Well what a few weeks it has been with Exams and a Field Trip, however I am now back in my flat with 1st year officially done and dusted and looking forward to starting my placement tonight. In the time since I last wrote my blog I have spent time at home visiting both Rainham Marshes and also both the Totteridge and Dollis Valleys, however I want to focus on the last week or so. This start with a post exam trip to Hengistbury Head on the 24th May. I knew that I needed to go out and de-stress so I decided the best thing to do would be to walk from the bus stop in Southbourne all the way down to the end of the Sandspit and back. The day started well, as soon as I reached the coast path a flock of Med Gulls flew past heading East. Sand Martins were also about and squabbling over mates and nesting holes, while Sandwich Tern fed offshore in one large flock. Above: Adult Med Gull Below: Sand Martins Continuing along the dunes and they were actually quite quiet with very few Whitethroat actually deciding to show themselves. The Stonechat on the other hand were obliging to say the least and sat out in the open for all to see. Above: Pair of Stonechat Above: Male Stonechat Below: Female Stonechat Walking along the top of the headland with Rock Pipit and Sand Martins whizzing around me as I went along the headland. I paused briefly to count the Swan in the Harbour and the count has now reached a staggering 195 individuals. The Ponds up on the headland are also now full of Natterjack Toad Tadpoles and a rather late Willow Warbler is still singing from the woodland hoping to attract a mate. Above: Natterjack Tadpoles Next I headed along to the Sandspit where at first it looked as though it would be quite dull. However I picked up several Gannet fishing out in the Solent along with the regular Cormorants and Sandwich Tern. A Flock of Waders then flew past and kept circling the beach near where I was. It was a flock which consisted of 18 Summer Plumaged Dunlin and 2 Sanderling were mixed in. These are presumably high arctic breeders awaiting for the thaw further north before attempting to head up and breed. Further along the headland once the Dunlin flock had disappeared there was another flock of 8 Sanderling together with a mix of plumages. These birders were for some reason particularly tame and were running up and down the beach ignore both me and someone's dogs to continue to find their food in the sand. Above: Summer Plumaged Dunlin and a Sanderling Below: Sanderling I then decided to call it a day and just before I left I was treated to hearing not one but 2 Cuckoos singing and hoping to attract a mate, as well as a stunning display from the local House Martins and Swifts over the roof tops whilst waiting for the bus to head for home. On Monday I headed up to uni with my bags packed ready for a 5 day field trip to the Isle of Purbeck. I have to admit that none of us knew what to expect, but spending 5 days does have its advantages especially if you are into bird watching. We arrived at Norden Park and Ride at just after 10am and we were immediately surrounded by Swallows and House Sparrows as we got off the bus. Blackcap and Chiffchaff were singing from the bushes around the car park and Greenfinch and Linnet flew overhead along with an interesting bird which I am still not really convinced about. It sounded somewhere halfway between a Bunting and a Finch, but then again I was trying to listen to the lecturers at the time so it could have been anything unfortunately. Our first Survey that we carried out was in an improved grassland. While we were here a few Buzzards were in the air along with 6 species of Corvid (Jay, Rook, Raven, Crow, Jackdaw, Magpie), and a Female Peregrine graced us with her presence briefly. Black-headed Gulls were quite numerous and there were also quite a few Swift about. We then moved on into the ancient woodland that bordered the field and found Green Woodpeckers, Goldcrests, Chaffinch, and some Thrushes, but nothing else particularly of interest. We surveyed another few Grasslands and Meadows finding 3 Species of Buttercup in the process with Bulbus, Meadow, and Creeping all being found. A 7-spot Ladybird was also a nice find by one of my friends. Above: 7-spot Ladybird We then headed down to a Myer where House Martin and Swift were hawking insects, and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen well by all in the trees behind. We also learnt how the Myers would have been used to feed livestock in the past by allowing them to feed on the Purple Moor Grass, however since grazing has ceased they are now being lost in succession to woodland full of Willow. Next up was the Dry Heathland bordering the Myer. This was dominated by both Ling and some Bell Heather. Although we didn't see a lot a Lesser Whitethroat could be heard in the distance along with Meadow Pipit and Linnet. We then carried on through the ancient farmland finding a Collared Dove in one of the paddocks and in the end choosing to rest in the sun on a hill overlooking Corfe Castle. While having lunch Meadow Grasshoppers could be seen everywhere along with Holly Blue, Small White, and Common Blue Butterflies. A Hobby was hawking insects over head and a Kestrel was seen off by one of the local Ravens. Above: Meadow Grasshopper After lunch we headed out to continue to do our surveys heading down into the meadows in the valley adding a Brown Argus Butterfly to the trip list. The final meadow was the best one in terms of species of Plants, Butterflies, and the first Dragonfly's of the trips. The field was full of Southern Marsh Orchids as well as Ragged Robin which are both good indicators of unimproved meadows. Some newly emerged Scarce Chasers were sunning themselves on the nearby bushes and Common Blue and Orange-tip Butterflies were seen fluttering around the meadow. There were still plenty of Meadow Grasshoppers around as well and just gently pushing through the grass resulted in hundreds of them jumping off in all directions. Bird wise though it was a little quiet with only a Chiffchaff singing from a large Oak for company. Above: Southern Marsh Orchid Below: Common Blue Butterfly Above: Meadow Grasshopper Below: Scarce Chaser Above: Southern Marsh Orchid with a Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Photo taken by Thea Romer Sonne) Below: Picture of a Dandelion and a beetle sp. (Photo by Georgia Vincent) Once we had surveyed this field we headed to the coach in order to get to the place we were staying in time for dinner. After dinner the majority of us had fallen asleep before 8pm as we looked forward to what the rest of the week had in store. Tuesday morning came rather to quickly for my liking and I was woken up at 6am by the sound of Rooks begging for food outside the open window. Showers and Breakfast was had before we headed out and onto the coach for a 9am start. Today was the day I had been looking forward to the most. It was to be my first long over due visit to Durleston in order to look at Birds and Butterflies. My group set off in search of Birds first which and to be honest they were lucky to have me as I helped to point out some of the local species. The first field we stopped in I was already distracted when a pair of Bullfinch flew over our heads calling and landed in a nearby tree. Chiffchaff and Blackcap were singing from the nearby coppice while House Martin, Swallow, and Swift were hawking insects low over our heads. A smart Male Greenfinch was sat on a nearby bush while Crows, and Jackdaws flew over head. Then all of a sudden a Peregrine appeared and shot right over the field in all of our eye line while the lecturer carried on talking oblivious to the oooos and aaahhs of the students. We then carried on and stopped over looking the sea and so I decided to take a chance to have a quick look at what was out on the water. Too my surprise I picked up quite a few Guillemot heading East along the coast as well as the odd Razorbill mixed in. A Fulmar also moved through which was a nice addition to the trip list. We then ventured further finding a few Whitethroat still performing song flights in the hedgerows while a few Linnet also appeared. The fields were now also full of Skylark and the odd Meadow Pipit as well as a lone Sika Deer. Butterflies were also everywhere with Small Heath, Common Blue, Brown Argus, and my first ever Small Blues encountered. An early Meadow Brown was also on the wing as well which was somewhat unexpected. Above: Small Heath Below: Small Blue Above: Skylark (Photo taken by Thea Romer Sonne) Below: Caterpillar (Photo taken by Thea Romer Sonne) After lunch we headed back out onto the cliffs and this time in search of more Butterflies and also a chance to do some survey work looking for Butterfly eggs. While doing this survey we found some more Butterflies of which 3 were lifers for me. The new species included some Adonis Bues, Dingy Skippers, a Lulworth Skipper. We also saw some Speckled Wood as well as a Wall Brown and plenty of Common and Small Blues. Offshore Sandwich Tern and Gannet could be seen and a Lesser Whitethroat sang from a nearby bush. We Were looking for Small Blue Eggs. Small blue are a Monophagous species meaning in this case that the larva species specialise on one food pant in this case Kidney Vetch. The Adonis Blue is also Monophagous using Horseshoe Vetch and to some extent the Common Blue is as well as their preferred plant is Birdsfoot Trefoil. Above: Probably a female Common Blue Below: Probably a very worn Adonis Blue Above: Dingy Skipper Below: Probably an early Lulworth Skipper given the size compared to a Dingy Skipper. After this we then headed back to the coach and just in time as a heavy squall moved through the area. We then headed back to the place we were staying for dinner. After dinner we were given a talk on the legislations behind SSSI's which was actually quite interesting, but also worrying that there are so many lope holes in the way the laws are put in place. At around 8pm I decided to head out with some of my friends down to Dancing ledge as I knew that there was a good chance of adding something onto my bird year list there. We headed down through the village until we reached the National Trust footpaths and headed through the meadows with Skylarks singing all around us and Swallows, House Martins, and Swifts zipping through over head trying to catch as many insects as possible before the sun went down. We then started the final decent towards The bottom of the cliff and a message from EE welcoming me to France was interesting given that I was still on British soil. Near the base of the cliff Rock Pipit were displaying and Swifts were abundant and flying through at head height. At times you could hear their wings beating as they passed through. A quick scan of the sea below in the fading light revealed a raft of Guillemot and Razorbill. Eventually I picked up the species we had come to see as a Puffin flew through. This was followed by several others and eventually I found 4 Puffins settled together on the sea. It was truly magical and with no one else around but us it was peaceful and relaxing and much needed after a days field work. The scenery was stunning as well in the fading light which helped. We didn't stay for long but just as we were leaving a Peregrine shot through heading East along the coast and a Bee-orchid was found under torch light. Above: The Essence of Puffins Above: Bee-orchid We started the long climb back up the steep hill and eventually we made it to the top. The night wasn't quite finished yet as earlier I had mentioned how I thought the landscape was perfect for a Barn Owl and sure enough at 2152 a Barn Owl flew right in front of us at the exact point at which I had mentioned it on the way up. We watched as its ghostly figure drifted across the field and then up and over a wall and then it vanished. We then headed through the village and an interesting bird was flying low over the roof tops which I managed to glimpse a few times. I wasn't convinced but it could well have been a Nightjar (More on those coming soon). We then headed back to the field centre and called it a night. The next morning I arose early again disturbed by the Rook family's outside the window. I wasn't best pleased when I noticed that there was a steady persistent drizzle that had set in over night for the day. After Breakfast we set out for RSPB Arne and spent the morning looking at the different habitats and the species living in them. This included insects, Birds, and Plants. The first woodland area we came too was full of life and bird wise was quite good with a Male Firecrest singing away in the bushes with what sounded like a group of fledge young, but unfortunately the youngsters stayed hidden. A Mistle Thrush was also about along with Singing Chiffchaff, Blackcap, and Goldcrest. We then continued along to the farmland where we picked up the first Green Woodpecker of the day feeding on Wood Ants. Swallows were also numerous hawking insects from the sky around the heard of Jersey Cows. We also found a Blue Tit nest with almost fully fledge young and with the parents attending it was hard not to watch as the gapping mouths of the chicks appeared every now and then peeping into the world for the 1st time. Above: Adult Blue Tit Below: Blue Tit Fledgling almost ready to fledge. Above: Fox Glove (Photo taken by Ethan Donovan) We then continued down to the Salt Marsh where a flock of Canada Geese fed alongside a few Mallard and Shelduck. Black-headed Gulls, Great Black-backed Gulls and Herring Gulls were about. 2 Curlew flew past and I picked up a flock of Oystercatcher on the opposite bank where a few Cormorant sat on the no fishing sign. Next up was the Dry Heathland at Shipstal. Here we moved into the middle of the heath and set about surveying the species. A Dartford Warbler started to sing from the right hand side and did the correct thing and perched in view for everyone to see right in front of us. Unfortunately my camera decided not to play ball and refused to work, but at least the group had managed to see one. This is actually the first time I have seen one in this part of the reserve, previously I had only seen them on Coombe Heath. Moving on we headed down to an area of Wet Heathland. Here we found a patch full of Southern Marsh Orchids. The first Siskin of the day flew over head and a Coal Tit family moved through the Scotts Pines. We also found a Dragonfly newly emerging however I can't decided whether it is a Hairy Dragonfly or an Emperor. Above: Southern Marsh Orchid Below: Emerging Dragonfly Sp After a quick stop at the hide adding Little Egret and Grey Heron to the trip list I decided to head back to the welcome hut and out onto Coombe Heath. Meadow Pipit and Stonechat were seen on a very quick visit to the heathland however the wind picked up and sent a nasty squall my way so I decided to retreat to the café and watch the actions on the bird feeders alongside my friends. Above: Greenfinch and Siskin Below: Siskin Above: Great Spotted Woodpecker After lunch we headed back to the centre in order to have a debrief and also too look at some microscopic pond life in the classroom. We found Flagella, Algae, Hydra, and Ciliates. The Hydra were interesting to see as they are effectively microscopic sea anemones. Dinner was had and then off to the pub for the footie which I have to admit from my point of view was dismal. The next morning a lie in was had as I had managed to sleep through my natural alarm clock and given my self an extra, much needed, hour in bed. Today we headed out to Kimmeridge Bay. We were heading there to look at how differences in the amount of exposure lead to the colonisation of different species. Areas that are sheltered contained Sea Weed, where as those that were exposed contained Barnacles and also plenty of Limpets. Kimmeridge Bay has the biggest variant in fetches in the UK. With some parts Sheltered by France, others by Portland and the centre of the bay if you were to head in a straight line heading South West you would reach Brazil. This is also a part of the Jurassic Coast and therefore there are plenty of Fossils around the bay to be found. The Rock Pools were also interesting and a mix of Fry and Gobies were found as well as Shrimps and Crabs. Rock Pipit were the most numerous species while Cormorants, Gannets, and Fulmars passed offshore. Above: Fossils Below: Limpets Above: Interesting Blue Seaweed Below: Fish We then headed back to the field centre in order to work on our Individual Projects. My group was looking into plant species diversity between 4 different sites and seeing if external factors had an affect on the species that were there. After dinner I decided that since it was such a nice day and there was still quite a lot of day light left we would give the Puffins another go. We decided to head out the back entrance of the field study centre to save time, however the footpath wasn't well labelled and we soon found our self lost in some random field in the middle of nowhere. Eventually after climbing over a few walls we found our way back to the main public footpath. Skylarks were singing all around us as Swallows, Swifts, and House Martins zipped past catching insects. Once we had finally reached Dancing Ledge the scenery was truly stunning with Guillemot and Razorbill forming large rafts below the cliffs. It wasn't long before I picked up the first Puffin which was soon followed by at least 3 more. Fulmars were much more noticeable with quite a gathering off the coast and there were also plenty of Gannet moving through. 5 Manx Shearwater in a tightly nit flock was a surprise and was quite unexpected. Otherwise I have to admit the Puffins stole the show again for me as they performed well and could even be heard calling. 4 Bee-orchids were also an add on land bonus and Swifts and Rock pipits were both numerous. Above: Puffin Below: Gannet Above: Swift Below: Fulmar Above and Below: Ethan Donovan's fabulous photo's of the Bee Orchid. Once the sun disappeared behind the cliff it was time to head back and reflect on what has been amazing trip. I have not only learnt so much about the wildlife but I have also been able to enjoy it with my friends as well. And so after 4 New Butterfly species, a new Dragonfly and 2 new species for my year list which now sits on 175. I will leave you with an image that Ethan took. Here's to first year. Above: Panorama's that Ethan Donovan took. (oh and yes that's me...) Here is a link to Ethan's Instagram account if you should wish to follow him:
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AuthorI have been a birder since I was 8 however only really started to be able to go out to places by myself in Summer 2016 (Blame the parents) My blogs will be from all over the place, but mainly from RSPB Rainham Marshes and Totteridge Valley! Photography done by Samuel Levy aged 18. ArchivesCategories |