A couple of Little Gulls had been on Titchfield's south scrape for a few days so yesterday I popped over for a look. A coffee in the company of a charming local couple who are, like most of us, are hoping for a new cafe onsite was the start to the day, although the gulls were quickly year-ticked from the raised veranda, prior to a drink, just in case they disappeared. I shouldn't have worried because they performed all morning until I left at least. The second calendar year bird was more obliging, at least with my short lens.
Three Blackcaps on the east side, all singing males, and twelve reasonably close Eiders were the best of the rest. Med Gulls amounted to thirty or so on site but plenty more overflying so I birdtracked a minimum of fifty.
Insects were pretty much absent.
Today, near home, two broods of Mallards (two and six) were the first of the year and this heron above, one of two, was stalking for prey - maybe not the best place to be a baby duckling!!
Butterflies were limited to singles of Peacock (tatty), Speckled Wood (flighty) and this Comma, above, sheltering from the wind. Seven-spot Ladybirds were the most obvious insects along with the usual stuff and these two Beeflies were obliging.
