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!

Entry	Pageviews
United Kingdom	787
United States	629
Poland	140
Germany	61
Estonia	39
Russia	34
France	26
Canada	23
China	19
Australia	13