A Sparrowhawk was using the heat rising off the M27 near junction 6 to gain height. Birdwise at Blashford just two Common Terns NfY, no hirundines and just Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps to represent summer migrant passerines. This ropey, 'through the tinted window' shot of a Brambling could easily be the last until next winter. Two grebes were parallel swimming and head shaking in tandem on Ivy Lake but no didn't perform a weed dance. Kingfishers still audibly active along Dockens Water. No obviously interesting bees (other than Honey and H-fFB) nor hovers and just a lot of Bibio spp (probably lanigerus) on yellow flowers.
The moth trap had mostly Quakers, Hebrew Characters and a tatty Oak Beauty - I couldn't find the Early Grey for a phot op - probably time to break out my own trap.
LRPs (3) were actively displaying, still four Goosanders, two kites (yet again heading south down the valley - this must be part of their daily routine!!) and probably 10-15 Buzzards but sadly no Little Gulls. Strangely, this was the first day for ages anywhere without Med Gulls providing part of the background soundscape.
Heading back across the forest a Red Fox dashed in front of the car and off into the gorse.
Back home the 4-6 hffbs were joined by the first Beefly of the year (with many other people on social media unsurprisingly recording their first today); a Red Admiral fluttered down the garden and a wandering Buzzard was soaring overhead.
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| Noisy Nuthatch |
