Saturday 7 December 2013

Same Old Story - Rory Gallagher

Working on the old adage that "ordered fish are never caught", it was little surprise that the first 2 Moth Traps tended produced 'zilch'! On the other hand "faint heart never found fair lady", so the single December Moth perched on the top egg tray of the final trap brought some hope. Rapidly fading as the last tray was removed, there at the bottom of the container was
 this slightly worn and unfamiliar Insect immediately compared to the
Field Guide and found to be a
YELLOW-LINE QUAKER
our 200th Macro Moth of this shortened season - YES!
The best kind of start to the day which from there on in was adequately described by the Gallagher title. A wander down to
coincided with a 25% waxing crescent moon, just off the top of a 
Spring Tide, most of the area was flooded
and at one point 'almost' inaccessible. Continuing with what as kids we would describe as a 'booter' I squelched my way across to the Priory Marsh in the hope of a Water Pipit. Chances of that soon faded but the somewhat strange sight of this
cock PHEASANT, almost in the middle of the Water Plain, was welcome.
CURLEW
abound here so very much expected at fairly close quarters
as were some of the BRENT GEESE feeding on the lush grass.
All across the marsh there were small pockets of birds such as these with chance of being screened by the Gorse while getting a little closer.
BLACK-TAILED GODWIT
were 'bird of the day' and thought worthy of a little more exposure here.
in this short 'feeding sequence'.
A lovely pose when they lift their heads and extend necks
in a swallowing motion.
TEAL (male) were well represented but outnumbered by both
WIGEON and BRENT GEESE.
A close encounter with this LAPWING
highlighted the extensive surface area of this Wader's wings.
REDSHANK
GREY PLOVER
and the
CORMORANT/
GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL
roost on the shingle bar overlooking Mudeford Quay.
REDSHANK and GREY PLOVER
and as the latter got closer
the moment was not to be lost!
STONECHAT on HOLLY
was the male of a pair of 'hunting' birds there this morning,
while the tide had forced the likes of
RINGED PLOVER
and DUNLIN well up onto the grassland.
OK, nothing exceptional but the beauty of even the most common bird is a bonus to me. ENJOY!
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