Fritillary .Also at least 40 Six Spot Burnets and a Silver 'Y' moth. Chalkhill Blue Another Chalkhill Blue Chalkhill Blue - under-wing shot on Greater Knapweed Greater Knapweed Six Spot Burnet on Small Scabious