Crook Peak and Wavering Down

As we started our walk at the bottom of the peak and walked through the small wooded area we were greeted by the sight and sound of Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Blackbirds, Great Tits and the surprise of the day the sound of a reeling Grasshopper Warbler.  We tried very hard to find the warbler but just couldn't find it in the thick scrub.   Gale force winds and thick grey skies accompanied us up the steep slope to the top of the peak.  The strength of the wind almost had us bent double as we continued  up the path, very nearly decided to go somewhere else. No sign of any Wheatears or Ouzels on the way up but we did catch a glimpse of a Dartford Warbler. As we trekked onwards towards the trig point and beyond the wind eased a little and gradually the cloud broke up to give us some sun.

Plenty of Stonechats, Linnets and Meadow Pipits plus a Redstart, Kestrel, Buzzard & Ravens along Wavering down.  Several Swallows were also passing overhead.

Plenty of sun now joined us as we walked into Kingswood which is now a beautiful carpet of Bluebells and Ramsons plus a few Early Purple Orchids here and there.  You just can't beat the sight and sounds of a wood in early Spring, magic! 

As we returned to Crook Peak we were this time successful in locating some Wheatears at least 4 of them. Lovely sharp colours on these returning migrants, beautiful little birds. In the same rocky short grass area were several more Early Purple Orchids, their colour really standing out against the limestone rocks.  We spent some time watching the Wheatears and looking at the Orchids.

Back to where we started and the 'butterfly area' was now in full sun. So pleased to find several Grizzled Skippers, Orange Tip, Brimstone, and Peacock.  

Another 'topper' day out on the hills! 

    Distant view of Dartford Warbler! 

              

                 Linnet from the Hawthorn 

   Male Linnet singing his heart out!

               

                   Bee-fly on Ramsons

               

                    Kingswood bluebells - a woodland carpet

   Springtime stars Ramsons and Bluebells

                

                                                     

                

   The sweet fragrance from the bluebells is intoxicating!

                

                    

Early purple Orchids, all shades of purple appearing now 

                                                            

                

   Oil Beetle 

                

                   The Wheatear, so pleased to see the return of this beautiful migrant.

               

                         

      More Early Purple Orchids found growing around the rocks around Crook Peak

                                                                               

     

                                                

     

           

              Grizzled Skipper, the first of the year and several out in the sun

   Sun posing Grizzled

Mendip Walk 11th April, Wheatear, Plover

A brilliant 9.5 mile walk across the Mendips. Our walk took us from Tynings farm up to the trig point on Beacon Batch, on to Charterhouse, Ubley Warren, Velvet Bottom, the top of Cheddar Gorge and back to Tynings. A cool day with sunny spells.

Very good numbers of Meadow Pipits, Stonechats and Skylarks on Blackdown. In the nearby fields we had our first view of Mendip Wheatears with about 7 together with some lovely summer plumage Golden Plover.  Both Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler were singing everywhere.

No sign of any Adders at Charterhouse but we did get a nice view of a Common Lizard soaking up the sun. Ravens were busy calling as usual as we walked through Velvet Bottom but alas no sign of a Redstart yet. 

Both the Orchids and Bluebells in Long Wood are still yet to unfold, I guess because it's that bit

cooler on the Mendips. Give it a couple of weeks and Long Wood will be a carpet of blue! 

Stunning views across the Mendips are another bonus to this trek as well as the flora and fauna. Can't wait to do it all again when the bluebells are fully out.

   Meadow Pipit on Blackdown, plenty nesting here

                

                   Stonechat another success of the Mendips

  Golden Plover in summer plumage 

                

                   We saw 6 Plovers in the same field as the Wheatears

   Beautiful Northern Wheatear

                

                   Ubley Warren

          

                

                   Typical Mendip view 

  Common Lizard grabbing a sunny spot

               

    Velvet Bottom

              

   Toothwort - a very good year for this plant, we are finding it everywhere 

                               

                                   Early Purple Orchid                                                          

   Looking across Cheddar Gorge

               

                   Cheddar Reservoir 

   Linnet

                

                  House Sparrow

Weymouth and Portland 27/9/16 - Wryneck and Godwits etc

Our first visit to the Portland area which saw us leave Somerset at 7:30 am. We arrived at just before 10 am and we're delighted to see Bar tailed Godwits, Turnstone and a gathering of Great black backed Gulls on the sand - unfortunately the tide was on the way out! After a stop for coffee we drove onto Portland Bill. Great sightings here of several Wheatears &  Gannets. A walk across to the quarry where a few birders were gathered revealed a Wryneck sitting in a tree. Our view only lasted about 5 minutes but wow what a bird! 

Back at Ferrybridge we had more great views of Bar tailed Godwits, a single Grey Plover, Dunlin, Turnstones, Oystercatchers and a Peregrine fly by! 

We returned to Portland a couple of days later stopping first at Lodmoor. At Lodmoor there were both Bar tailed and Black tailed Godwits, hundreds of Canada Geese, Snipe, Lapwings, Redshank, Dunlin. We didn't see the Wryneck again but we did however have some great views of a couple of Little Owls, Kestrel, Whitethroat, Blackcap and Stonechat.

A wonderful area which we will have to explore more and definitely return to.

    Bar tailed Godwits at Ferrybridge

               

                

                   Grey Plover - only one seen

   Dunlin at Ferrybridge

                

                   Ringed Plover and Bar tailed Godwit

  Ringed Plovers

                

                   Turnstone - several seen turning over stones amongst the seaweed

   Great black backed Gulls

               

                  Wheatears - several gathering at Portland before their journey south

    Wheatear

              

                  Bon voyage smart fellow!

    Several Gannet families came fairly close to the lighthouse at the Bill

              

                 Gannets over stormy seas

   Wryneck - subtle shades and tones and master of disguise

               

   Wryneck

               

                  Little Grebe at RSPB Lodmoor

   Great views of Bar tailed Godwits at Lodmoor

                

                   Lapwing

    Little Owl - one of two seen in the quarry area at Portland

               

   The second Owl