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| Sand Martin, Riparia riparia |
On
Thursday I did a butterfly survey for Arundel WWT as part of their bioblitz: Green-veined White 1, Meadow Brown 10, Red Admiral 2,
Small White 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Speckled Wood 14, Clouded
Yellow 1, Common Blue 8. There were several dragonflies and a damselfly. A Common Sandpiper walked in front of the Sand Martin hide.
I also received my new moccasins in the post. The old ones finally gave up after
decades of comfy service. I found the website for this Lake District company and am delighted with the new ones: www.amblesidesheepskins.co.uk
On Friday morning I received the
news that I had prostate cancer (see earlier
blog). After lunch I visited Arundel WWT for photography therapy. I was
advised that Sand Martins had been visiting the Sand Martin hide in the
mornings, sometimes perching on the branches set up in front of the speaker.
The speaker broadcasts chick noises which may encourage them to visit the
ready-made tunnel nests next year. The old birds and this year’s young are gathering
to migrate to warmer climes (I don’t blame them). I decided to return at opening
time to try and get some photos.
I managed to get some photos of them on
Saturday morning. A pair of Common Sandpipers appeared. A Kingfisher flew around the lake several times and perched right in front of the hide at one point. Unfortunately it was in total shade!
On Sunday I found a 1901 penny and a 1921 halfpenny during a club dig. In the afternoon we visited Arundel WWT and Sue was able to walk to the hide, a great improvement six months after her second knee replacement. She keeps talking about climbing a mountain...
Thursday:
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| old and new |
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| old female Black-tailed Skimmer, Orthetrum cancellatum |
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| male Black-tailed Skimmer, Orthetrum cancellatum |
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| Blue-tailed Damselfly, Ischnura elegans |
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| Clouded Yellow, Colias croceus |
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| Common Darter, female, Sympetrum striolatum |
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| Common Evening-Primrose, Oenorthera biennis |
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| Common Sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos |
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Corn Mint, Mentha arvensis or
Whorled Mint (Mentha arvensis x aquatica = M. x verticillata) |
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| Dock Leaf, Rumex obtusifolius |
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| Purple Loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria |
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| Small Tortoiseshell, Aglais urticae |
Friday's therapy session:
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| view from Sand Martin hide |
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| Little Egret, Egretta garzetta |
Saturday:
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| Common Sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos |
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| pair of Common Sandpipers, Actitis hypoleucos |
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| Kingfisher, Alcedo atthis |
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| Sand Martin, Riparia riparia |
Sunday afternoon:
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| Little Egret, Egretta garzetta |
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| Mute Swan, Cygnus olor |
