Paul's Birding Diary

Sunday 18th August 2013 Clouded Yellow, nectaring on Lucerne Linda and I stopped off at Exmouth yesterday in 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. The Maer, Exmouth Lucerne Restharrow Sea Holly, one of my favourite wild plants A striking plant with frosty pale green spiked leaves and lavender-blue flowers

Thursday 8th August - Saturday 10th August 2013 Grayling - a rare glimpse of the forewing markings 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. The usual Graying pose - basking on the stoney path; West Cliff, Portland Six-spot Burnet and Chalkhill Blue, West Cliff, Portland Grey Bush-cricket, Broadcroft Quarry, Portland The view over Fortuneswell towards Chesil Beach, from near The Heights Hotel, Portland Jersey Tiger, Radipole Lake Southern H...

Wednesday 7th August 2013 Black Darter - a mature female 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. Side view The three yellow spots on the black thoracic panel can be clearly seen in this view

Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th August 2013 Silver-spotted Skipper, Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon 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 , Comm...