Yesterday, a visit to Pulborough, the first in 304 days and where, needless to say in response to Covid, many changes. Habitat-wise the work at Westmead to keep the area wet and attractive to waders has paid dividends with Ruff (5), Greenshank (2), Green Sandpiper (2) and a single Snipe and with a distant cream-crown Marsh Harrier plus a couple of Kestrels and a male Stonechat. On the North Brooks a lack of telescope prevented grilling the wildfowl and ensured the Yellow Wagtails feeding around the cattle remained unseen.
A number of Buzzards, one being mobbed by a Sparrowhawk were joined by two super-fast Hobbies plucking dragonflies out of the air and a probable Peregrine which vanished too quickly. A few Black'wits were the only identifiable waders with just 6.5x Papillos to hand. Other earlier (and sharper!) birders had Wheatear, Whinchat, Redstart and both flycatchers. A Tree Pipit called overhead during lunch and a second male Stonechat was on view.
A trio of Red Admirals (above) - out of a dozen or more commuting between this fence and nearby Buddleia and joined by a single Painted Lady.
Today, back to a short local walk in what seems to be normal weather - yet again grey and overcast and not conducive to finding insects. Three Mallard ducklings are still surviving, 'piping' along after mum. Precious few hovers with just this female Dasisyrphus albiostratus of note.
