The last three weeks has seen the usual mix of spring weather with some warm and dry spells encouraging a few changes. First up were a few hovers, mostly E. balteatus, Eupeodes spp and Meliscaeva auricollis. After a few changeable days these were augmented by E. pertinax, tenax and Epistrophe eligans.
Little in the way of nectar bearing plants so just Blackthorn, Red Deadnettle and Dandelions to attract a few bees including A flavipes, A clarkella, Bombus lapidarius and the ubiquitous Hairy-foots and Buff-tails. The Microandrena above was the only other species. No sign yet of any other species yet.
On the butterfly front just two Brimstones and a couple of Peacocks dogfighting with up to three Commas. Hopefully, not long now until Whites, Speckled Wood and Holly Blue should appear - and Orange Tip within the next 3-4 weeks.
A single Chiffchaff arrived at the pond and was followed by a second in nearby gardens the next day. But still no Blackcaps!!
Sky watching produced just a few Buzzards over the patch and the garden and this kite above which was virtually invisible with the naked eye but was just 'doable ' with the macro lens!! Sadly, the IOW eagles have eluded me despite one, G408 a male, whose GPS track showed it cruised past behind the house at lunchtime on the 9th. Assuming flying at a reasonable height it would have been easily visible. Dammit! Later in the month it or another was over Eastney but pressed on back to the IOW.
Social media showed half a dozen in Hants and birds over the old Arun valley stomping ground in West Sussex. Another in East Sussex and one for Kent birders near Stodmarsh seemed to be non-IOW birds. Most only be a matter of time surely.
Elsewhere, despite being two new birds, the Chichester Peregrines are on their first egg as I write this, with D and J plus others still watching them regularly and the camera switched on for the rest of us 'house bounded'.
A fortnight tomorrow should see TH and Arundel WWT opening up in some fashion (assuming I'm able to drive that far) and hopefully the chance of a few more migrants.
And more importantly the chance of a big brunch fry-up!!
Oh, and finally managed to enter an Ebird complete list for the local patch, albeit a paltry 27 species.
