After an uneventful two and a
quarter hours on the train I arrived at Havant in Hampshire to be met by
my dear friend Tess Lifton. A short drive to her and Paul's home in
Emsworth where after a light lunch there was a choice of things to do.
It
was a case of either staying at home and help my Winger grass cutting,
digging, hedge trimming and generally knocking my pan in or
accompanying Tess with her monthly 'Butterfly Survey' wandering the West
Sussex countryside in about the best sunshine we have seen in weeks. It
was a 'close call' but I eventually opted for the later and headed off
with her to Church Norton. In the field for about 2 hours there were few to be seen, but most prolific at
c10 were GATEKEEPER followed by Meadow Brown and Red Admiral.
a single HOLLY BLUE,
a
couple of SMALL SKIPPERs and on the Moth front Silver Y along with The
Magpie. With the designated part of the tetrad covered we decided to try
for a few birds so headed for
There we found a small flock of Black-tailed Godwit, c5 Common Sandpiper, loads of Lapwing, Redshank and Dunlin
During
the walk back to Church Norton there were masses of FOXGLOVEs with good
numbers of Curlew, c2 Whimbrel and Oystercatchers. The plan tomorrow is
to undertake a mini bird race, so here's hoping the weather is as good
or better than today.
