tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36335315688274882122024-03-18T16:13:32.427+00:00Bob's Butterfly and Bird BlogBob Eade.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15087975886344058082noreply@blogger.comBlogger934125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633531568827488212.post-38834907657750428332024-03-18T16:12:00.000+00:002024-03-18T16:12:59.648+00:00Elmley Visits.<p style="text-align: center;"> So far this year I have managed to get to Elmley Nature Reserve twice. Once in January, with David, and then a couple of weeks ago with Lisa.</p><p style="text-align: center;">The visit with David was on a very cold day. Unbeknown to us at the time, there were massive delays on the road that day just south of Emley at the junction with the M2. This is ongoing major roadworks which were causing delays of traffic going north of well over an hour. The satnav did know and was sending us down lots of single lane roads, which on that particular day were also very icy. We passed one van that had slid off into a ditch and also saw a coming together of a couple of cars. At one point when a car was coming towards us I just touched the brakes and slid some distance heading straight for the other car. Fortunately, the car did stop in time as well as keeping in a straight line. It nearly turned into a very expensive day.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Anyway, eventually we did arrive and had a pretty good day at the reserve, despite not getting any particularly good pictures. We did see a rather nice distant male Hen Harrier, and the usual waders along the track, and later in the afternoon a couple of Barn Owls and some Short-eared Owls.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2a0Ajn9Y_o6oKYRJLKAk4YJ22r6Wn3UyR8wZNkGWfnBDIOPcBAB2jG_gJDsc4eUUR5cNP28O56t5ZygzluhCCWS1C8WiqSKjSbLHsuRa6NlipSmit5mchbGQGfRrKWa_qsdGSXYHRMhoZQ8DXT3W-C-ZYGTpl6ogfDrd7XS4c9m7MWYJ4Ifm2jTLNWo/s4000/ROB_7536%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2445" data-original-width="4000" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2a0Ajn9Y_o6oKYRJLKAk4YJ22r6Wn3UyR8wZNkGWfnBDIOPcBAB2jG_gJDsc4eUUR5cNP28O56t5ZygzluhCCWS1C8WiqSKjSbLHsuRa6NlipSmit5mchbGQGfRrKWa_qsdGSXYHRMhoZQ8DXT3W-C-ZYGTpl6ogfDrd7XS4c9m7MWYJ4Ifm2jTLNWo/w640-h392/ROB_7536%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lapwing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5N3MERyZBfyjU2RhIlFnHcoTicUQddMuMR4mmnBph3fCyTYfXyk2udyZo5GoFVYnN3Md6ZASiXgScdXzfPo_SQqJrKkaJVw5vkCtN0bSIpw765HQUfsmjhI7KOM_IHqScIsYJguf3ibfTg3-fiSVESVFD23SuSjdLFUuZKWHkJaavnNDu3ZXiIO_qlo/s3168/ROB_7550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1812" data-original-width="3168" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5N3MERyZBfyjU2RhIlFnHcoTicUQddMuMR4mmnBph3fCyTYfXyk2udyZo5GoFVYnN3Md6ZASiXgScdXzfPo_SQqJrKkaJVw5vkCtN0bSIpw765HQUfsmjhI7KOM_IHqScIsYJguf3ibfTg3-fiSVESVFD23SuSjdLFUuZKWHkJaavnNDu3ZXiIO_qlo/w640-h366/ROB_7550.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Barn Owl.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii97AMfc1v5THaO7Iyef_04qHhqBdRM9BuIdjjo1c2CS4J5rIW9Gl8rXg5y8hIkbRzk0bIOo_dttV6q93T0lhnADVbdRwnX-IKfl4gK_FzB4jtOcpjnFnjzaE9S3Qs4-FdY9EytGUfsoorruRS_YNgiqQFpNYDLYijpNOkVKihIFRvHnejBGRDRbcqxjA/s3084/ROB_7553%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1794" data-original-width="3084" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii97AMfc1v5THaO7Iyef_04qHhqBdRM9BuIdjjo1c2CS4J5rIW9Gl8rXg5y8hIkbRzk0bIOo_dttV6q93T0lhnADVbdRwnX-IKfl4gK_FzB4jtOcpjnFnjzaE9S3Qs4-FdY9EytGUfsoorruRS_YNgiqQFpNYDLYijpNOkVKihIFRvHnejBGRDRbcqxjA/w640-h372/ROB_7553%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87ez3YdUbTqKBPzv2CglawAkeZIUahANHDBOpwLT_deMRUdq9FV0XjeaTJJUiwrhVay8I-RZWXKqAruNETpbTbNje0i64MzOrNAfMVQEqANvyonipMWr3K4YdxCI4NDa5ov1X05QbDtDtjSxc1dHPWw23or7HNUesmJt9NF5jyD9GNRODv8Ou3-Ugg3A/s3582/ROB_7559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1956" data-original-width="3582" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87ez3YdUbTqKBPzv2CglawAkeZIUahANHDBOpwLT_deMRUdq9FV0XjeaTJJUiwrhVay8I-RZWXKqAruNETpbTbNje0i64MzOrNAfMVQEqANvyonipMWr3K4YdxCI4NDa5ov1X05QbDtDtjSxc1dHPWw23or7HNUesmJt9NF5jyD9GNRODv8Ou3-Ugg3A/w640-h350/ROB_7559.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Short-eared Owl.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With the later trip with Lisa, we were expecting similar problems with the traffic, so we left home very early, and of course we sailed through in record time, getting to the reserve 40 minutes before it even opened!! At least we had our breakfast with us, so we could eat that at our leisure. Once we were onto the reserve we saw plenty of Lapwing and Redshank, a species that was not seen surprisingly in the earlier visit. A couple of these Redshank also performed very well for us.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPij19_P7V-fl5jiRq9Xm7TX2hFv0LQaKQekL3hOKc9Sz_Om-o6KoeHFjuekk9W0u-kaJg5LVQFoPuCnVH0JoQv30gm4wHyMGDszuGWnv2Nkq0t8SR6Jltpumjlb5EVhXAyE56Mk0tUnKCk71ATiWO1DVhu780N3HbphBvWpi10HrV9uamVbjIGG8qUc/s4500/ROB_8375%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2694" data-original-width="4500" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPij19_P7V-fl5jiRq9Xm7TX2hFv0LQaKQekL3hOKc9Sz_Om-o6KoeHFjuekk9W0u-kaJg5LVQFoPuCnVH0JoQv30gm4wHyMGDszuGWnv2Nkq0t8SR6Jltpumjlb5EVhXAyE56Mk0tUnKCk71ATiWO1DVhu780N3HbphBvWpi10HrV9uamVbjIGG8qUc/w640-h384/ROB_8375%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhDwJK9iD6AHw8kjxYJP7wg7kU_SXgHyQioCq9yh25pqaMvHvNoMuNPE2wYCW6z-WlhW1sosgGnHzFAuyCWJqN0w-Oz7AXTFDY4LwnbTXSAEZJE_SWey_ctPz94wIDLYHh8CohLqDWdBTa_HtwPNlogBfrKC4LJBQdKaSZAisneL48vdszlpmzx_mWu4/s4500/ROB_8383%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2589" data-original-width="4500" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhDwJK9iD6AHw8kjxYJP7wg7kU_SXgHyQioCq9yh25pqaMvHvNoMuNPE2wYCW6z-WlhW1sosgGnHzFAuyCWJqN0w-Oz7AXTFDY4LwnbTXSAEZJE_SWey_ctPz94wIDLYHh8CohLqDWdBTa_HtwPNlogBfrKC4LJBQdKaSZAisneL48vdszlpmzx_mWu4/w640-h368/ROB_8383%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Redshank.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTJDUpAUPYcbvsCG-lAH6jpl1OT3V2sm3p4eB0zMLy5TsldZPsMaNfnPjsQDZlefU3d0d4THgkne_gKWLED0bSCEWncZW_RmdJnN5O1OzA7Vo-CLKaGsQERLk-nX9wOSCFA7RpkqLFBU5iYR_iCNyVDkyorcGWBOtZ3yvR6qDZfpJAxaLXVOuZVA2pPY/s4000/ROB_8356%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2378" data-original-width="4000" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTJDUpAUPYcbvsCG-lAH6jpl1OT3V2sm3p4eB0zMLy5TsldZPsMaNfnPjsQDZlefU3d0d4THgkne_gKWLED0bSCEWncZW_RmdJnN5O1OzA7Vo-CLKaGsQERLk-nX9wOSCFA7RpkqLFBU5iYR_iCNyVDkyorcGWBOtZ3yvR6qDZfpJAxaLXVOuZVA2pPY/w640-h380/ROB_8356%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lapwing.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We also located one of the resident Little Owls, sitting on the old school building.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8Fuxu117KTD0K5eog8mh-KKSdRqsKqZn33yf2wmKSRKJ7KpOskOwsJIr6ZUNOCxE4Ek1it2SAHW8hho4PPhjcRnyqz18C0ZTw-9r3rdZk-J5dG7Q1wJUubd0vlNnMNf5a3lpWW-QtnI_T_D5BBqhC0Q5x87jsdgKQ0n9bZVb6-9jmnSvQ_lrmwGRghA/s3750/ROB_8385%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2366" data-original-width="3750" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8Fuxu117KTD0K5eog8mh-KKSdRqsKqZn33yf2wmKSRKJ7KpOskOwsJIr6ZUNOCxE4Ek1it2SAHW8hho4PPhjcRnyqz18C0ZTw-9r3rdZk-J5dG7Q1wJUubd0vlNnMNf5a3lpWW-QtnI_T_D5BBqhC0Q5x87jsdgKQ0n9bZVb6-9jmnSvQ_lrmwGRghA/w640-h404/ROB_8385%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Little Owl.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Elmley is well known for its numbers of Brown Hare. We ended up seeing around 10 of these beautiful animals. Most were well out in the fields, but 2 were hunkered down quite near the track in the scrubbier grasses. It wasn't easy getting the car into the exact spot to see through the tangle of grasses to get a clear head shot, but it was just about possible.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2UTu12ssxlksBAB6Nza0u5QAT_VV1QwzJQlspCx6WtJ6BWKxpE8XYySvbtrjCmxCLagbm31mF3l3WgJETNu4dyRz3P59dSproczu3WhO3SgL5knVv38f0TFOCC90D1VTHa_VSnv5pEXTE1FStppkVkva7G1iJxfY-S-ru-DcsrucC7aYGWon90v8Gtlk/s4500/ROB_8440%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2704" data-original-width="4500" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2UTu12ssxlksBAB6Nza0u5QAT_VV1QwzJQlspCx6WtJ6BWKxpE8XYySvbtrjCmxCLagbm31mF3l3WgJETNu4dyRz3P59dSproczu3WhO3SgL5knVv38f0TFOCC90D1VTHa_VSnv5pEXTE1FStppkVkva7G1iJxfY-S-ru-DcsrucC7aYGWon90v8Gtlk/w640-h384/ROB_8440%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Brown Hare.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Very near the Hares was a female Kestrel that was hunting very close to the car. With only a 500mm it was actually difficult some of the time getting the whole of the bird in the frame. It was a little better when it moved a bit further away!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYksq6wAmvbM-xV067kD9NVJcaDf6t819Votv6kEdZqEoF7AU8eSXaslCCrPZyUHA5L56x_-X7nsudLeEKAf2rqfwSLlKqIbkgJ2-9hlM7_w3xfoPyH0ehqSTdLHusvR8WgFqFs2Wy9nZjEJld45ZnJXwKUeorMIvKQu1TXMvRo9g2_MZbJhT4h3cFC-I/s4500/ROB_8396%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2644" data-original-width="4500" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYksq6wAmvbM-xV067kD9NVJcaDf6t819Votv6kEdZqEoF7AU8eSXaslCCrPZyUHA5L56x_-X7nsudLeEKAf2rqfwSLlKqIbkgJ2-9hlM7_w3xfoPyH0ehqSTdLHusvR8WgFqFs2Wy9nZjEJld45ZnJXwKUeorMIvKQu1TXMvRo9g2_MZbJhT4h3cFC-I/w640-h376/ROB_8396%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJq5xW7u5cZtmXMvNlR73yKXt8qAkXw44T1Y_GMjUDmu3KIwiNueAi2EslET6h8NQOpsRfCD7NbP9FOH7yjzmC8pJdUHD6LhptNb4pq8fJB46QubKexDzznAhRagXbqyh83qOspuYW2HfsjvdVLdX_9foyzAS4zudA0jmspLYC5uX_0mV1AJb-D7Uvt4/s5000/ROB_8409%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2606" data-original-width="5000" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJq5xW7u5cZtmXMvNlR73yKXt8qAkXw44T1Y_GMjUDmu3KIwiNueAi2EslET6h8NQOpsRfCD7NbP9FOH7yjzmC8pJdUHD6LhptNb4pq8fJB46QubKexDzznAhRagXbqyh83qOspuYW2HfsjvdVLdX_9foyzAS4zudA0jmspLYC5uX_0mV1AJb-D7Uvt4/w640-h334/ROB_8409%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCez8Tt1Jt577gWUqIM2F3s6b7F0of1Fw4UjLNmvq1j616TbK9bowWSJatHrwlQZCX6TlYwI71XMcgn-2__XeK_449ys06zbLML8IY_luNs2rQ_BPSh-hrWjBcMaaa9M6-yIshRUyGgtkRp41EsYX1_nTdR3_CdFpyd2jHrTIfn4vOEGMmia43nV8Vuc/s4100/ROB_8416%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2237" data-original-width="4100" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCez8Tt1Jt577gWUqIM2F3s6b7F0of1Fw4UjLNmvq1j616TbK9bowWSJatHrwlQZCX6TlYwI71XMcgn-2__XeK_449ys06zbLML8IY_luNs2rQ_BPSh-hrWjBcMaaa9M6-yIshRUyGgtkRp41EsYX1_nTdR3_CdFpyd2jHrTIfn4vOEGMmia43nV8Vuc/w640-h350/ROB_8416%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgz8f8soP3FaXB1bKZJ6318e0fbR7G6CbCsukJC6dQepIfPoId8n76d1OYbUbTXIXasG5NeE7cPKnTqi4q3EpOIDxdyrxc1uEXQGy5iKRptH-HGltD9lVQ-LGmxi_JG5RfAvOfaTSUXiw3CDyFvQIpTYN9K_JwMqFDkIdMZ2hic8XQT4ttUV62lDJiew/s4000/ROB_8417%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2158" data-original-width="4000" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgz8f8soP3FaXB1bKZJ6318e0fbR7G6CbCsukJC6dQepIfPoId8n76d1OYbUbTXIXasG5NeE7cPKnTqi4q3EpOIDxdyrxc1uEXQGy5iKRptH-HGltD9lVQ-LGmxi_JG5RfAvOfaTSUXiw3CDyFvQIpTYN9K_JwMqFDkIdMZ2hic8XQT4ttUV62lDJiew/w640-h346/ROB_8417%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_aUBM5Mf1u4jUq9funsgBEvINbh4YSA8jFXhZk4WDVhaTx1ehipQZBxnh_K4WM39oYPpzCuR9Q4JbXz-XL27CNV4LM8KnVsLpOluzQRlAF1NeOKDgRo1XRjeRg1c62fygs0mjfC09gszShjEigsWZpC0uhiWPiFiu69vK9vTr7rNGflI-C9AT-VvseI/s5000/ROB_8422%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2037" data-original-width="5000" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_aUBM5Mf1u4jUq9funsgBEvINbh4YSA8jFXhZk4WDVhaTx1ehipQZBxnh_K4WM39oYPpzCuR9Q4JbXz-XL27CNV4LM8KnVsLpOluzQRlAF1NeOKDgRo1XRjeRg1c62fygs0mjfC09gszShjEigsWZpC0uhiWPiFiu69vK9vTr7rNGflI-C9AT-VvseI/w640-h260/ROB_8422%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyg37gTJaOT5YcS96b3sy6gi_ez3zpJDG-thyphenhyphenRmdt7UsNo2mhL9zSBUDnVaeThucG3VSq-AUgOgpQ8tXE-O4_Tus0FngFBZFao4-QromnNvvPa_6W_LXUYrwLIOaLcyClg1d9KkhLSNBkEQHFtikynchqYsbAbEPrJ5Ige2y4EGei-mQ1BMzuS54wTDH8/s4302/ROB_8429%20(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2589" data-original-width="4302" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyg37gTJaOT5YcS96b3sy6gi_ez3zpJDG-thyphenhyphenRmdt7UsNo2mhL9zSBUDnVaeThucG3VSq-AUgOgpQ8tXE-O4_Tus0FngFBZFao4-QromnNvvPa_6W_LXUYrwLIOaLcyClg1d9KkhLSNBkEQHFtikynchqYsbAbEPrJ5Ige2y4EGei-mQ1BMzuS54wTDH8/w640-h386/ROB_8429%20(4).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Female Kestrel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Unfortunately, with it being a little breezy, the Short-eared Owls didn't really show for us before we had to leave, as the gates are locked at 4pm at this time of year. We did see a couple, but one was distant and the other dropped from a fence post onto the ground and stayed there for the duration. It probably caught some prey, so didn't need to hunt again for a couple of hours.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We left the reserve hoping for another clear run, but that was soon scuppered when the road south of the M2 was closed!! Still, it wasn't too bad a drive home following the diversion.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Bob Eade.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15087975886344058082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633531568827488212.post-15725953914990835822024-03-05T13:55:00.000+00:002024-03-05T13:55:27.870+00:00Super Sanderlings.<p style="text-align: center;"> During my 2 week break in Worthing, I managed to have 4 different sessions with the local Sanderling. This is a lovely small wader that I have photographed on a handful of occasions over the years, but not particularly successfully.</p><p style="text-align: center;">As their name suggests, Sanderling do like the sand, as that is where their main food supply is. Over in Seaford, the beaches are pebbles, hence, no Sanderling.</p><p style="text-align: center;">By studying the tide times it was easy to get to the beach when the sand was showing, and as the beach in Worthing is very close to where Lisa lives it was great to arrive and leave at the right times. </p><p style="text-align: center;">The first two visits were with Lisa, before her skiing holiday, but the other two visits were on my own. With the 4 visits I took so many pictures of these little characters. They were also much easier to photograph than I remember from previous experiences, with the birds running almost up to me, so long as I kept very still and low to the ground.</p><p style="text-align: center;">There may be a bit of a Sanderling over-load here, but it was extremely difficult knowing which photos to post.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4whp9OYp1uYu273JLijUEC5qOzcr6XGV5AXO1J0iUTVTcs1oDSuwTl5dCMGQiSMUbUuzfSTNlX_bi9OSVmEJhCeOZWCjcWjjnniZpr7giYORJfUr0OugjVkF2Fkd3xog5NUls3PBir-5nLfH8kk3fTOzZgxTBTA1Cewp6EaWv6EyYfBa5yrlxZlqP40/s4600/ROB_8164%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2593" data-original-width="4600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4whp9OYp1uYu273JLijUEC5qOzcr6XGV5AXO1J0iUTVTcs1oDSuwTl5dCMGQiSMUbUuzfSTNlX_bi9OSVmEJhCeOZWCjcWjjnniZpr7giYORJfUr0OugjVkF2Fkd3xog5NUls3PBir-5nLfH8kk3fTOzZgxTBTA1Cewp6EaWv6EyYfBa5yrlxZlqP40/w640-h360/ROB_8164%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think this one is my personal favourite shot from the sessions.</div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">It was a bit of a shame that all the days were cloudy, as it may have helped add a bit of a sparkle to the pictures, but on the other hand, as the birds are very lightly coloured, too much sunshine would have blown out the detail of the feathers.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWc85wBzTXYOOGe1malG3HoaKGFfcZLzJGsUOxBUNt4lXPx7JwlnAkgz8nDMDZUQBEN_s9Tepw7hgl7-DaxcaISmqBopaWCKbvbkXrv5i5ep4WCxwuRJeTZr-cMbXrgFCTB9bNJkMnZsPXzvMK2IFce9DlP1r2WxrzHZPQGnztYtax4WZYCWYo9E0IpPo/s5000/ROB_8034%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2755" data-original-width="5000" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWc85wBzTXYOOGe1malG3HoaKGFfcZLzJGsUOxBUNt4lXPx7JwlnAkgz8nDMDZUQBEN_s9Tepw7hgl7-DaxcaISmqBopaWCKbvbkXrv5i5ep4WCxwuRJeTZr-cMbXrgFCTB9bNJkMnZsPXzvMK2IFce9DlP1r2WxrzHZPQGnztYtax4WZYCWYo9E0IpPo/w640-h352/ROB_8034%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Z8jVq1JMYBj9dXy7URarsJJ7VJdLZJf8wtEzzBcOSDXD39Oj0EMpDV0ZsfLavfMOL1_pf9L6tKJWNvFGM6uUu1-2quay2mIB3A0PBJzWgPSYuiT_EOTrpy1GNykmhiEZKfgoJWg9RuDKSwlCK6nOhNYX-1n6lXT83oa0H-L9pIo9Z-6ginYzeJzO6Zk/s5000/ROB_8088%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2904" data-original-width="5000" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Z8jVq1JMYBj9dXy7URarsJJ7VJdLZJf8wtEzzBcOSDXD39Oj0EMpDV0ZsfLavfMOL1_pf9L6tKJWNvFGM6uUu1-2quay2mIB3A0PBJzWgPSYuiT_EOTrpy1GNykmhiEZKfgoJWg9RuDKSwlCK6nOhNYX-1n6lXT83oa0H-L9pIo9Z-6ginYzeJzO6Zk/w640-h372/ROB_8088%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sanderling hunting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGPuU-MKTyiTiOB21L-1TLfbocX1RSz3JiDoI1tmD2V2o1P01xk1uTwW7oL3XCAKETtORqp2jLhEXj99UshRfrYLv1ULORid3bIOkhvT1PJisK1YRUFKlZ45kh3A2hTvxGCkEuEiIyJzuRNVmmhUY8VJ8DIBEKn15kJEgrlL9YLUcgQG7Ve7d9YVyelE/s4600/ROB_8044%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2809" data-original-width="4600" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGPuU-MKTyiTiOB21L-1TLfbocX1RSz3JiDoI1tmD2V2o1P01xk1uTwW7oL3XCAKETtORqp2jLhEXj99UshRfrYLv1ULORid3bIOkhvT1PJisK1YRUFKlZ45kh3A2hTvxGCkEuEiIyJzuRNVmmhUY8VJ8DIBEKn15kJEgrlL9YLUcgQG7Ve7d9YVyelE/w640-h390/ROB_8044%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Finding a Ragworm.</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyeM_FnMfglW2rICFRlQZETgIhgZPBsBoCC7rxPtUfKAEKXP3ERdZq7G3wKe7WYZhNxZ8yuvhSgCbz3Km4NzUKBPts14WXyVyMtNmZXaTiMM1J1ols4EstMN-3f1psFLwlaFHjdsFETVpMa3sw5go6eC40F_bzPpRjU41S1-N-LAjxF8eUQHh7ydyMnb8/s4800/ROB_8045%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2847" data-original-width="4800" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyeM_FnMfglW2rICFRlQZETgIhgZPBsBoCC7rxPtUfKAEKXP3ERdZq7G3wKe7WYZhNxZ8yuvhSgCbz3Km4NzUKBPts14WXyVyMtNmZXaTiMM1J1ols4EstMN-3f1psFLwlaFHjdsFETVpMa3sw5go6eC40F_bzPpRjU41S1-N-LAjxF8eUQHh7ydyMnb8/w640-h380/ROB_8045%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After a short pull, out the worm comes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiby7RHYV8Ro2weMD9NCoAJKYWm_mHSBxDYPiLVMA1r-jK_WVuh8p8OeQy8Evdt6zeYLqrFcaWB3n4Oy1aBtdEtmN_cXFEvEF5KAwiSkqjS1Y6l3M5FjBoAYR0583EFJzQa3tqlQNywvPRYY4l8VblwUTVoE52ZeWuxnUFA9TtK-v1hm2HUbGS1pk33vK8/s4500/ROB_8101%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2486" data-original-width="4500" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiby7RHYV8Ro2weMD9NCoAJKYWm_mHSBxDYPiLVMA1r-jK_WVuh8p8OeQy8Evdt6zeYLqrFcaWB3n4Oy1aBtdEtmN_cXFEvEF5KAwiSkqjS1Y6l3M5FjBoAYR0583EFJzQa3tqlQNywvPRYY4l8VblwUTVoE52ZeWuxnUFA9TtK-v1hm2HUbGS1pk33vK8/w640-h354/ROB_8101%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The latest in Sanderling fashion!! Part of a Sanderling study.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisl5uDpJwaF1L_pM5C87KlhgzEP1vGvy7IK6r_IsO38HnkzBvBm7SsrlgPCqZ7v_okOFf62hzdhES1OkXut4QtnQZ6kX_VTEbNzSsFcuKKDLBLe_DclFmk7JgVS0cjVrZ3Fx91EeVoCPGSSZWQ8wjBRAyTX9tlnKiMZEB4Nyhj7NaflZgXsxXnRRMo0j4/s3500/ROB_8119%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1871" data-original-width="3500" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisl5uDpJwaF1L_pM5C87KlhgzEP1vGvy7IK6r_IsO38HnkzBvBm7SsrlgPCqZ7v_okOFf62hzdhES1OkXut4QtnQZ6kX_VTEbNzSsFcuKKDLBLe_DclFmk7JgVS0cjVrZ3Fx91EeVoCPGSSZWQ8wjBRAyTX9tlnKiMZEB4Nyhj7NaflZgXsxXnRRMo0j4/w640-h342/ROB_8119%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sanderling shaking off the water after a wash.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBGYcpdSgWozvMPh7u-tXu5_PC7eKtcJVcBbKkcoE2h_ETV6JrQIbAX6-egmtAzrw43-fJuAOfRTl1F02E5Bv90lIiihlAH-HJOYgu8MqY80M2SRZrSMmMkuyx58GYFsFfgeNor0EGwO_kj-WJo0KZsGpRV6Sdr_K0XdGj9bXBFRaAmnb4bsSOqI3aAc/s4800/ROB_8158%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2814" data-original-width="4800" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBGYcpdSgWozvMPh7u-tXu5_PC7eKtcJVcBbKkcoE2h_ETV6JrQIbAX6-egmtAzrw43-fJuAOfRTl1F02E5Bv90lIiihlAH-HJOYgu8MqY80M2SRZrSMmMkuyx58GYFsFfgeNor0EGwO_kj-WJo0KZsGpRV6Sdr_K0XdGj9bXBFRaAmnb4bsSOqI3aAc/w640-h376/ROB_8158%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkv23FDFBBedbj8PZIb2tYj6SXx-SrDEFImRjFpEVapR8PEzP3jlyrOD0n6OrGCChyphenhyphen5NMp8Hm9O1KIIsrsuTF-Q57nLlkEIQzFFIJYsZlu1Uif889W8JQ2p8q7Gtp4qD4WUO6TsGuFR-XjGOADZVerccGhorKJZQMF84QTm8Kjs_90qZqxPXxORYDDcAk/s4600/ROB_8211%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2659" data-original-width="4600" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkv23FDFBBedbj8PZIb2tYj6SXx-SrDEFImRjFpEVapR8PEzP3jlyrOD0n6OrGCChyphenhyphen5NMp8Hm9O1KIIsrsuTF-Q57nLlkEIQzFFIJYsZlu1Uif889W8JQ2p8q7Gtp4qD4WUO6TsGuFR-XjGOADZVerccGhorKJZQMF84QTm8Kjs_90qZqxPXxORYDDcAk/w640-h370/ROB_8211%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjEYOyrSQ2cUblzjWPf1SziwgayUSgqqvYCyiomtrvGVq5ZG0SLYSbEUZX_lNfqP7E2AU2dEaMmMwJdsWrOiNRNuvJ7z_uuofUQWI6wV2DWWqEX9b2bYhO4wbu_Wa6YZzhzQHtZnT7QgEN1jV5nXbEiIDcbBV2IxL3R8IqT_9XX8fsezHZlinJxJrazk/s4600/ROB_8222%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2720" data-original-width="4600" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjEYOyrSQ2cUblzjWPf1SziwgayUSgqqvYCyiomtrvGVq5ZG0SLYSbEUZX_lNfqP7E2AU2dEaMmMwJdsWrOiNRNuvJ7z_uuofUQWI6wV2DWWqEX9b2bYhO4wbu_Wa6YZzhzQHtZnT7QgEN1jV5nXbEiIDcbBV2IxL3R8IqT_9XX8fsezHZlinJxJrazk/w640-h378/ROB_8222%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hoping the water movement will bring more food.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFw-4G4fLyc6AQ8K4Lv9_N_BjCqO4ny8SntQJydc90N1YKQ_wMN80HzepJSe6LisqiEGeykKMrLnD-ycLFz4oMcLIrqQmhrSqf9eqe3hCnvp3in8jg_kNjqha-WTqweaf2A-tKl75wd-zjobUFiLon_VlJSNjRbOeqjSQwc-ZyPKHiPrSgfFaW0BXmOI/s4500/ROB_8224%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2699" data-original-width="4500" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFw-4G4fLyc6AQ8K4Lv9_N_BjCqO4ny8SntQJydc90N1YKQ_wMN80HzepJSe6LisqiEGeykKMrLnD-ycLFz4oMcLIrqQmhrSqf9eqe3hCnvp3in8jg_kNjqha-WTqweaf2A-tKl75wd-zjobUFiLon_VlJSNjRbOeqjSQwc-ZyPKHiPrSgfFaW0BXmOI/w640-h384/ROB_8224%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUhhJqVaZX8QYX3z2qr4n0kmaXGEcXUgngHpZGo-i7sya1z7yLhxvAEeK7sVZSvIOTpf1tnNDAnnnDOFpkX54GZciSCEPyTC7GQEdnSXz0WUVsSrED-KfKAoAN1JHCjUOTpsFqo4uqV4_Cb8mUlaCkW6Z3us4wSahdUIn2ho78zyOpFqOODmVH58pdHu4/s8256/ROB_8243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4940" data-original-width="8256" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUhhJqVaZX8QYX3z2qr4n0kmaXGEcXUgngHpZGo-i7sya1z7yLhxvAEeK7sVZSvIOTpf1tnNDAnnnDOFpkX54GZciSCEPyTC7GQEdnSXz0WUVsSrED-KfKAoAN1JHCjUOTpsFqo4uqV4_Cb8mUlaCkW6Z3us4wSahdUIn2ho78zyOpFqOODmVH58pdHu4/w640-h382/ROB_8243.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This one actually came too close at one point to focus on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnoOkRHWsFv93unxnBk6_aHiRQQbPSThNFVR4Wfd4qA2ICI_T_NHSEdQwKDGVMTLZ7WU5NOjVq-SESnymUAQ0gbL7ZYKzE5SyQSIUfOl00WpDXSdfjvq1hiBbhw6Zf8XrPeRqiPfcBeq7xY14mOxttu02NUo2EpU6tPxLMgQEFcUgeAiQPyJ5jHTmCNfo/s4600/ROB_8297%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2627" data-original-width="4600" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnoOkRHWsFv93unxnBk6_aHiRQQbPSThNFVR4Wfd4qA2ICI_T_NHSEdQwKDGVMTLZ7WU5NOjVq-SESnymUAQ0gbL7ZYKzE5SyQSIUfOl00WpDXSdfjvq1hiBbhw6Zf8XrPeRqiPfcBeq7xY14mOxttu02NUo2EpU6tPxLMgQEFcUgeAiQPyJ5jHTmCNfo/w640-h366/ROB_8297%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Foraging in a rockpool.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">This is just a small selection of the photos I took. Basically, I can now delete all my previous Sanderling photos!!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Bob Eade.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15087975886344058082noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633531568827488212.post-5708350623790510602024-02-28T18:22:00.004+00:002024-02-28T22:16:28.821+00:0050 Years of Badgers.<p style="text-align: center;"> Back in 1974, at the age of 15, I found a Badger sett at Offham. A couple of days later, or should I say nights later, on the 19th February I walked from home in Lewes, to Offham and prepared to wait until I had seen my very first Badger.</p><p style="text-align: center;">As it was, I didn't have to wait too long as at 6pm a Badger walked along a path that I was standing nearby, before going down a large entrance to the sett about 10 feet in front of me. A few minutes later it came out again and wandered down the bank where it went out of view. After that, according to my notes of the evening, it made a large noise!! I can still remember my first sighting of that Badger as if it was only a few weeks ago. From that moment I was 'hooked'!!</p><p style="text-align: center;">That was without a doubt an evening that changed my life, as I started studying this iconic animal, seeing them at several sites in the vicinity, mostly travelling by foot or pushbike. (That's me and not the Badger of course)!!</p><p style="text-align: center;">It was only a little over a year before I had my 50th evening of watching Badgers. I was so mad keen on them that my nickname at school was 'BadgerBob'.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I kept notes of every evening right up until my 151st evening on 5th April 1976. I guess it's not too much of a surprise that I slowed down on the Badger watching after this time as by then I had met Penny!! However, although I did slow down I still went quite frequently, and I had many memorable evenings of Badger watching with friends and family members. I remember vividly taking my Dad. He was sitting up one tree whilst I was up another. We were both looking at a Badger, but not the same one. We were both pointing to the one we were looking at wondering why the other one wasn't taking any notice!!</p><p style="text-align: center;">Penny also came many times, as did my Mum a few times. I must have spent well over 2000 hours over the years watching these wonderful animals. It brings much pleasure knowing Matt enjoys the odd evening of watching them over in Hampshire. Chris also occasionally enjoys an evening out on the Downs watching them.</p><p style="text-align: center;">My lovely Mother-in-law has also reminded me that she too came with me a few times!! I even brought her back!!</p><p style="text-align: center;">Over the years I have rarely taken photographs of them. I did have a few 35mm slides, which have probably gone mouldy now. A handful of digital photos are all I have now. I do have one of the very first colour photos of a mating pair, which was probably from February 1975 or 1976. Fortunately I did take a digital copy of this photo, which I have literally just found whilst writing this blog!! Looking at it I should perhaps photoshop out the dust spots.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Wzk_xyx8pZRVHsncc4xdyxc4IS4lNtXOhrihr3C0hxfPk3xeOqBubVUFttSUYZpqWmazGyhJmWLuoFuCChvUsz7NXatgrdjE7igb5kGcaxuxv47_SB8ywFSsf_X3LEnDlj3ItmksoBOfbejFpX0cAjHsiJ3cW2VRwHeh0clgkrkYMxaWq49Pa5iNy2k/s3800/DSC_1489%20-%20Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2488" data-original-width="3800" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Wzk_xyx8pZRVHsncc4xdyxc4IS4lNtXOhrihr3C0hxfPk3xeOqBubVUFttSUYZpqWmazGyhJmWLuoFuCChvUsz7NXatgrdjE7igb5kGcaxuxv47_SB8ywFSsf_X3LEnDlj3ItmksoBOfbejFpX0cAjHsiJ3cW2VRwHeh0clgkrkYMxaWq49Pa5iNy2k/w640-h420/DSC_1489%20-%20Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Mating Badgers.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> (one of the first colour images of this ).</p><p style="text-align: center;">My digital photos below, and a special thanks to my friend Dave Palmer for inviting myself and then a few days later, Penny too, to see them in his garden. By this time Penny wasn't well enough to go trekking over the Downs, so it was wonderful she was able to see one at close range at Dave's. She really was so excited to see a Badger after so many years.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWLNO38c7y06EnJrRTkKpWyu5aGfmIYOnJpv6U21N7asiF3ivuy2o_xQ8DTrBLDGKRnhiMG7iP8aYB3nhruXoOOwSdlfMol6IFYDotuKMpjiIXyD8OSMj2NHoJdXEDfHqZLxHmkk02pqT766FhN1aj-VcOsOmuLmEuTe3rs9Kc68gxRivoaMSLYQCJxE/s4000/ROB_6969%20-%20Copy%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2396" data-original-width="4000" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWLNO38c7y06EnJrRTkKpWyu5aGfmIYOnJpv6U21N7asiF3ivuy2o_xQ8DTrBLDGKRnhiMG7iP8aYB3nhruXoOOwSdlfMol6IFYDotuKMpjiIXyD8OSMj2NHoJdXEDfHqZLxHmkk02pqT766FhN1aj-VcOsOmuLmEuTe3rs9Kc68gxRivoaMSLYQCJxE/w640-h384/ROB_6969%20-%20Copy%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWGXh6xgPK8APIafNY9XPfG8Bd78eouQBOXD54GogVO2wGLBVT10QFErKmgx4bC7AUS_OYv7SlTiofvW4usem_K2lgSFu7q2LAY4EYNI4_eZf6Sw-fR5t_o4uU7bZMBsyRUP5i65oeliSvIbOqyAh3x6ekLq57LEz-e3nzPAJzfJGBKCWzII1ieIzKHo/s4000/ROB_6970%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2886" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWGXh6xgPK8APIafNY9XPfG8Bd78eouQBOXD54GogVO2wGLBVT10QFErKmgx4bC7AUS_OYv7SlTiofvW4usem_K2lgSFu7q2LAY4EYNI4_eZf6Sw-fR5t_o4uU7bZMBsyRUP5i65oeliSvIbOqyAh3x6ekLq57LEz-e3nzPAJzfJGBKCWzII1ieIzKHo/w462-h640/ROB_6970%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="462" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pAYCs88cORP2QgzSzZiM7cAQlFJUROF27jpU_8y6ViKNI-qWLcLHpwzp4RzHNZCRy2perHeafqhfdQK0zYvrQQh5WEt24VC2zo9ew8uGUJk7QlvqWBqvFY1O6dyCtGQz2NywpSBQ6H9up9CaaMdhJE4lVx5sSdbhVHwElex05_Hv-BGLDt-PWVkQ6uI/s4500/ROB_6972%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3053" data-original-width="4500" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pAYCs88cORP2QgzSzZiM7cAQlFJUROF27jpU_8y6ViKNI-qWLcLHpwzp4RzHNZCRy2perHeafqhfdQK0zYvrQQh5WEt24VC2zo9ew8uGUJk7QlvqWBqvFY1O6dyCtGQz2NywpSBQ6H9up9CaaMdhJE4lVx5sSdbhVHwElex05_Hv-BGLDt-PWVkQ6uI/w640-h434/ROB_6972%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbeIxR6EptzFGbJWw86hDB9btRpoDpp1II-KAA4PkMmqimzenq36FSY_D8-apHx_wbQmHE0oetvkclbFiboz71ye0AtLePin2zp_c91qkAtDzomTDtbOhpHM6knvLaRUOGkBezCy42bkDNcDK556pPt7dbweFuUKc4Sjz-0lHbPpXxGi5j69dOJczcbWQ/s5000/ROB_6977%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3057" data-original-width="5000" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbeIxR6EptzFGbJWw86hDB9btRpoDpp1II-KAA4PkMmqimzenq36FSY_D8-apHx_wbQmHE0oetvkclbFiboz71ye0AtLePin2zp_c91qkAtDzomTDtbOhpHM6knvLaRUOGkBezCy42bkDNcDK556pPt7dbweFuUKc4Sjz-0lHbPpXxGi5j69dOJczcbWQ/w640-h392/ROB_6977%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The lovely Badger from Dave's garden.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAfByvBypkZHvEITRrZ_zuLMjbnsTpS6K1ffjJT0JLP9MuEmI7mRleq4RuzahZoOKW3v2fNqDw5t4NjM6Xa3qxSvRm-qZvnk1qguh8v5U1M3RL2B0UYT4xlAf0KtrqTehPwPeEjMsePez0XCKiLztu6q8yejIlYkuzsWHSUfTVpdoRjsAXK0QjC5OPXE/s4000/DSC_1364%20-%20Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2656" data-original-width="4000" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAfByvBypkZHvEITRrZ_zuLMjbnsTpS6K1ffjJT0JLP9MuEmI7mRleq4RuzahZoOKW3v2fNqDw5t4NjM6Xa3qxSvRm-qZvnk1qguh8v5U1M3RL2B0UYT4xlAf0KtrqTehPwPeEjMsePez0XCKiLztu6q8yejIlYkuzsWHSUfTVpdoRjsAXK0QjC5OPXE/w640-h424/DSC_1364%20-%20Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Badger Cub.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXDOx6P3hxTUk-riUhGjw3Z385WZpaV_qX2GqRMH1gucxqXTRXDeKpp315ABLUIkAoyXoXkI4HqFUL4rNOkmJsIVm9-q-7y95pMcZEAkJDJjtBl1tZwTrvm1SCk2NVKVuh1ojL_pZmhKbsq8U4rXyW3B0OQs8XOoLYOkNEEiwbYXKWzDUe7GAcx9YFkg/s4000/DSC_1368%20-%20Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2656" data-original-width="4000" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXDOx6P3hxTUk-riUhGjw3Z385WZpaV_qX2GqRMH1gucxqXTRXDeKpp315ABLUIkAoyXoXkI4HqFUL4rNOkmJsIVm9-q-7y95pMcZEAkJDJjtBl1tZwTrvm1SCk2NVKVuh1ojL_pZmhKbsq8U4rXyW3B0OQs8XOoLYOkNEEiwbYXKWzDUe7GAcx9YFkg/w640-h424/DSC_1368%20-%20Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Badger Cub in the late sunshine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3j-5AnTOf7A4KxKABJaHmNHVvXF0KG3caTz6UI5M_IBRbL7VFQ6dp3GaHh5XZSzwUqpXe-Q28w4pENULiU6QPE7ru0MVXQ04Dko742lhbYcXmYMMkSfgwbZny_iCpW0BK7f9UJQpetOhMuUTE23rqSFWTyQd0DG89HbXNzZkd0UwdE70lelMMl3mYo8/s2600/DSC_1369%20-%20Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1726" data-original-width="2600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3j-5AnTOf7A4KxKABJaHmNHVvXF0KG3caTz6UI5M_IBRbL7VFQ6dp3GaHh5XZSzwUqpXe-Q28w4pENULiU6QPE7ru0MVXQ04Dko742lhbYcXmYMMkSfgwbZny_iCpW0BK7f9UJQpetOhMuUTE23rqSFWTyQd0DG89HbXNzZkd0UwdE70lelMMl3mYo8/w640-h424/DSC_1369%20-%20Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sow Badger.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95Vd9UAs3L0P4cCLtp3p43wU8oByCPNHJRoWkCCDOW1CGAv4lV3N37Lq4XB-cUNU3q8Y9SMxI4rVTvxo9gtQV5Lal1BkhLJTLP1CabrMc7c_ajKHFrol3lfQCI6M0KNw6iVzo1KT0hAdWXLln308Y4NrX3ASaVMoJIWJO86OOToUbujQ8vQGI1fTLUtE/s3505/275%20-%20Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2171" data-original-width="3505" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95Vd9UAs3L0P4cCLtp3p43wU8oByCPNHJRoWkCCDOW1CGAv4lV3N37Lq4XB-cUNU3q8Y9SMxI4rVTvxo9gtQV5Lal1BkhLJTLP1CabrMc7c_ajKHFrol3lfQCI6M0KNw6iVzo1KT0hAdWXLln308Y4NrX3ASaVMoJIWJO86OOToUbujQ8vQGI1fTLUtE/w640-h396/275%20-%20Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These are all from the South Downs National Park near Lewes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As my 50th anniversary of seeing my first Badger came nearer I have wondered if I could see a Badger on the 19th February this year. I went a few weeks ago to a local sett and saw one, and then, Lisa and I found a really good looking sett at the back of Worthing. The week before the 19th we both went and tried at this sett. We were really pleased to see a couple of Badgers here. They also came out around the same time, at around 5.50pm. As it was, I was in Worthing of the week of the anniversary, and as the weather was good I set off full of confidence. Lisa was away skiing in France, but as I was having work done at home I stayed at hers to avoid all the noise!! I got to the sett in plenty of time and waited, and waited. Unfortunately, after all the plans, the Badgers had different ideas and stayed in until I had given up, after 3 hours!! A real shame. I guess my scent had got to a hole that I was unaware of, as it was a sett I wasn't that familiar with. On the way back to the car however, a Badger was seen on the path some distance away. It was a relief to actually see one on my 50th though!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am now so lucky that Lisa is also really keen on wildlife, and is keen to do some Badger watching in the future. I might even add to my few photos in the near future.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's to the next 50 years. Well, probably not I guess.</div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Bob Eade.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15087975886344058082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633531568827488212.post-31902077377523575122024-01-28T16:51:00.000+00:002024-01-28T16:51:45.155+00:00An Epic Butterfly Start to 2024.<p style="text-align: center;"> With our warming climate I often see butterflies in all 12 months of the year. I was on course for this again in 2023, but failed on the final hurdle, with no UK sightings in December.</p><p style="text-align: center;">2024 started, and it was starting to look as though I would actually fail at the first hurdle, as up until the 26th I hadn't seen any at all. Even more frustrating as Matt had actually seen one on January 1st!!</p><p style="text-align: center;">On Friday, the 26th, Lisa was heading over to mine for a trip out in the sunshine to hopefully see some Bearded Tits. While I was waiting for her to arrive, I loaded up the car with the camera gear along with wellies and coats etc, and then decided to clean out the bird feeder. Whilst cleaning the feeders I suddenly became aware of a couple of Red Admirals flying around my head. Yay, at last, a butterfly sighting. </p><p style="text-align: center;">It then became much, much better though, as they landed on the wall of the house and then joined up to mate. Now, Red Admirals are very rarely seen mating at any time of the year. Obviously they do mate, as they are a common butterfly, but they must do it very discreetly normally. It is even rarer for a winter coupling and this could even be the first time its been photographed in the UK during the winter??</p><p style="text-align: center;">My first photo of this event was all done in a bit of a panic, as of course the camera was in the car already for the trip out. Even worse was the macro lens was upstairs in the house. I very quickly took a photo on the mobile, just to make sure I had some evidence, and then raced to the car and upstairs to get both the camera and lens I needed. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphWCSDhaCaq03Fzj-P6PZKUroBxR0sbV2UJaO9A2EQ9fRpyaKUzi3qBp5F4dsWkor01ns48oWgayGHflNy4UrPEm85llC5VCzA0Bq3ovcbNBNgY0l134f3JDA5TekqUoNsTaJufqV3Tx2kPH1pq59cezMlrpfNke4zMiPArBNolD_cF2U0-i6uRhCF2E/s2856/IMG_2648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1743" data-original-width="2856" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphWCSDhaCaq03Fzj-P6PZKUroBxR0sbV2UJaO9A2EQ9fRpyaKUzi3qBp5F4dsWkor01ns48oWgayGHflNy4UrPEm85llC5VCzA0Bq3ovcbNBNgY0l134f3JDA5TekqUoNsTaJufqV3Tx2kPH1pq59cezMlrpfNke4zMiPArBNolD_cF2U0-i6uRhCF2E/w640-h390/IMG_2648.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mating Red Admirals. (female with open wings and male behind her).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I then managed to get close enough to the wall to get both butterflies sharp, as at this point they were both closed wings. It was very difficult getting into the best position to get them sharp as it was shooting straight down from above them. After getting a few images I text Lisa, hoping she would get the message and that she would arrive before they flew. Fortunately, a couple of minutes later I saw her car draw up, and she managed to see and photograph this very rare event. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxFaxL91EjADFLNoH63xun4CCfNpk78lhLZcTKzpRhBUcOVnON78eMY5tgkGc2dizyTvHQMzr6KMQDym-Jl3Kd__56rTbtmx-9LnrL1P6GCJFe0_HVC2ggviCSfa0D3udf-dUhHW_f9Lu_XKL4Y7bSGAOCiUNDCg4oSWKEe6QMOCpdRY008hnNTiKetQ/s4200/ROB_7803%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2787" data-original-width="4200" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxFaxL91EjADFLNoH63xun4CCfNpk78lhLZcTKzpRhBUcOVnON78eMY5tgkGc2dizyTvHQMzr6KMQDym-Jl3Kd__56rTbtmx-9LnrL1P6GCJFe0_HVC2ggviCSfa0D3udf-dUhHW_f9Lu_XKL4Y7bSGAOCiUNDCg4oSWKEe6QMOCpdRY008hnNTiKetQ/w640-h424/ROB_7803%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mating Red Admirals. As seen from above them. (Female on left).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After we had both taken enough photos to ensure we had some sharp ones, we left them in peace and went off to hopefully see some Bearded Tits. 2 were seen, but it was without doubt that the Red Admirals had been the stars of the day!!!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Bob Eade.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15087975886344058082noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633531568827488212.post-38735001390561162142024-01-20T22:11:00.000+00:002024-01-20T22:11:30.966+00:00The Beautiful Bearded Reedling.<p style="text-align: center;"> The beautiful Bearded Reedling, most often called the Bearded Tit, is a wonderful bird that lives in the reedbeds. In Summer it is an insect feeder, but in the Winter, when there are few insects to feed upon, they turn to the seed-heads of the Reeds to feed on. </p><p style="text-align: center;">The best time to observe them is on cold, still days when they can be seen feeding in the reedbeds on the seed-heads. </p><p style="text-align: center;">As we have recently had a few really cold days with very light winds I have been searching for these lovely birds, hoping to get some nice photos of them. We have several reedbeds in Sussex where these birds are found, although my best photographs have always come from Dungeness in the past.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Three times I have been out in the past week, with my first attempt being with Lisa, who had always wanted to see them, but had never had the opportunity. Unfortunately, although it was a calm day when we tried, it was also very dull, so photography was going to be tough. The main target though was to at least see the birds and for Lisa to get a few record shots.</p><p style="text-align: center;">It was very early in our trip when we saw the first birds. I was carefully leading the way, but concentrating on the water in the meadow, which at times was quite deep, when Lisa spotted two Bearded Reedling just in front of us. For the next 90 minutes or so we were watching the birds that at one point numbered 5 birds, but mostly 4 birds. There were 2 males and 2 females for the majority of the time. Lisa managed to take quite a few photos although the birds generally stayed well hidden deep in the reedbeds. The light remained very poor, and as it was mid to late afternoon, the light of course, got much worse.</p><p style="text-align: center;">3 days later, the sun came out, and it was still light winds. Therefore I just had to go back and have another attempt. Lisa unfortunately was working, but conditions were so good I just had to try again. This time I met up with David, who I had been with for my best ever session with these birds back in January 2017. In the same area as 3 days earlier I quickly re-found the birds again. Once again, they stayed mostly deep in the reedbed, making it very difficult to get clear views and photographs of them. However, one of the females did feed for a short while on the edge of the reed-bed allowing some clear images.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAOOm9NpqT_ngpxlBmqD6nLVn3jep0EjL6wT23vQtU_PZd7ym5RBCpOhUNd-F9uYlUnfmMmuzZzy7JuireVttkY3hzJeC_jj4VQXlU14pEQvNKtOrnQWWf32-P7KgO1_CbH5QFp-U2V19FBjTPH_st7Mr4JhRSdH1htZrgbSM5zIZn3fnOfFSgck0T7Y/s4400/ROB_7603%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2432" data-original-width="4400" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAOOm9NpqT_ngpxlBmqD6nLVn3jep0EjL6wT23vQtU_PZd7ym5RBCpOhUNd-F9uYlUnfmMmuzZzy7JuireVttkY3hzJeC_jj4VQXlU14pEQvNKtOrnQWWf32-P7KgO1_CbH5QFp-U2V19FBjTPH_st7Mr4JhRSdH1htZrgbSM5zIZn3fnOfFSgck0T7Y/w640-h354/ROB_7603%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3EtTFs_n0gxf_8Gd2pWDbqv7LJDyvXRcLHnq2_sNNQBA4CF1J4SizhP-48NrXX8i-KbJXsAy0gSW2IfgjnMQOZHOljVuUs0pAfLa6-k75Ju5b4X1z4vdq9CqG97Y5xsd1Jre6vMg7O0GSiKoh2tZR61hMqvSbkLpeapmnWNH4sb61IGxk0Fy1VCvoIMc/s4000/ROB_7617%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2364" data-original-width="4000" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3EtTFs_n0gxf_8Gd2pWDbqv7LJDyvXRcLHnq2_sNNQBA4CF1J4SizhP-48NrXX8i-KbJXsAy0gSW2IfgjnMQOZHOljVuUs0pAfLa6-k75Ju5b4X1z4vdq9CqG97Y5xsd1Jre6vMg7O0GSiKoh2tZR61hMqvSbkLpeapmnWNH4sb61IGxk0Fy1VCvoIMc/w640-h378/ROB_7617%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgxOW-9mOKBnMZRAv1h2Fl7lK0VDK96Ef961uAZ0xNEmLKj4YVmvmubrQ8DaW4Evei_JTn0vYyAu-uZWbxdfb6kd2tvgyaCnTGGQQ63XTgTXxOxSpvuTSozCEhfWQ7EFSIoJB2r_VCDsWqJiDyeFZI29OkiYAoRS9CsZZwMOecX1QPNO9KvmAz2-ILMA/s4500/ROB_7618%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2571" data-original-width="4500" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgxOW-9mOKBnMZRAv1h2Fl7lK0VDK96Ef961uAZ0xNEmLKj4YVmvmubrQ8DaW4Evei_JTn0vYyAu-uZWbxdfb6kd2tvgyaCnTGGQQ63XTgTXxOxSpvuTSozCEhfWQ7EFSIoJB2r_VCDsWqJiDyeFZI29OkiYAoRS9CsZZwMOecX1QPNO9KvmAz2-ILMA/w640-h366/ROB_7618%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf8U-YXwlQfGPJ_5ju8jP_oHpDLQSR0q4HwYIHd9jcCG7jAE6pJ3Yw_LqQJSNnlDcHZmUuUAC934sMuUGjcuYljZSpMPC0-TUy7Kv3uNwtmVLON_kUjNut28WIF26Ux0x64D-3Bu-Rlit6aI4GgtmpybogAEr10s2G2qCQ0XMZ8Lj12eRC2KEjZ1je4k0/s2902/ROB_7659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2902" data-original-width="1788" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf8U-YXwlQfGPJ_5ju8jP_oHpDLQSR0q4HwYIHd9jcCG7jAE6pJ3Yw_LqQJSNnlDcHZmUuUAC934sMuUGjcuYljZSpMPC0-TUy7Kv3uNwtmVLON_kUjNut28WIF26Ux0x64D-3Bu-Rlit6aI4GgtmpybogAEr10s2G2qCQ0XMZ8Lj12eRC2KEjZ1je4k0/w394-h640/ROB_7659.jpg" width="394" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Female Bearded Reedling.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The female of this species is absolutely gorgeous, but the male is even more spectacular, so it was very frustrating seeing the 2 males in the group feeding quite close, but in the middle of the reedbed where photography was not viable. Eventually we moved to a different area of the site where another male and female were found. The reedbed here wasn't so dense, but once again the birds stayed in the middle of the reeds making it hard to get close shots. Towards the end of the session I did get a shot from distance of the male that I quite like.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjloubjhTCbYvx7nPM1Zat-NgawXEiVekq4Z9r1Nc_6naY9CbcDC98Pu4oZVHycOHRSt8ASdRlYKhZfVgbT9HtoS5h-T3-nfs7Rdqjz1fgjceNYctKskyKCFY1LQ7hY4gDHiBFdiNMcQIFPvsWYbRSfbS1PNheCRB6OVqApBozzvugc8kje9KbJYL2GtJU/s4500/ROB_7690%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2721" data-original-width="4500" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjloubjhTCbYvx7nPM1Zat-NgawXEiVekq4Z9r1Nc_6naY9CbcDC98Pu4oZVHycOHRSt8ASdRlYKhZfVgbT9HtoS5h-T3-nfs7Rdqjz1fgjceNYctKskyKCFY1LQ7hY4gDHiBFdiNMcQIFPvsWYbRSfbS1PNheCRB6OVqApBozzvugc8kje9KbJYL2GtJU/w640-h386/ROB_7690%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Male Bearded Reedling in the Reed-bed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The weather actually remained good for a couple more days, so another attempt was possible. Once again David joined me. The original birds were located again very quickly, but this time they were much more elusive, so it was back to the other area for the pair. At first there was no sign of them, but after a short while they were seen flying into the same area as they were before. Strangely, this time, instead of feeding on the Reed seed-heads they seemed to be enjoying the Reed-mace. It took quite a while again, but eventually a few shots of both the female and male feeding on the Reed-mace were achieved.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All these photos took a great deal of patience and several hours were spent on all 3 days, but when a bird is as good looking as these, it is time very much well spent.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYnJ4CliZMPui5BlfzhVBMU_jZKBJ5G3uL1igV3rzZceW2n8zHDqVNUnz8BlmucmaRd_qoYjQBDbIwfaP8UBbA7WyRTwE5c5pPtAYCZFCO6hWo9H891e8WUiqBWRD4VajAlWPbnc1VrA_cvD1DF8islzDx28o3Y2viOB7Oi3i5fZTrvx3oYFzpMasaYVc/s3500/ROB_7726%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2119" data-original-width="3500" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYnJ4CliZMPui5BlfzhVBMU_jZKBJ5G3uL1igV3rzZceW2n8zHDqVNUnz8BlmucmaRd_qoYjQBDbIwfaP8UBbA7WyRTwE5c5pPtAYCZFCO6hWo9H891e8WUiqBWRD4VajAlWPbnc1VrA_cvD1DF8islzDx28o3Y2viOB7Oi3i5fZTrvx3oYFzpMasaYVc/w640-h388/ROB_7726%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Female Bearded Reedling.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-muj4-7kYAisbh-n-rNDTBlQE1gs0rGemROPgJCt9vkMkIELoK1K1qD7CsPI6x_zEWa1vsxC716k4agHZpNOUwoZz3YZ45TBVtwvj0UHVov2CmSUdIiNf_KHGWQsP9pK-4QCOUz3parwQjSqVH1UYWWB8xiaKT3c0niKq31J0djPOWP6QBhhCCCHIMA/s3800/ROB_7755%20-%20Copy%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2165" data-original-width="3800" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-muj4-7kYAisbh-n-rNDTBlQE1gs0rGemROPgJCt9vkMkIELoK1K1qD7CsPI6x_zEWa1vsxC716k4agHZpNOUwoZz3YZ45TBVtwvj0UHVov2CmSUdIiNf_KHGWQsP9pK-4QCOUz3parwQjSqVH1UYWWB8xiaKT3c0niKq31J0djPOWP6QBhhCCCHIMA/w640-h364/ROB_7755%20-%20Copy%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyHSuWBzSIbC2sQ_EPwUrpe2nHFd-mCMl6nVThWHgML2IGwFIHlBOIR4f20xFeTXu17ve-G-4Rfo-qieqjE-d9vShEjZQ_kMeSArrMotIaAz982RE4Hk9ZsifbPSyfaJD5Agn680MIUHaUjkibSVoQT9qq4ODobYum0rZ0aik3dZDKVF8P878YAjGW2s/s5000/ROB_7799%20-%20Copy%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3122" data-original-width="5000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyHSuWBzSIbC2sQ_EPwUrpe2nHFd-mCMl6nVThWHgML2IGwFIHlBOIR4f20xFeTXu17ve-G-4Rfo-qieqjE-d9vShEjZQ_kMeSArrMotIaAz982RE4Hk9ZsifbPSyfaJD5Agn680MIUHaUjkibSVoQT9qq4ODobYum0rZ0aik3dZDKVF8P878YAjGW2s/w640-h400/ROB_7799%20-%20Copy%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Male Bearded Reedling.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Bob Eade.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15087975886344058082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633531568827488212.post-92177720724043764442024-01-17T16:49:00.000+00:002024-01-17T16:49:30.783+00:00Fungi.<p style="text-align: center;"> Towards the end of 2023 I did have a few little trips out and about, with a few different forms of fungi. The best day was in a West Sussex woodland with Lisa where we found several Magpie Inkcaps, a species that had managed to evade me up until that point, despite it being far from rare. On the same walk we did stumble across a couple of other interesting fungi, following on from seeing Parrot Waxcaps for the first time and a lovely display of Porcelain Fungi in East Sussex.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp24ZO8ea70GISRRX1o0R8nRZr9A4-xJ8UmPjtb-_AennkNgzhNULxL_KY5qCbAmh0o4WNBoBYvmLSmGHeCs50KVLLPBNqqH_FJGPzP5MBFPZNUrFwQdzBhFH4mhbUC6jmxtL2QDRQoT659Q5QoOTZ8OYBRHD5t7jtt3OfpY5_qByrZeAbhBZiBBD89Os/s4500/ROB_7351%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4500" data-original-width="2863" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp24ZO8ea70GISRRX1o0R8nRZr9A4-xJ8UmPjtb-_AennkNgzhNULxL_KY5qCbAmh0o4WNBoBYvmLSmGHeCs50KVLLPBNqqH_FJGPzP5MBFPZNUrFwQdzBhFH4mhbUC6jmxtL2QDRQoT659Q5QoOTZ8OYBRHD5t7jtt3OfpY5_qByrZeAbhBZiBBD89Os/w408-h640/ROB_7351%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="408" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Magpie Inkcap.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ZVXLPJDCU9oQVtEJXxl0bfelGyc4bC7JgQgTqQtCe2bn0JNInQ776wOGSfGNULBZjC1-AJ1mV5vsSpm5i3ZdUHr76lhshyBmv5xE9cH2o09igJmbaA07vdzO-m3yMD1QCP_NZRqW1w-EomqPQ7eEInI2sE1XoQXM7OWTb2e9oapjw-RtaJbh1D1a9gU/s4500/ROB_7359%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2747" data-original-width="4500" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ZVXLPJDCU9oQVtEJXxl0bfelGyc4bC7JgQgTqQtCe2bn0JNInQ776wOGSfGNULBZjC1-AJ1mV5vsSpm5i3ZdUHr76lhshyBmv5xE9cH2o09igJmbaA07vdzO-m3yMD1QCP_NZRqW1w-EomqPQ7eEInI2sE1XoQXM7OWTb2e9oapjw-RtaJbh1D1a9gU/w640-h390/ROB_7359%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fly Agaric.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2CVZ0OlWAaNCQ7JBtMLByfVblXBVStSyjS-0geqaMGq2OWpS-uEMNrgi1HrYtnUPmRkKkTTJebsbUN3uBv9xA0JSUIK-pzmnBIONogsbbvu4y12lXSw6WxV5r78lhNcrxiBQ29c3i77dQCacjChVKapcX_mw0Qq5MDCQqMxC1sHj3ZVBHq5gYsfmayY8/s4200/ROB_7323%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4200" data-original-width="2782" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2CVZ0OlWAaNCQ7JBtMLByfVblXBVStSyjS-0geqaMGq2OWpS-uEMNrgi1HrYtnUPmRkKkTTJebsbUN3uBv9xA0JSUIK-pzmnBIONogsbbvu4y12lXSw6WxV5r78lhNcrxiBQ29c3i77dQCacjChVKapcX_mw0Qq5MDCQqMxC1sHj3ZVBHq5gYsfmayY8/w424-h640/ROB_7323%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Parrot Waxcap.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjt96AtAR_P8z75GM48bp9UWaOv3vh9e1PgPdpMxIxGeuBfFNHugHG45ltsnX3SwvcHTXxtrxOZ2JEq6otAOMjKHlKy0rkLBy_DwU_P6Fo_9SprmBPbkEn5BxCRehGiz3jTzaiPPxEch9sAiaWEyYQDYx180JQbtASQKyYhr03CK7ICe3k1nL4uinfEEM/s4500/ROB_7310%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2596" data-original-width="4500" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjt96AtAR_P8z75GM48bp9UWaOv3vh9e1PgPdpMxIxGeuBfFNHugHG45ltsnX3SwvcHTXxtrxOZ2JEq6otAOMjKHlKy0rkLBy_DwU_P6Fo_9SprmBPbkEn5BxCRehGiz3jTzaiPPxEch9sAiaWEyYQDYx180JQbtASQKyYhr03CK7ICe3k1nL4uinfEEM/w640-h370/ROB_7310%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Porcelain Fungi.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">David and I also had an uneventful day to Dungeness, where all the birds we had hoped to see remained unseen!! Apart from a close view of a Great White Egret, that hardly warranted the long day, the camera stayed pretty quiet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKHDDTS9Hwm9sqsNrik0CTi_j4SyC4oWvlYc2A1ztqr016jRnwaZrFrFfXyEcPFB5N3ZzLreWK_y37EFgrApPJnk-NEXHcDedFkPotMKhjtwLq4cWQc8-2VVU7Yx1ImHB6nY6dNXHCulAQAbDn6Ws21JGhmm6GCfLFvg8RKx0OJLBZkQ7es_m5F7ok5C8/s4500/ROB_7395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2471" data-original-width="4500" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKHDDTS9Hwm9sqsNrik0CTi_j4SyC4oWvlYc2A1ztqr016jRnwaZrFrFfXyEcPFB5N3ZzLreWK_y37EFgrApPJnk-NEXHcDedFkPotMKhjtwLq4cWQc8-2VVU7Yx1ImHB6nY6dNXHCulAQAbDn6Ws21JGhmm6GCfLFvg8RKx0OJLBZkQ7es_m5F7ok5C8/w640-h352/ROB_7395.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Great White Egret.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On a walk from home in December, several Kestrels were seen. Some of them did allow a close approach too, which was rather nice. Especially as on a few walks I continued to miss the Long-billed Dowitcher, that was a first for East Sussex. It turned up in mid October, but wasn't seen by me on any of my visits until mid January. Fortunately it stayed around long enough for me to see it!! A grab shot of a Rock Pipit was the only other mini highlight for me. Far from a rarity, but one that rarely poses for a photo.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyITSJ2OFWc4XSwFus4hmogBKvupEIQzRqENWHZyZSNRRyswCE9Btm4AtOARLNXZaz2sHIbz6uGwKJ4TesOmNNdu5U5-3mzQuxRUu_9zjBqMVxqAivRl4hLyA5uqgAi4sYVUWuQ-_jptiX3V8qYRgoz9aSpszoxi69fbhFCXMK4k2689kqcD5QPTyhQU/s4878/ROB_7380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2957" data-original-width="4878" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyITSJ2OFWc4XSwFus4hmogBKvupEIQzRqENWHZyZSNRRyswCE9Btm4AtOARLNXZaz2sHIbz6uGwKJ4TesOmNNdu5U5-3mzQuxRUu_9zjBqMVxqAivRl4hLyA5uqgAi4sYVUWuQ-_jptiX3V8qYRgoz9aSpszoxi69fbhFCXMK4k2689kqcD5QPTyhQU/w640-h388/ROB_7380.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGU75z3Bw9fJdncyqx72NMQ5jwjDbESDmlxzuv0Tym2oiuYQMbwwh1BAw6FBOuDYUDvJbMzf8c0cb0naAyT1HcSWz8QQOG3-7LW3aaNgTSZeE_uiZlZk-R8GZQQiWhjzjzVI9zVNE7T0mYP5c4fOCgP4Tv9VhyphenhyphensOxH8QiJWStBsE6xm6xxZu4R3W-a7U/s3300/ROB_7386%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2052" data-original-width="3300" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGU75z3Bw9fJdncyqx72NMQ5jwjDbESDmlxzuv0Tym2oiuYQMbwwh1BAw6FBOuDYUDvJbMzf8c0cb0naAyT1HcSWz8QQOG3-7LW3aaNgTSZeE_uiZlZk-R8GZQQiWhjzjzVI9zVNE7T0mYP5c4fOCgP4Tv9VhyphenhyphensOxH8QiJWStBsE6xm6xxZu4R3W-a7U/w640-h398/ROB_7386%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Two different Kestrels.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkXNfgHYtJOrFDyNaSsL15RCbeq0Hr9UgUYGXhLHDP9w3p5zixsc7RRHEe4iy3zd241jLB1cCQ2uTAQaw9XpOGtuJ1qry_GgT7zkWqdFc32sdD6Nosxz0VaGW6gm1R-arzWLmmxCvQpjNkxiYv7lLnABVSzlxA9sxByoJ_XlIioUgmzpByTlp2WcSAVE/s3336/ROB_7391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2034" data-original-width="3336" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkXNfgHYtJOrFDyNaSsL15RCbeq0Hr9UgUYGXhLHDP9w3p5zixsc7RRHEe4iy3zd241jLB1cCQ2uTAQaw9XpOGtuJ1qry_GgT7zkWqdFc32sdD6Nosxz0VaGW6gm1R-arzWLmmxCvQpjNkxiYv7lLnABVSzlxA9sxByoJ_XlIioUgmzpByTlp2WcSAVE/w640-h390/ROB_7391.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rock Pipit.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Bob Eade.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15087975886344058082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633531568827488212.post-89829587825770793612024-01-12T10:32:00.003+00:002024-01-12T10:32:37.152+00:00Local Waxwings<p style="text-align: center;"> Just before Christmas the masses of Waxwing that have appeared this winter in the north started to head south into Sussex. </p><p style="text-align: center;">I eventually had 3 visits to see them, with hopefully more sightings still to come before they depart. Unfortunately for me, all but one of my visits were in very poor light, as the dull and dreary weather continued for many days.</p><p style="text-align: center;">With quite a large flock of 20 plus birds showing for many days at Hailsham, just around the corner from my son's house, that is where I went. The first visit I met David there and the birds were seen very quickly, however, it was very difficult getting any decent images in the light, and as they were generally staying quite high up in the trees, that also caused issues.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXs-J_IQ3UZnqZDr-pitMqnqPo54vdrvMEoZZj4gPlPN8NzUDVc1oxmMc9Gu3LcqmKfLwjHpszKs7MyUzS7P7CUcFrTrhL4K1_ykic-M7ijtpQjmi_NQWS9am7YnU0vT2HAdew5Knfm4QPbFVK36TDxEQ9VzhCmoZTpiLL_AFUcZE21Zi24dTLrakKhpw/s3800/ROB_7420%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3800" data-original-width="2452" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXs-J_IQ3UZnqZDr-pitMqnqPo54vdrvMEoZZj4gPlPN8NzUDVc1oxmMc9Gu3LcqmKfLwjHpszKs7MyUzS7P7CUcFrTrhL4K1_ykic-M7ijtpQjmi_NQWS9am7YnU0vT2HAdew5Knfm4QPbFVK36TDxEQ9VzhCmoZTpiLL_AFUcZE21Zi24dTLrakKhpw/w412-h640/ROB_7420%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="412" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Waxwing.</div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">A few days later, I took Lisa to see them, as it would be a new bird species for her. We also met David there. Once again the birds were in the same area, but the same problems occurred with the light.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5yymhWkY_rNv-5kvocz-8zvmgwNv3n8NLBfptSfZodTN4vnXFRo1PDbGx5TL-AgToIfxVUdW2dP3Ceb6b6Xz3hENf1KpxAxhI_fJ2wiHNo3JJnFRuVmgrWcS4eorNI1ENvi5HDDZzux_tKHRsL6PUCWrQU46TihUs6FQfeynMaK0FNNtGmUgOPhOEPY/s4500/ROB_7470%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2662" data-original-width="4500" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5yymhWkY_rNv-5kvocz-8zvmgwNv3n8NLBfptSfZodTN4vnXFRo1PDbGx5TL-AgToIfxVUdW2dP3Ceb6b6Xz3hENf1KpxAxhI_fJ2wiHNo3JJnFRuVmgrWcS4eorNI1ENvi5HDDZzux_tKHRsL6PUCWrQU46TihUs6FQfeynMaK0FNNtGmUgOPhOEPY/w640-h378/ROB_7470%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Waxwing. This bird landed just above Lisa's head.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Finally, another visit on a sunnier day, but the birds were not in the usual spot. We decided to walk along the trail where we had heard they had been spotted on and off the day before. Here we found them coming down to feed in the sunshine. We still struggled getting any really good shots, but it was a delight seeing these beautiful birds in good light.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyyJSi-xpr7enI8FYAlDX4GLE4M6etPAH_yIDsNSnKAZSAsgVg-sviUWRP99u5tZIlOqhRL9K9KafIxFpKRfAh_d8KZti_C74V82JWuxuStnPrPm1x8CQsA7gJRHLOfuS_W3XUaYi-114XeDKVUxBlSJ5-CnBxOFxXoENI9PpVaMc8Ce9QP55_T0l3QY/s3443/ROB_7483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3443" data-original-width="2172" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyyJSi-xpr7enI8FYAlDX4GLE4M6etPAH_yIDsNSnKAZSAsgVg-sviUWRP99u5tZIlOqhRL9K9KafIxFpKRfAh_d8KZti_C74V82JWuxuStnPrPm1x8CQsA7gJRHLOfuS_W3XUaYi-114XeDKVUxBlSJ5-CnBxOFxXoENI9PpVaMc8Ce9QP55_T0l3QY/w404-h640/ROB_7483.jpg" width="404" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Waxwing with a dirty crest.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHVOVezzF7LWirIWunlTO-pKmu-wC1erW7SexV2jPJIv344Mn9C5-JFw64Sn1DWa2Ks7T1ze9GaCt5Bg9TN82GwUrFGcN5jvEb-PDkmcbJKtD4XmZgvo6tNxlVI7gHa3i5jE-mgDBbUpEkkZ0B3rTvBG__TPvO4skUlrxYdX1CNA9z6b8UMleicf3ad4/s4100/ROB_7482%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4100" data-original-width="2705" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHVOVezzF7LWirIWunlTO-pKmu-wC1erW7SexV2jPJIv344Mn9C5-JFw64Sn1DWa2Ks7T1ze9GaCt5Bg9TN82GwUrFGcN5jvEb-PDkmcbJKtD4XmZgvo6tNxlVI7gHa3i5jE-mgDBbUpEkkZ0B3rTvBG__TPvO4skUlrxYdX1CNA9z6b8UMleicf3ad4/w422-h640/ROB_7482%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXg7YCcdfrrugIvJPo8Cjadd8f60McnPocujH6ybSHvYYhvpTYfV_gw4RetrQhziNVt-FE0E5wxcFgCKDOw4odQSUOX7bUA-kvAH3RmgEy1flngwoYo-u668wNpCty7rNsT7boBCyeIOd7YqtnN_-iGBxZreI4JTQgQdVzpCzODQbj7I-linFehk2Ujs/s4300/ROB_7503%20(2)%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4300" data-original-width="2720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXg7YCcdfrrugIvJPo8Cjadd8f60McnPocujH6ybSHvYYhvpTYfV_gw4RetrQhziNVt-FE0E5wxcFgCKDOw4odQSUOX7bUA-kvAH3RmgEy1flngwoYo-u668wNpCty7rNsT7boBCyeIOd7YqtnN_-iGBxZreI4JTQgQdVzpCzODQbj7I-linFehk2Ujs/w404-h640/ROB_7503%20(2)%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="404" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Waxwing. (Showing the red 'wax' marks on the wing).</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Bob Eade.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15087975886344058082noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633531568827488212.post-67676482094243497942023-12-29T09:24:00.001+00:002023-12-29T09:24:55.076+00:00The Lace Border Year.<p style="text-align: center;"> Since finding the beautiful, and rare Lace Border on my patch back in 2020 I seem to have taken on the role of monitoring them, almost like they are my own offspring!!</p><p style="text-align: center;">It has certainly been rather interesting and very rewarding though, with some astonishing results that point towards the probability that on my local site I get 3 broods. All the books I have say that there are only 2 broods, and although I cannot say for absolute certainty that I get 3 broods, the evidence certainly points to that.</p><p style="text-align: center;">The other colony on the edge of Friston Forest is not quite so clear, but each year the flight season does extend to a similar time to my colony, so the 3rd brood is also a distinct possibility there too.</p><p style="text-align: center;">The first flight season started with 4 moths being seen on May 21st at my local site. The peak in number came on June 12th when 22 were counted by myself and Neil Hulme.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7H2NnKN743ZDJnG0zUfkcXSRwTr-QsSmnpnTol5seigJGFw1Y3UmlPHJGj60mbLXwctX_Z6O5G-QTYu3LAXMfPTCcbssR2-rgrYCrECNyrqhegJDntV9s2lQqx6jC5PusEmXLz7tVZGF7JF8cb8uf6aca0NOOWYLfszT0tyfT0dYKLKmI1bOYwgbzzFI/s4200/ROB_3319%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2427" data-original-width="4200" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7H2NnKN743ZDJnG0zUfkcXSRwTr-QsSmnpnTol5seigJGFw1Y3UmlPHJGj60mbLXwctX_Z6O5G-QTYu3LAXMfPTCcbssR2-rgrYCrECNyrqhegJDntV9s2lQqx6jC5PusEmXLz7tVZGF7JF8cb8uf6aca0NOOWYLfszT0tyfT0dYKLKmI1bOYwgbzzFI/w640-h370/ROB_3319%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">21/5/2023. The first Sussex sighting for the year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnbnzVsHGIuZttMcQeelh15jinWhyphenhyphennZZVI51RATrP6eHsZu1IGhQkDkMP_gb72A3XuWyktjnYO5JG3InlH4FNY8O00TUydl3nyGZd2EbJqbv0PKa_pBHUvLSex0y6tpDFeuI0q99TwdmHXbos3q1WIB9p_LpTmelozWpTXccqiymc4swwtD_eKFBqDO0/s4500/ROB_3496%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2651" data-original-width="4500" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnbnzVsHGIuZttMcQeelh15jinWhyphenhyphennZZVI51RATrP6eHsZu1IGhQkDkMP_gb72A3XuWyktjnYO5JG3InlH4FNY8O00TUydl3nyGZd2EbJqbv0PKa_pBHUvLSex0y6tpDFeuI0q99TwdmHXbos3q1WIB9p_LpTmelozWpTXccqiymc4swwtD_eKFBqDO0/w640-h378/ROB_3496%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">31/5/2023.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> A much darker marked individual, the only one I have seen that was different to the normal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhxbuYEMx05MVt5rE3XplOXhd1_FIcR8IOIX8eyYkfDSzEtt_lm3YEh-yY0z46r3-gdoqbjac-kXytrprJEyGepxhdPChzFSgF0eN5vDtvCZ-N2l7pcN2mbTWzxPIE1i1NWM8hXFo8pNS2qX6jsNxlU94zpr-gAve4_biHelRWFekTmLsvz35BF9suA4U/s4200/ROB_3738%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2510" data-original-width="4200" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhxbuYEMx05MVt5rE3XplOXhd1_FIcR8IOIX8eyYkfDSzEtt_lm3YEh-yY0z46r3-gdoqbjac-kXytrprJEyGepxhdPChzFSgF0eN5vDtvCZ-N2l7pcN2mbTWzxPIE1i1NWM8hXFo8pNS2qX6jsNxlU94zpr-gAve4_biHelRWFekTmLsvz35BF9suA4U/w640-h382/ROB_3738%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">12/6/2023. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of the 22 counted. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Unfortunately for me, I had to leave Neil during the count for a Dr's appointment, when I left, Neil and I were approaching double figures, but I was still amazed with the final tally of 22 that Neil reached.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The 2nd brood started on the 14th July, so 55 days after the 1st brood starting. This brood then peaked with 24 moths on the 27th July. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The 2nd peak of the supposed 2nd brood was actually the highest count of the entire year, on September 11th, with an amazing 30 moths. This was 58 days after the 2nd brood started, so actually longer than the gap between the start of the 1st and 2nd brood and bearing in mind that the life cycle in the summer is likely to be faster than that of the spring, due to temperature, a 3rd brood is actually quite likely if conditions allow. The numbers between those two peaks also reduced to low single figures before that massive spike.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd385w0L3N_XaiImSj30RKPwif98fOMgDr77rpvZv1TfbK90FnKT455mjhkfTBsIn2mNkESzoH-l6VCuIt8egkgNJqTiSJMeZplHzlkaOJ-WVEmnPf-PPGo2qpSfYaIBqlbOe9AMVtNMs69HUp2E3kEuJ-frM_vo7sGsFk8DdYVTzAmbBm7WjkUnZlfqE/s4700/ROB_5092%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2796" data-original-width="4700" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd385w0L3N_XaiImSj30RKPwif98fOMgDr77rpvZv1TfbK90FnKT455mjhkfTBsIn2mNkESzoH-l6VCuIt8egkgNJqTiSJMeZplHzlkaOJ-WVEmnPf-PPGo2qpSfYaIBqlbOe9AMVtNMs69HUp2E3kEuJ-frM_vo7sGsFk8DdYVTzAmbBm7WjkUnZlfqE/w640-h380/ROB_5092%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">21/7/2023.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjND60pGdbM07zNXtDs6D0RY3jMk6O-3FLLXWUiZYqknC3qPm11Gt1P-sW-WtroIMlqUS2PoOU8QmmWOOIky_60lXKLOq_Tv6FJGDyJzxg1IEQNT_h7pKJPGo_GbttoShl7FmxBrtrwYvteBTtCWyoqp00FR2Q5ptZSizqx6_aQnYMky4kaJUdZWEjA5l0/s3400/ROB_5266%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2010" data-original-width="3400" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjND60pGdbM07zNXtDs6D0RY3jMk6O-3FLLXWUiZYqknC3qPm11Gt1P-sW-WtroIMlqUS2PoOU8QmmWOOIky_60lXKLOq_Tv6FJGDyJzxg1IEQNT_h7pKJPGo_GbttoShl7FmxBrtrwYvteBTtCWyoqp00FR2Q5ptZSizqx6_aQnYMky4kaJUdZWEjA5l0/w640-h378/ROB_5266%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">4/8/2023.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xcBEmIGxNNIs2xSqanbZuNgjhV0hqyulHx3SVaZqpDA31s-w5xYNUhCzA7QVJwRchmX4N3xtkTEkndYUp5kAZ5fIWRLXmBR5PDrUzFjMlO3GPuKIDkofmS__HgE1drxElwkNnrKV0ImgErapBRwczCl2LYDjMGQ1XlHZYrmk3Ofg_zM4xLZ5Y5k7boY/s4100/ROB_5481%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2447" data-original-width="4100" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xcBEmIGxNNIs2xSqanbZuNgjhV0hqyulHx3SVaZqpDA31s-w5xYNUhCzA7QVJwRchmX4N3xtkTEkndYUp5kAZ5fIWRLXmBR5PDrUzFjMlO3GPuKIDkofmS__HgE1drxElwkNnrKV0ImgErapBRwczCl2LYDjMGQ1XlHZYrmk3Ofg_zM4xLZ5Y5k7boY/w640-h382/ROB_5481%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">13/8/2023.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The gaps between the 3 peaks are 45 days and then 46 days, once again that seems to indicate a probability of a 3rd brood.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So with 3 peaks throughout the year, I feel that my colony at least is producing 3 broods. I did feel the same in 2022, but with that year I did wonder if the weather conditions were to blame for the 2nd brood fading away, and then returning with a flourish, after the long hot and dry summer period. I guess to prove it I need more data over a longer time period.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My personal count, over both sites were 143 sightings, consisting of at least 121 different moths. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Bob Eade.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15087975886344058082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633531568827488212.post-86535467284554627102023-12-23T17:44:00.000+00:002023-12-23T17:44:03.990+00:00Long-tailed Blue Life Cycle.<p style="text-align: center;"> 2023 was certainly another really good year for the Long-tailed Blue butterfly in Sussex with 100s of the butterflies seen in the county, mostly in West Sussex, although East Sussex also had some activity. This is the first year that I have managed to record all 4 stages of the butterfly, although some was at home as I did rear through a couple of butterflies from eggs.</p><p style="text-align: center;">My good friend Pete had many eggs laid in his Newhaven garden, and not for the first time. The problem for him though, and of course, the developing larvae and butterflies is that in the late summer the sun no longer hits his garden, so the larvae die as they either suffer from cold, mildew, or are eaten by slugs and snails. With this in mind, he asked me if I would like to collect a few eggs to rear through at home.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I am always reluctant to try this, but as the life cycle is so quick, I thought I would try, and that way I could hopefully record the whole life cycle on camera.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Having said that, most of the images in this post were actually taken in the wild. One local site I found around 60 eggs on the Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea, so I kept visiting the area hoping to see adult butterflies. However, very few were actually seen at the site, so after emerging as butterflies, it appeared that most quickly left the area. However, what was particularly pleasing was finding several feeding larvae. This often takes place inside the flower, so is therefore not often seen, but on a couple of occasions Lisa and I found some on the leaves of the plant. Having found so many eggs, and seeing plenty of butterflies, the only stage that I couldn't really achieve in the wild was the pupa. This however, I was lucky to see with one of the ones I brought home from Pete's garden, where it pupated in amongst a leaf, after it had made a small silk purse to pupate in. The only other pupa I had was formed actually in a flower head. This I found as I was clearing out the flowers that had gone mouldy. This pupa was a lot smaller than the one in the leaf. I assumed that the larger one was a female and the smaller one, a male. However, they actually emerged on the same day and were both female. Once I had the 2 pupa I passed on the other developing larvae, probably 4 more, to another friend to continue with the rearing, as I was soon to be away in Scotland, so I wouldn't be able to look after them properly.</p><p style="text-align: center;">As far as the adult butterflies went, I managed some lovely fresh male photos in Seaford, as well as plenty of more worn individuals in West Sussex. An egg laying female was also photographed in Seaford, and the 2 emerged females that were reared were beautiful, but very hard to photograph in the poor light I had at the time. What was interesting was both of the females very quickly took flight and both flew away strongly, despite the poor weather, in a southerly direction, heading straight for the sea. Of course, I do not know if they kept flying straight out to sea, or if they paused to feed up before migrating south. The other interesting thing was the size difference in the pupa followed through to the adults, with one being very much smaller than the other one despite them both being female.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixjnUoVKe-bmC70_9vdaY2DVpYObSe0CrI77JOnZPiCA3VwUH6IlAOMvHoLHaUKBGanF9rV_rma506uK_gSk4iJcXWtkd7-iQuc2-DyFF5pqp65KwoHH97Gsi7Vp4BHMpRR5PtmLoJy-T0clpAmHCoeYd-vj50A9BoieJCKqSaoO_YvzrPn8j1aiSuiYA/s2687/ROB_5948%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2687" data-original-width="1692" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixjnUoVKe-bmC70_9vdaY2DVpYObSe0CrI77JOnZPiCA3VwUH6IlAOMvHoLHaUKBGanF9rV_rma506uK_gSk4iJcXWtkd7-iQuc2-DyFF5pqp65KwoHH97Gsi7Vp4BHMpRR5PtmLoJy-T0clpAmHCoeYd-vj50A9BoieJCKqSaoO_YvzrPn8j1aiSuiYA/w404-h640/ROB_5948%20(2).jpg" width="404" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Long-tailed Blue ova.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCry2RB8lV34bEDHfCViOvtCiRQQMxFHj-4gfiOAps78QQl5OSRMHIWOT1WuhzzB0ywasel1zKNkJhhsZD4yH8bfbacvZ4iXg31cc3otXf9or_30yHVZB6BC5pyf4oGcvVxMhMx5nVvccu8jZvP-0pCc0HWfbJx1hFmXcBnyaT26cprmBpIGlAbdDKdus/s3200/ROB_6011%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3200" data-original-width="2100" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCry2RB8lV34bEDHfCViOvtCiRQQMxFHj-4gfiOAps78QQl5OSRMHIWOT1WuhzzB0ywasel1zKNkJhhsZD4yH8bfbacvZ4iXg31cc3otXf9or_30yHVZB6BC5pyf4oGcvVxMhMx5nVvccu8jZvP-0pCc0HWfbJx1hFmXcBnyaT26cprmBpIGlAbdDKdus/w420-h640/ROB_6011%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Long-tailed Blue larva.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QwNGmjMPrhMqF4vaPh2DbmQLHD4qY5jU_lpQk-EPrcMJaX_McVH5szwfH3kaF3EsMI2nJlHDXQyQAZtISvEvDilTepohLkZgpKbuWIyCeJ920MQwVcKUhsTmFnRSxCKlfog0ORyw2TER-2I1Y-4y4pitg2kRYH8IWJ8LSe4-o9F7mx9M5lGSX1Rq6to/s5690/ROB_6023%20-%20Copy%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3180" data-original-width="5690" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QwNGmjMPrhMqF4vaPh2DbmQLHD4qY5jU_lpQk-EPrcMJaX_McVH5szwfH3kaF3EsMI2nJlHDXQyQAZtISvEvDilTepohLkZgpKbuWIyCeJ920MQwVcKUhsTmFnRSxCKlfog0ORyw2TER-2I1Y-4y4pitg2kRYH8IWJ8LSe4-o9F7mx9M5lGSX1Rq6to/w640-h358/ROB_6023%20-%20Copy%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Feeding Long-tailed Blue larva.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUu5v_E4q3xZjWVe9HyqrhFmklxkraMNfcqfXNUwQg2OpGAEWQxxyu2FQs69LYAHOgy5uQJ6tS4WzvPXV1CifXG1_cxaPd2ZSnX_4rjQbq6rl9BTfPVmAb86pfhpL3nj5L3l37TLNoyAetJ-2P9ZiBJGqebwZpSW73Ipndxbx4ndQsprIgM_JAiVRvPqw/s3600/ROB_6016%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2182" data-original-width="3600" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUu5v_E4q3xZjWVe9HyqrhFmklxkraMNfcqfXNUwQg2OpGAEWQxxyu2FQs69LYAHOgy5uQJ6tS4WzvPXV1CifXG1_cxaPd2ZSnX_4rjQbq6rl9BTfPVmAb86pfhpL3nj5L3l37TLNoyAetJ-2P9ZiBJGqebwZpSW73Ipndxbx4ndQsprIgM_JAiVRvPqw/w640-h388/ROB_6016%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Long-tailed Blue larva.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1cLl49oYennapomtTL_ykbeXroiutJXd18dRbLa4dCDJ170UYpGw1i7AAJnBt9-Zq9vi3D4hnM1Qog-kIY3qncZ0QrJ91SQsypR1ggifG7o_JucyjiaPjsVGL7Ewu3cU5q2QA1wIr69hesBeQjWK4itxcus_STQItfWXABCQkUw4040w2ZGSvu67ZGJI/s4200/ROB_6057%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4200" data-original-width="2581" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1cLl49oYennapomtTL_ykbeXroiutJXd18dRbLa4dCDJ170UYpGw1i7AAJnBt9-Zq9vi3D4hnM1Qog-kIY3qncZ0QrJ91SQsypR1ggifG7o_JucyjiaPjsVGL7Ewu3cU5q2QA1wIr69hesBeQjWK4itxcus_STQItfWXABCQkUw4040w2ZGSvu67ZGJI/w394-h640/ROB_6057%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="394" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Long-tailed Blue larvae (reared).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><img border="0" data-original-height="2818" data-original-width="5000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-DoEPRH-b2zng7GI5vE82rve6aFtKUW91Yj-VZ0vmfxiFdkoudogJgbmcfNlVfCinm2Lx_KDfapVRONOm-mt4svdW3Pt-3v1Y3OgJnzBxZyVs_eNuYZds1dph44_99s7xhhL62ouuNgWF0CcpT94TN-7GIWmU48uLxNqEPvq8rqG1d6XVQiQYitqR3k/w640-h360/ROB_6040%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Long-tailed Blue pupa (reared).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzPg6ucVfbpMU7_LVXc7RKgJOGWodbLUg6DVzqOM5FMLF9bCy3em3hyphenhyphenZE-OiQDe_JCFhw2BA20FWIhEgmr3TOg3LkIsyAcnae1gAM33onJv4uKkVG-lcuUPfI4BzTTGtRYt_IAQs9IoiFBIBdXYoSGZJwlg0096ggdKHucR7PJxDXIE9avcTBD8jpFuQ/s3600/ROB_6071%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2217" data-original-width="3600" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzPg6ucVfbpMU7_LVXc7RKgJOGWodbLUg6DVzqOM5FMLF9bCy3em3hyphenhyphenZE-OiQDe_JCFhw2BA20FWIhEgmr3TOg3LkIsyAcnae1gAM33onJv4uKkVG-lcuUPfI4BzTTGtRYt_IAQs9IoiFBIBdXYoSGZJwlg0096ggdKHucR7PJxDXIE9avcTBD8jpFuQ/w640-h394/ROB_6071%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Long-tailed Blue pupa 8 days later (reared).</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgExnhDebn2Mev-zz7vdytRSo_C_bCvxuIS8jeqI3_G0qslLL9iOebpRsucltoNXqqjCQTQWqPxGq72RZmfrlNxNN-QwUnfhhvP6ZEOJLUjlhPCWaaU0mewY_IYtRW37UlN8daQIJYG4SKM360GmZVRUYgmNfwxFjPInVxtVhcNtP5lXWlB9lAG_EBWdVI/s4000/ROB_5943%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2332" data-original-width="4000" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgExnhDebn2Mev-zz7vdytRSo_C_bCvxuIS8jeqI3_G0qslLL9iOebpRsucltoNXqqjCQTQWqPxGq72RZmfrlNxNN-QwUnfhhvP6ZEOJLUjlhPCWaaU0mewY_IYtRW37UlN8daQIJYG4SKM360GmZVRUYgmNfwxFjPInVxtVhcNtP5lXWlB9lAG_EBWdVI/w640-h374/ROB_5943%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The female Long-tailed Blue that was seen laying the ova on picture one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Also note the feeding damage from larvae on the leaf to the right of the butterfly).</div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLeP_S54BdyugPbbs-_JVq-iRWX3PmSlNuwM6tEdHQ6jGEX02VF-DAu8ABOrWnVD2egVtbTTckDqZahUytpWtKfVF0cq42UGNeAcr0_GzuTYW9ElKr8U9iATbabv6E-M4g97X23oPASVTqPgq0NJ0UdK9joySORpA1WLx53HPPtYlzmpOJvb7MDItY5-Q/s4700/ROB_5951%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2777" data-original-width="4700" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLeP_S54BdyugPbbs-_JVq-iRWX3PmSlNuwM6tEdHQ6jGEX02VF-DAu8ABOrWnVD2egVtbTTckDqZahUytpWtKfVF0cq42UGNeAcr0_GzuTYW9ElKr8U9iATbabv6E-M4g97X23oPASVTqPgq0NJ0UdK9joySORpA1WLx53HPPtYlzmpOJvb7MDItY5-Q/w640-h378/ROB_5951%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fresh Male Long-tailed Blue.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ffkVd3Yc5NHV_BGXfRZRtBf2wuvbqVjllci1ecZFy1Ii8SIPERp3yIHS2NtaeJco1W5u1IWv0IpYL72fkpZg6gkVRUTMQAm8P3fNfMDVgmNq7muw_DZbmf1Q9Gq50UCFhNET-T0KHBieiafJayF6JZ1C0dQe9NLwIdtXpz_EDWPZgy9fyoCxtdwTry8/s4600/ROB_5954%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2831" data-original-width="4600" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ffkVd3Yc5NHV_BGXfRZRtBf2wuvbqVjllci1ecZFy1Ii8SIPERp3yIHS2NtaeJco1W5u1IWv0IpYL72fkpZg6gkVRUTMQAm8P3fNfMDVgmNq7muw_DZbmf1Q9Gq50UCFhNET-T0KHBieiafJayF6JZ1C0dQe9NLwIdtXpz_EDWPZgy9fyoCxtdwTry8/w640-h394/ROB_5954%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fresh Male Long-tailed Blue.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0ipwU4oH6VU5xfieXhY18_g7wxOTacbND3KtVOv8GQDf8MPTlse5Lz6eXBxzEBJ71yT9h6YTuoVTrdmqggQou6zXpGE4tYkbgBsVDzN4u6n1wpRG4zUPoSW6g9Hd2iwm-Gm2GFLVDWQlBXIsdUPxxqEcPiAO47dXLFumSHBeC3TNqJDV1Ht8gdgttsU/s3400/ROB_5962%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2202" data-original-width="3400" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0ipwU4oH6VU5xfieXhY18_g7wxOTacbND3KtVOv8GQDf8MPTlse5Lz6eXBxzEBJ71yT9h6YTuoVTrdmqggQou6zXpGE4tYkbgBsVDzN4u6n1wpRG4zUPoSW6g9Hd2iwm-Gm2GFLVDWQlBXIsdUPxxqEcPiAO47dXLFumSHBeC3TNqJDV1Ht8gdgttsU/w640-h414/ROB_5962%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Two Long-tailed Blue feeding on Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea flower.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtEKqnRZ7WCEUXyc7zrctfTkGF0SwwO02uQIWQUlyRlDhl1BhKulAQ712k8_i0B_9UxhLNruJECXJdYtVK5UbKyLe2KPUY4nsHysG0WYKlrlO4sl5sDSjSkOURCWNqlAGKIwFRHfDS39Dwh6Ennvhk06VCwlKu-WoTzvgqLTe3cpLZGrDIW0QSL4AJyM0/s6000/ROB_6263%20(2)%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3604" data-original-width="6000" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtEKqnRZ7WCEUXyc7zrctfTkGF0SwwO02uQIWQUlyRlDhl1BhKulAQ712k8_i0B_9UxhLNruJECXJdYtVK5UbKyLe2KPUY4nsHysG0WYKlrlO4sl5sDSjSkOURCWNqlAGKIwFRHfDS39Dwh6Ennvhk06VCwlKu-WoTzvgqLTe3cpLZGrDIW0QSL4AJyM0/w640-h384/ROB_6263%20(2)%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The larger Female Long-tailed Blue (reared).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9X3vMaoE3cVze4_J-w_s1fXoohOnoht2hKq1FZ74K_r2H2IkgYc1RkuwhLL6T3XHUZyoehWwTSvKur5nytyz6Q217mlzsYIDaKIT1fXFCDTb2gmXhiVQCQOAz5ArBrAOnzKPUzvP9zKqUsaoVAR06EHKCJmrhgWgUWNcr0kBfjifF1vckbgGUAddQiQ/s5600/ROB_6286%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3378" data-original-width="5600" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9X3vMaoE3cVze4_J-w_s1fXoohOnoht2hKq1FZ74K_r2H2IkgYc1RkuwhLL6T3XHUZyoehWwTSvKur5nytyz6Q217mlzsYIDaKIT1fXFCDTb2gmXhiVQCQOAz5ArBrAOnzKPUzvP9zKqUsaoVAR06EHKCJmrhgWgUWNcr0kBfjifF1vckbgGUAddQiQ/w640-h386/ROB_6286%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The smaller Female Long-tailed Blue (reared).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZL9gyvA2Mu2xwfMIUsvELV35iwrHEQldRX3FE_kQ17S24izsJObSLnFGC6gdIQEs-IFWVxBcXY1sBqnE1V1kVNdeHE1Gq3Hf697jk7MIxQjvwNWUntk67v6PC13YSRxZEBhom1bxSYsHk6Tbsquj5RW1AR2Xs-6NSfQyn1Fzz0sD1nvFNHBQoYl2d64s/s5400/ROB_6275%20(2)%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3170" data-original-width="5400" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZL9gyvA2Mu2xwfMIUsvELV35iwrHEQldRX3FE_kQ17S24izsJObSLnFGC6gdIQEs-IFWVxBcXY1sBqnE1V1kVNdeHE1Gq3Hf697jk7MIxQjvwNWUntk67v6PC13YSRxZEBhom1bxSYsHk6Tbsquj5RW1AR2Xs-6NSfQyn1Fzz0sD1nvFNHBQoYl2d64s/w640-h376/ROB_6275%20(2)%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Female Long-tailed Blue just before flying away (reared).</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Bob Eade.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15087975886344058082noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633531568827488212.post-3068824746507110642023-12-13T14:59:00.000+00:002023-12-13T14:59:35.985+00:00Shrike, Raven and Spanish Sparrow.<p style="text-align: center;"> My final blog from my Naturetrek trip to Fuerteventura are all from the same day. Three species of birds all performed extremely well for the camera and gave me my favourite shots from the trip.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">When Matt and I led this trip 2 years ago, we found a brilliant picnic area in the hills. The highlight that day, was the same as this year with a stunning Great Grey Shrike. The one this year wasn't as tame as the one from 2 years ago, when we were photographing it with our macro lenses. However, the one this year actually produced better, more natural results as it sat, searching for prey from a reasonably low perch. By me moving slightly, it was also possible to have a background of light mountain, rather than a dark tree. This certainly also helped give good results. I ended up taking lots of photos of the bird in this position, although it did fortunately change its pose several times, so not all the photos looked the same!!</p><p style="text-align: center;">The Great Grey Shrike that occurs in Fuerteventura is of the subspecies <i>koenigi. </i>During the week we had many sightings, more sightings than we had from either of the past 2 years, so the bird certainly appears to be doing very well there. We even had 3 of them around the hotel gardens throughout the week.</p><p style="text-align: center;">The images below are from the picnic area. It was very difficult knowing which ones to post, so I have posted several!! What a bird and what a performer though!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijABLfoV3cX9Q5oGYoNP0jQVsEDOxZIfjGyNKssrdH4n-LTlEVzuSwNGk-OeAAwDdSfKEcSQRnYig5tHms6l3pFTwKA2DwMsLhFFySIZxCsyul_btHVsinUxocmAt372VjSRVBy6rZQkA9mqxhn72FOY4YsPRAdYLbnvWNA2eEpS7znJlo5en-d6iciic/s3700/BOB_6823%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2152" data-original-width="3700" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijABLfoV3cX9Q5oGYoNP0jQVsEDOxZIfjGyNKssrdH4n-LTlEVzuSwNGk-OeAAwDdSfKEcSQRnYig5tHms6l3pFTwKA2DwMsLhFFySIZxCsyul_btHVsinUxocmAt372VjSRVBy6rZQkA9mqxhn72FOY4YsPRAdYLbnvWNA2eEpS7znJlo5en-d6iciic/w640-h372/BOB_6823%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQRpegNHak5dw9ktHBFjkkpG2Afq-Bv8tmfGVhg4o-fyu9ghXIbyHeU3dCDJ5ZYCG4p92QUQ_ZlOuah4zNOnPm7TSX7lTD5UyxmMK3srX0a4PFUE2dOPn5fz9lF1SZ7Z-h0UDBahD6DjtexSFw97h5Xx9xBHgsx8Kswqx1FnqxUxbgMaPrnKyFylYmaQ/s4000/BOB_6819%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2273" data-original-width="4000" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQRpegNHak5dw9ktHBFjkkpG2Afq-Bv8tmfGVhg4o-fyu9ghXIbyHeU3dCDJ5ZYCG4p92QUQ_ZlOuah4zNOnPm7TSX7lTD5UyxmMK3srX0a4PFUE2dOPn5fz9lF1SZ7Z-h0UDBahD6DjtexSFw97h5Xx9xBHgsx8Kswqx1FnqxUxbgMaPrnKyFylYmaQ/w640-h364/BOB_6819%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsA3PJAKTQrrQwAWqvZFB4J995HAMGdk7fVrNpOEmD9cPela23vG7SemYmZBWUz4dMMmXn3IGVYA1HL3M_ksYzlL_xlE3gnELa1AipGhTUURytWDPog88x3JodazUkVm-d3_xigbDQGZvKvfz4w4rdhYyBum_bQHSqpmscGl8KvDqXGz5GM16gXZ01FFs/s4000/BOB_6830%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2315" data-original-width="4000" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsA3PJAKTQrrQwAWqvZFB4J995HAMGdk7fVrNpOEmD9cPela23vG7SemYmZBWUz4dMMmXn3IGVYA1HL3M_ksYzlL_xlE3gnELa1AipGhTUURytWDPog88x3JodazUkVm-d3_xigbDQGZvKvfz4w4rdhYyBum_bQHSqpmscGl8KvDqXGz5GM16gXZ01FFs/w640-h370/BOB_6830%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7XDHlKIZ507BtUNBB9uMDAxSsEP0_JC5lYji87idhGcuiDfdXR_NxTxZBdUBK7abgtAqbthvCbj1fGrVoKisGofN4llhWE3ALZLTyXBP4RQ2kalqndYujCRXLEUa0gvJxtcdjE1X5TEkheaq6B5zUkDNQgciAaBR3ktgJtAqhv7k02Z1jwEtWYDZLhw/s4000/BOB_6833%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2389" data-original-width="4000" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7XDHlKIZ507BtUNBB9uMDAxSsEP0_JC5lYji87idhGcuiDfdXR_NxTxZBdUBK7abgtAqbthvCbj1fGrVoKisGofN4llhWE3ALZLTyXBP4RQ2kalqndYujCRXLEUa0gvJxtcdjE1X5TEkheaq6B5zUkDNQgciAaBR3ktgJtAqhv7k02Z1jwEtWYDZLhw/w640-h382/BOB_6833%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxsMm1FtkJynzM5KxiEx9Tp7MxyoEZKjl-4HfjFyi0JvDlOhJ9-04x7TUsDXgfWyaBJiuoJ1Clz_heL_V-O7LdmKL69cJ5J3xq4gfhNJorYpMpU5hR3iJNeEA2RlTWiPuen9sQUcwHE6xdWDo-FjmuFCJubj6c0l_FY4yahmVe_4P663SklCdzvTQQttk/s4000/BOB_6836%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2288" data-original-width="4000" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxsMm1FtkJynzM5KxiEx9Tp7MxyoEZKjl-4HfjFyi0JvDlOhJ9-04x7TUsDXgfWyaBJiuoJ1Clz_heL_V-O7LdmKL69cJ5J3xq4gfhNJorYpMpU5hR3iJNeEA2RlTWiPuen9sQUcwHE6xdWDo-FjmuFCJubj6c0l_FY4yahmVe_4P663SklCdzvTQQttk/w640-h366/BOB_6836%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Great Grey Shrike ssp. <i>koenigi.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">After the picnic lunch we moved a couple of miles to a Mirador with amazing views of the surrounding hillsides. As we were parking, a beautiful male Spanish Sparrow was sitting on the fence just outside the car. I quickly took a couple of shots of it, not realising that I would shortly be getting even better views of it on more natural foliage and a rock. In the meantime though, several Ravens were also sitting on the fence, allowing close approaches. In fact, one person was seen feeding it by hand!! I'm not sure I would risk getting a nip from a Raven!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_STvfQl7ubxU_uG4herIr0LCV-ABKZ2vZO2AXrXkPL2WdBnZERyNfaSKw5reouDOi0CgC1TsuxhYOj9fkezujtpD5lqu-MCto87oM871kvZvKjfujH_rzqjuH6vsa8P_CkZyLUeNDniHIXn5f7L02dNErx8tjkPP7ZvKi0XKeLIzwPWTUN-2uKL8efhY/s4000/BOB_6849%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2271" data-original-width="4000" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_STvfQl7ubxU_uG4herIr0LCV-ABKZ2vZO2AXrXkPL2WdBnZERyNfaSKw5reouDOi0CgC1TsuxhYOj9fkezujtpD5lqu-MCto87oM871kvZvKjfujH_rzqjuH6vsa8P_CkZyLUeNDniHIXn5f7L02dNErx8tjkPP7ZvKi0XKeLIzwPWTUN-2uKL8efhY/w640-h364/BOB_6849%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Male Spanish Sparrow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWlAh1fzmv1SoeVkIOq-UvJJPlnO94R7flcuLiFjTmdZLSxnKI-rfTb9VM6FLHtIpSV1CDqutOz7A93uNvvj_xQMO12JnkO9MopvOJ4_JbJH1QGYgOxjT0EgHfcqCE4T9syGqG0xEY0LnA8Tysa6RuGD7PLfi-1J5juTFJORzHrtV5tkRHHDYR6pGbCcY/s4500/BOB_6865%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2637" data-original-width="4500" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWlAh1fzmv1SoeVkIOq-UvJJPlnO94R7flcuLiFjTmdZLSxnKI-rfTb9VM6FLHtIpSV1CDqutOz7A93uNvvj_xQMO12JnkO9MopvOJ4_JbJH1QGYgOxjT0EgHfcqCE4T9syGqG0xEY0LnA8Tysa6RuGD7PLfi-1J5juTFJORzHrtV5tkRHHDYR6pGbCcY/w640-h376/BOB_6865%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Raven.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78PVZjeyqjBtXPDmocoFCUg2aYvaKLEm_XmiTV9DMwckC6hbM-zWrruFTj_w3c_g4Xs20_ZFMHz_tVE8_F662i6AO-wqiqyUYK1oZ7gvyC_EtK8EwDc-N2_dU5rtpSDB43ccJJzSAnbGEhyphenhyphenXC_Ykwa9GaZI4n65DBHaXsKo4zNQWYtmeO1I8h6qsXV3A/s4000/BOB_6859%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2297" data-original-width="4000" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78PVZjeyqjBtXPDmocoFCUg2aYvaKLEm_XmiTV9DMwckC6hbM-zWrruFTj_w3c_g4Xs20_ZFMHz_tVE8_F662i6AO-wqiqyUYK1oZ7gvyC_EtK8EwDc-N2_dU5rtpSDB43ccJJzSAnbGEhyphenhyphenXC_Ykwa9GaZI4n65DBHaXsKo4zNQWYtmeO1I8h6qsXV3A/w640-h368/BOB_6859%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Male Spanish Sparrow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFkJIgZWvXPvIiOxrQlZvZ3z_eOhXEwHzSjdMLM-RNIATk35q-yWTFf7ALL5jAfz_iEE1r69nNVvkSlWfz-bm_z3hd3OVDxfuBY7Wyu1ireKcHV0WHvyjJGvf_yIV64259EWtJ_hkh4XVx8Zra-NLDq7is3kU59IJV8bNiZH5lRW49H5k11oqyQWaxI7Q/s4000/BOB_6862%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2286" data-original-width="4000" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFkJIgZWvXPvIiOxrQlZvZ3z_eOhXEwHzSjdMLM-RNIATk35q-yWTFf7ALL5jAfz_iEE1r69nNVvkSlWfz-bm_z3hd3OVDxfuBY7Wyu1ireKcHV0WHvyjJGvf_yIV64259EWtJ_hkh4XVx8Zra-NLDq7is3kU59IJV8bNiZH5lRW49H5k11oqyQWaxI7Q/w640-h366/BOB_6862%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Male Spanish Sparrow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My favourite photo from the entire trip.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Who would have thought a sparrow would have been that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, another trip to Fuerteventura has ended. It certainly is a treat visiting the island during our winter, and getting some warmth and sunshine. Many more friends made and many wonderful moments. My thanks to all the group, and to Richard, my co-leader for making it such a memorable tour.</div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Bob Eade.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15087975886344058082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633531568827488212.post-12491959208413110022023-12-11T10:22:00.003+00:002023-12-11T10:22:46.837+00:00Close Encounters in Fuerteventura.<p style="text-align: center;"> As with most trips I have, the smaller creatures that I encounter give me the biggest thrills. This can be because many others would miss them perhaps. It's also a thrill finding creatures that are unusual and rarely seen, and that is the case with my favourite Grasshopper, a species that I have found twice now on Fuerteventura. A very colourful species, that I spotted on the first Naturetrek trip back in 2021. It took quite a while to pin down the name of the species that year, as it was a case of googling grasshopper with yellow legs, or white antennae. Eventually we found the name as Dericory's lobata luteipes, a subspecies of a desert grasshopper, and only found on Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. There are few photos of it too online, or indeed records of the insect.</p><p style="text-align: center;">The finding of it this year was very near the spot that I came across it in 2021, along Berranco de La Torre. The group had all headed back to the vans for our picnic lunch, with just Janet looking for a Sardinian Warbler that was calling in a bush. I stopped to see if I could help to spot the bird when the grasshopper jumped near where I was standing. Looking through the binoculars I realised it was the colourful species. Unfortunately, the rest of the group were far away by this time, but at least Janet had some great views of it. I quickly changed to the macro lens so I could get some more detailed images of it.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEh8VH0o0u2xHdywqh2az3g7KFmvPAnFAvqkIKqyBhG4RC8wMzSJ6B9O-6FP9_lHay1w0e4l2JwGlxW_dIVJEMFHjrQwkXoItCqKqTiFlRPyXWsQRUAoYHEljEd6HFkygFKKhKsLu4vng6DHKtT45u2FjemagnEuruZ42SB1pFL4ncWSWmYOqa35MWms/s3600/BOB_6717%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2104" data-original-width="3600" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEh8VH0o0u2xHdywqh2az3g7KFmvPAnFAvqkIKqyBhG4RC8wMzSJ6B9O-6FP9_lHay1w0e4l2JwGlxW_dIVJEMFHjrQwkXoItCqKqTiFlRPyXWsQRUAoYHEljEd6HFkygFKKhKsLu4vng6DHKtT45u2FjemagnEuruZ42SB1pFL4ncWSWmYOqa35MWms/w640-h374/BOB_6717%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Dericory's lobata luteipes.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">A new species for me this year was a spectacular fly, a Band-eyed Drone Fly. This was during a short session of trying to find some roosting Lang's Shot-tailed Blues in the hotel garden. I found it during a cloudier and cooler period, so it was actually asleep, so I was able to show it to some of the group and photograph it, although the light was at this time quite poor. The eye of his species is absolutely amazing!!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO58WiNIjWuXiQUktzp_pxfKUhr7nsdoooS9GoAPma0MOURenG4MgNQcdmS8_nnK1L9sL4dT0rsAnfKwPfXaWyh3Af3EXWAqbbPYZcU0w0a0x4ylqxS_1enW29141QBex7umf0PSt12v00Qmlg2IHZPvNgzFWoCgXnpWHuFnHhupDxM8RGMp8yG2qTF9g/s3432/BOB_6640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2020" data-original-width="3432" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO58WiNIjWuXiQUktzp_pxfKUhr7nsdoooS9GoAPma0MOURenG4MgNQcdmS8_nnK1L9sL4dT0rsAnfKwPfXaWyh3Af3EXWAqbbPYZcU0w0a0x4ylqxS_1enW29141QBex7umf0PSt12v00Qmlg2IHZPvNgzFWoCgXnpWHuFnHhupDxM8RGMp8yG2qTF9g/w640-h376/BOB_6640.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Band-eyed Drone Fly.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">The Lang's Short-tailed Blues also gave me a few opportunities during the week. This was the only butterfly seen in reasonable numbers this year. Both butterfly and dragonfly numbers were well down on previous years, with only 2 Monarch seen, a handful of Plain Tiger, 2 Clouded Yellow, around 10 Painted Lady and a single African Grass Blue. On the dragonfly front, a few Blue Emperor and Red-veined Darter were found along with very small numbers of Sahara Bluetail and Broad Scarlet.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95C8ssCyk3GyiyaCjKH6jNG8pyCVmsuHXwEdzgfPohZHQktMW6gLIVmDezGPTX36agq2ZcoY-NB_oQ6Z-7UG_DsN04ddrJ_zEHDfW91Q_uX6jINJPkJKuE66SJOsS2mSM4kWYs97Pj315BsjNSoPnur1WwLskBc1Kyy_lBJbDyI-13dgP9fIZNVzsY0M/s3904/BOB_6729%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2444" data-original-width="3904" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95C8ssCyk3GyiyaCjKH6jNG8pyCVmsuHXwEdzgfPohZHQktMW6gLIVmDezGPTX36agq2ZcoY-NB_oQ6Z-7UG_DsN04ddrJ_zEHDfW91Q_uX6jINJPkJKuE66SJOsS2mSM4kWYs97Pj315BsjNSoPnur1WwLskBc1Kyy_lBJbDyI-13dgP9fIZNVzsY0M/w640-h400/BOB_6729%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQl8-5ohvE72qGGhVscMYGvwipLMpIGhSggNZFSAoQH70Y7zhsaYqBOqwwnfivpKIlsWySjEsK4l9RKi7wSMmxVBvVIH5ouRGMlwbCHvphvFHYisSWGQQNvcjmL7nOOvaBxJ7MaxOrOVt7GjvYKlGjobMOL4axGirR9ZIV8dK7knwPyoqpZfFB9z8Eu0/s3888/BOB_6735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2312" data-original-width="3888" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQl8-5ohvE72qGGhVscMYGvwipLMpIGhSggNZFSAoQH70Y7zhsaYqBOqwwnfivpKIlsWySjEsK4l9RKi7wSMmxVBvVIH5ouRGMlwbCHvphvFHYisSWGQQNvcjmL7nOOvaBxJ7MaxOrOVt7GjvYKlGjobMOL4axGirR9ZIV8dK7knwPyoqpZfFB9z8Eu0/w640-h380/BOB_6735.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lang's Short-tailed Blue.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Most of the small number of Plain Tiger were along the same Berranco as the grasshopper. There were also, as last year, plenty of larvae feeding on the Apple of Sodom plants, with the odd adult flying around the plants looking for egg laying leaves.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhYBUJJeqP5i-oh9B1v68F_qBzo3lH1dpnSEm8Y1ty7COXicvXM3rUVC-VOuaFBA_EzOkWUCNUKFQBXP-jk-ApIVsUt-YN0xBxMuM67LpM-vMZ5N7Wi-n2m3kWkqOutxC34YtzaR40zlD4mAOI2G_2YMp0qcVecXqR4f_bzQzQSuxg_9I7b8xkEQzCX4/s2540/BOB_6685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2540" data-original-width="1712" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhYBUJJeqP5i-oh9B1v68F_qBzo3lH1dpnSEm8Y1ty7COXicvXM3rUVC-VOuaFBA_EzOkWUCNUKFQBXP-jk-ApIVsUt-YN0xBxMuM67LpM-vMZ5N7Wi-n2m3kWkqOutxC34YtzaR40zlD4mAOI2G_2YMp0qcVecXqR4f_bzQzQSuxg_9I7b8xkEQzCX4/w432-h640/BOB_6685.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Plain Tiger larva moulting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Mi3TbFWQ4v6YkkZLUrkJWZZz_0_32jxw2r03-rjMQfhjsYCkNVqYNRpv3k9aJAL6IGpbzCdMfqaWnxFuI_z1GCFP2M-b8nyGHUdajdUlIuyVkwLlodWu668qNo3Ekv44neq7wCau-aa94Wquk7Fx2GYlsZ98S8oejKzDW9n5cQ4Ki3FCrz5LD80kp_w/s3500/BOB_6699%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2131" data-original-width="3500" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Mi3TbFWQ4v6YkkZLUrkJWZZz_0_32jxw2r03-rjMQfhjsYCkNVqYNRpv3k9aJAL6IGpbzCdMfqaWnxFuI_z1GCFP2M-b8nyGHUdajdUlIuyVkwLlodWu668qNo3Ekv44neq7wCau-aa94Wquk7Fx2GYlsZ98S8oejKzDW9n5cQ4Ki3FCrz5LD80kp_w/w640-h390/BOB_6699%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Plain Tiger larva.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic30OKHfv1fw3TjdMiZE_E4RNo8gjQTd1KDyOytzLh3mA3zzBMzbYO08aD5731HOWkksUvoIUzTFK5XU6MFP6yPfuK7cXioWvnE3aR66ykyClzZ3I9KRgsb8izpjI9HJ8wotetvBLhKAroyAMOkD9CFEhJZ5pMe27g90lfOUjw5T4w7IkCeJo5QxFOE9s/s3800/BOB_6883%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2239" data-original-width="3800" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic30OKHfv1fw3TjdMiZE_E4RNo8gjQTd1KDyOytzLh3mA3zzBMzbYO08aD5731HOWkksUvoIUzTFK5XU6MFP6yPfuK7cXioWvnE3aR66ykyClzZ3I9KRgsb8izpjI9HJ8wotetvBLhKAroyAMOkD9CFEhJZ5pMe27g90lfOUjw5T4w7IkCeJo5QxFOE9s/w640-h378/BOB_6883%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Plain Tiger adult.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOwn3gcFet_Rus-rO5IZEIR7qzwvHYf0vd6dbbVVUpqBtLzZ5cOB2hnL5lnX8spkHUNcPbl2JhtYHBvVifYuhy1UdhEaAHUV7DLiZ0ZVefX_WxiAaJiScVRtoOb3AIis3sbDD-in_4Ev9rxKutciQJGZIvGTiqhln0bG495ne1_W9c5znoNNNWOFdRs0/s3588/BOB_6682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2172" data-original-width="3588" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOwn3gcFet_Rus-rO5IZEIR7qzwvHYf0vd6dbbVVUpqBtLzZ5cOB2hnL5lnX8spkHUNcPbl2JhtYHBvVifYuhy1UdhEaAHUV7DLiZ0ZVefX_WxiAaJiScVRtoOb3AIis3sbDD-in_4Ev9rxKutciQJGZIvGTiqhln0bG495ne1_W9c5znoNNNWOFdRs0/w640-h388/BOB_6682.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Female Red-veined Darter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Last year a small colony of Banded Garden Spider were found at a different Berranco. With the tour being a couple of weeks later this year, I wasn't sure if they would still be around, but when we checked out the site we found several spiders as well as huge numbers of egg sacks. This spider is quite new to the island, with the first record coming from 2016. It is obviously doing very well at this particular site. As with the grasshopper, I have kept an eye open for both species at different sites, but have only found both of them again at the same sites where I have had them before. The spider is a close relative to the Wasp Spider found in the UK.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1fPCm2Li7eBjN9Tf9wMOr0kPG0ncFtEsxzkQtt8HkRPBKBMhVSSHgyTAABLRwyxXq5TNril5jg_zGKXBsD1JmNSuebioTYMArvcf180h5XpFFmdeCsAiJMUOZ5YTeqHgWTEV0ec3MmRBjTcLkowEz-H8Y84fiCE6LAnkuAgA16_APUEYgEIYkG-iATs/s4700/BOB_6894%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2856" data-original-width="4700" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1fPCm2Li7eBjN9Tf9wMOr0kPG0ncFtEsxzkQtt8HkRPBKBMhVSSHgyTAABLRwyxXq5TNril5jg_zGKXBsD1JmNSuebioTYMArvcf180h5XpFFmdeCsAiJMUOZ5YTeqHgWTEV0ec3MmRBjTcLkowEz-H8Y84fiCE6LAnkuAgA16_APUEYgEIYkG-iATs/w640-h388/BOB_6894%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikftvH0QbKyGd8jw9xsH82q21Z_yLo7HsJtEE5nfLKtyC6TlX7q7eQtLIivK_tZoX9Lt0OaCLCH2E3rMHM1-O5ZKQ_pZqCLwtJeFHRFRXaMsiyJnEeGHGR8zbu7z6j04kHh2kTABPYsL_pJ7F3UX7pJFcesXe86cBHQTZmIfV_Kl0rWj1ZAxDrYR10lA/s4000/BOB_6900%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2445" data-original-width="4000" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikftvH0QbKyGd8jw9xsH82q21Z_yLo7HsJtEE5nfLKtyC6TlX7q7eQtLIivK_tZoX9Lt0OaCLCH2E3rMHM1-O5ZKQ_pZqCLwtJeFHRFRXaMsiyJnEeGHGR8zbu7z6j04kHh2kTABPYsL_pJ7F3UX7pJFcesXe86cBHQTZmIfV_Kl0rWj1ZAxDrYR10lA/w640-h392/BOB_6900%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Garden Banded Spider (Agriope trifasciata).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Bob Eade.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15087975886344058082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633531568827488212.post-29247954810445159492023-12-07T15:22:00.000+00:002023-12-07T15:22:24.344+00:00Sally Lightfoot Hangs On.<p style="text-align: center;"> One of the many highlights for me in Fuerteventura are the wonderfully coloured Sally Lightfoot crabs, that are found on the rocks along the shoreline. </p><p style="text-align: center;">The reason the crabs get their unusual name is rumoured to come from a Caribbean dancer that had great movement and agility, very much like the crab. They can certainly hang on to the rocks despite being regularly hit and covered by some very powerful waves. The photo below shows tendrils hanging from the legs of the crab that probably help it to cling on to the rocks.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawxrGazHIbRFkysou0JUgXDpv9iqOyIS9r5sazjwr5OyKUbZ5D6g7VAcRR8Hw4Y2o6AkVEr5aFvdqrN_qfqiowFvOr8i038BQl0xqHfmqwVxkx1mWXxMlnQR7OiNr85W5skpMugqAE5v5W3RBjrGNDLcV0zMRvubn83asFd-454WWFlZYizhsQ7_7_O4/s4600/BOB_6778%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2705" data-original-width="4600" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawxrGazHIbRFkysou0JUgXDpv9iqOyIS9r5sazjwr5OyKUbZ5D6g7VAcRR8Hw4Y2o6AkVEr5aFvdqrN_qfqiowFvOr8i038BQl0xqHfmqwVxkx1mWXxMlnQR7OiNr85W5skpMugqAE5v5W3RBjrGNDLcV0zMRvubn83asFd-454WWFlZYizhsQ7_7_O4/w640-h376/BOB_6778%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Sally Lightfoot Crab.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Often a larger wave totally covers the crab, but the crab remains sitting happily after the wave has gone.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mWSzBovV3PsIpV5VGYZ7v7KEXXAHlD0qAUaM9BFc_DL5zxVny6RyATQ7L52tkswI7wP05x_NZNmXFpv2mIsokxBW6KwHS7DLdadZKrBQEocDKh-eSXa7rLYZ0W30LHdzDYNm9j1LOe6db0X8-k2Eg-y4EKzNgXXuy0oHpZ0qhegFCCkNPzsQiQkivgk/s4200/BOB_6781%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2485" data-original-width="4200" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mWSzBovV3PsIpV5VGYZ7v7KEXXAHlD0qAUaM9BFc_DL5zxVny6RyATQ7L52tkswI7wP05x_NZNmXFpv2mIsokxBW6KwHS7DLdadZKrBQEocDKh-eSXa7rLYZ0W30LHdzDYNm9j1LOe6db0X8-k2Eg-y4EKzNgXXuy0oHpZ0qhegFCCkNPzsQiQkivgk/w640-h378/BOB_6781%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Sally Lightfoot Crab covered by a wave.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYL7ifSDbvui-AbOFk14CaVx5OM877vcGQPZHWnCXta55jf7A0ibt7JURA4IWq6tKaKkRVa14ojRKswwRAvZ2TCC8g7dGyS_FG2vjpTnRk5eeJw-gDdnCqSL4j7wUMpe8btFW6Wbw_bBWlvFkA0MAM9tBwuQaT17iTK1q4QydAOROG7gwKoKtr4W5cjY/s3800/BOB_6799%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2311" data-original-width="3800" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYL7ifSDbvui-AbOFk14CaVx5OM877vcGQPZHWnCXta55jf7A0ibt7JURA4IWq6tKaKkRVa14ojRKswwRAvZ2TCC8g7dGyS_FG2vjpTnRk5eeJw-gDdnCqSL4j7wUMpe8btFW6Wbw_bBWlvFkA0MAM9tBwuQaT17iTK1q4QydAOROG7gwKoKtr4W5cjY/w640-h390/BOB_6799%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Sally Lightfoot dancing to I'm Still Standing!!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Atlantic Lizards are also quite numerous on Fuerteventura. We even had some in the hotel grounds, where one had presumably been caught by one of the cats in the grounds, as it had lost its tail.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DDazfDfso2q61Qvt6-i9rNuxEVRJbKKlYKU8-eOZFHLldmxkeoSgBFlteW8pbFrczSnaDJVtpXnjiLpF-IktkiZZ6V5i09TOZ-ywRk-5S4_K-8-RcOyVKN_TBQtPC0F269UEWeuJeG50d-d3w2qhyphenhyphenAby-rOvlYB-hYTjjQxFHPS6nOX-_svLdzm5a5A/s3800/BOB_6886%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2130" data-original-width="3800" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DDazfDfso2q61Qvt6-i9rNuxEVRJbKKlYKU8-eOZFHLldmxkeoSgBFlteW8pbFrczSnaDJVtpXnjiLpF-IktkiZZ6V5i09TOZ-ywRk-5S4_K-8-RcOyVKN_TBQtPC0F269UEWeuJeG50d-d3w2qhyphenhyphenAby-rOvlYB-hYTjjQxFHPS6nOX-_svLdzm5a5A/w640-h358/BOB_6886%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the Lizard in the hotel grounds that had lost its tail. The wall must have been quite warm, so it held a foot up. I'm sure he wasn't waving at me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLnyMvlDMBJCNtk9tUnb4sDqYSu0xSkS_bhf82N1bjJxmXhS-ceD1uHhhHLKNYhvQgk8k4p2JdQ2c6d_O44nTzaNreoIpRhtxMaSPb8kZqbWM2t7lTnmvwjQp-wss9zH6ARm2iY3hy_6zjsw4Vohld6exQGQJk7BFPVAJxg8st5CSpIpCB__C6GhSGDI/s4700/BOB_6915%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2445" data-original-width="4700" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLnyMvlDMBJCNtk9tUnb4sDqYSu0xSkS_bhf82N1bjJxmXhS-ceD1uHhhHLKNYhvQgk8k4p2JdQ2c6d_O44nTzaNreoIpRhtxMaSPb8kZqbWM2t7lTnmvwjQp-wss9zH6ARm2iY3hy_6zjsw4Vohld6exQGQJk7BFPVAJxg8st5CSpIpCB__C6GhSGDI/w640-h332/BOB_6915%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoEqBf4WSlv-I6PN5D5L_ubvnNoU52f6IjF6HR2v5-J0E1nBgjIL2Eqes3YDuMS-a0at0PDTRjyKwMMSGL_jMfZglbwULHAZZlkXCjQMSdiCHbpczMUF57EX4MFn7IrohbpJxXehlHXno6ves0W4Pg58RnXOqGFt4Y-XZUEqXti3plOs_j8fOocivesrU/s3800/BOB_6919%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1957" data-original-width="3800" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoEqBf4WSlv-I6PN5D5L_ubvnNoU52f6IjF6HR2v5-J0E1nBgjIL2Eqes3YDuMS-a0at0PDTRjyKwMMSGL_jMfZglbwULHAZZlkXCjQMSdiCHbpczMUF57EX4MFn7IrohbpJxXehlHXno6ves0W4Pg58RnXOqGFt4Y-XZUEqXti3plOs_j8fOocivesrU/w640-h330/BOB_6919%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Atlantic Lizard near Los Molinos.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As ever the Barbary Ground Squirrels caused much entertainment as they ran about in the rocky terrain. In some areas they were extremely tame, those areas where they know they stand a chance of some food.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKaceaTl_071k1zIUWabaoIre8OLw0XZBtHTG0ZoLF4EH_qDVKnx373RLyXIGGz1WGPWH4YnUHFODGLjDi6b9mHMgxYESHDkuxCX3RS3mZIJPevbmPejD_frVMmLBRN6lX9asN07eV4IPHV6WxAuU2MAa8fyIOWaQaG0xjOYgq3GEM2if6cwZfs-aFgGA/s4540/BOB_6612%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4540" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKaceaTl_071k1zIUWabaoIre8OLw0XZBtHTG0ZoLF4EH_qDVKnx373RLyXIGGz1WGPWH4YnUHFODGLjDi6b9mHMgxYESHDkuxCX3RS3mZIJPevbmPejD_frVMmLBRN6lX9asN07eV4IPHV6WxAuU2MAa8fyIOWaQaG0xjOYgq3GEM2if6cwZfs-aFgGA/w640-h400/BOB_6612%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXEJXDfs1Wd9h9T0hzBGOuZMPlquDMrQ-fxG4luZNuOYicGZynlp-1aI7PCYTl9fRWLzRzlPw8kTyyN6l4JGiECMbsWXxgTyK38njD0qCo58gIKu8YSqfCpycoLlO3BVMpklzPVs32H6Si09UkNVuBIdkQNHu2br6MJzR5fGaWZYxePKb8INW7jIIPgY/s3800/BOB_6803%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2330" data-original-width="3800" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXEJXDfs1Wd9h9T0hzBGOuZMPlquDMrQ-fxG4luZNuOYicGZynlp-1aI7PCYTl9fRWLzRzlPw8kTyyN6l4JGiECMbsWXxgTyK38njD0qCo58gIKu8YSqfCpycoLlO3BVMpklzPVs32H6Si09UkNVuBIdkQNHu2br6MJzR5fGaWZYxePKb8INW7jIIPgY/w640-h392/BOB_6803%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Barbary Ground Squirrel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My next post from Fuerteventura will be about some of the smaller creatures we found.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Bob Eade.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15087975886344058082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633531568827488212.post-65671760119500374852023-12-06T17:40:00.002+00:002023-12-06T17:42:42.827+00:00Return to Fuerteventura.<p style="text-align: center;"> I have recently returned from another fabulous trip to Fuerteventura, co-leading a group for Naturetrek for the 3rd time. Richard and I had the pleasure to be able to show our 11 clients some wonderful wildlife on this Canary Island. Although the trip is mainly centred around the birdlife, we also managed to find some superb unusual insect life, so I was in my element!!</p><p style="text-align: center;">It really is difficult knowing where to start, but with so many favourite moments I will start with some of the birds we found.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">The first day, following an early walk, we headed to the local Reservoir, where we found the water level very low, although not quite as low as it had been 2 years ago when Matt and I did the tour. We had some early success with some close fly-by of a couple of Egyptian Vulture. A species we saw every day.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8kD3dyU2QHBCG6e3gAv_YO7253tX6mzBfkMOcPp438LJCQ1aX-d8kRBYuQ8OP6qmrC80twj7fSVkdc7Hayz2rhIcGOJGjeHfsg3JWFnCvyBZvazQkwa7inzjC6vhIL-Af9rWbRN3SEaEBcOduHQDJAFTZzhk_24QxceVAHN3yN_NxtcW3A67ICo9eWI/s3496/BOB_6597%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2068" data-original-width="3496" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8kD3dyU2QHBCG6e3gAv_YO7253tX6mzBfkMOcPp438LJCQ1aX-d8kRBYuQ8OP6qmrC80twj7fSVkdc7Hayz2rhIcGOJGjeHfsg3JWFnCvyBZvazQkwa7inzjC6vhIL-Af9rWbRN3SEaEBcOduHQDJAFTZzhk_24QxceVAHN3yN_NxtcW3A67ICo9eWI/w640-h378/BOB_6597%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsiT1suG5CzkC9mweHe9y2GfxeJhNNC-Fc5jFebRoZjJu1x7q9mSuf_e4IUX-08M8FR6jAtS24VbcyDXsjUaDnKnt3rr3uK-NZgkbgJ3vQsSjVkPUOVnzEErmvxlpWUz3bagMBhNFAwHpMqNOHdfT3l7SdfJ80EEeGk78x2PtSIrbo41QIZ1B3hQW23bM/s3672/BOB_6598%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2171" data-original-width="3672" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsiT1suG5CzkC9mweHe9y2GfxeJhNNC-Fc5jFebRoZjJu1x7q9mSuf_e4IUX-08M8FR6jAtS24VbcyDXsjUaDnKnt3rr3uK-NZgkbgJ3vQsSjVkPUOVnzEErmvxlpWUz3bagMBhNFAwHpMqNOHdfT3l7SdfJ80EEeGk78x2PtSIrbo41QIZ1B3hQW23bM/w640-h378/BOB_6598%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Adult Egyptian Vulture.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Canary Islands Stonechat were also on display here, as well as several other sites throughout the week.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIovuzYe78wtFxA_uARVaGmGhNS-d2DBEsPCzZD6Q1tnANJYGo8Ma3PC2YA6l7oMTbhkdImqnuYlBB_X7B5Z4E9afvOqeEBVGSXk9gwYt1absm4h00_JGYDnpRKoeaJn2JnEfo6vzJ1DLbo-1vIJrB1O5q7jOw7xVpdIayy-Hx2XOvERIeiTzcmKdsq8/s2152/BOB_6615.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2152" data-original-width="1516" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIovuzYe78wtFxA_uARVaGmGhNS-d2DBEsPCzZD6Q1tnANJYGo8Ma3PC2YA6l7oMTbhkdImqnuYlBB_X7B5Z4E9afvOqeEBVGSXk9gwYt1absm4h00_JGYDnpRKoeaJn2JnEfo6vzJ1DLbo-1vIJrB1O5q7jOw7xVpdIayy-Hx2XOvERIeiTzcmKdsq8/w450-h640/BOB_6615.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Male Canary Islands Stonechat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A Lesser Scaup that we saw last year was also still present as well as many Ruddy Shelduck and Black-winged Stilt. Several flyover flocks of Black-bellied Sandgrouse also kept us entertained.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeD1VJxMvZQSWkjYH2F3PzobBWxvyiXyZZqssNuoc-kk0o1Y-EXlFShyphenhyphenRWn5Mn7jEFJZVj9tlJo_5TuJwSe29_HSDS_qiO9vu-DNCJB6F5ryGpRqFrM16y2Rpezjzt0eaa_pjAlIH7_CxdcZon1zRvk0V9d_suI43wlbZuBBtZ7t3GZT_x1iVmavRyeOE/s2928/BOB_6907%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1662" data-original-width="2928" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeD1VJxMvZQSWkjYH2F3PzobBWxvyiXyZZqssNuoc-kk0o1Y-EXlFShyphenhyphenRWn5Mn7jEFJZVj9tlJo_5TuJwSe29_HSDS_qiO9vu-DNCJB6F5ryGpRqFrM16y2Rpezjzt0eaa_pjAlIH7_CxdcZon1zRvk0V9d_suI43wlbZuBBtZ7t3GZT_x1iVmavRyeOE/w640-h364/BOB_6907%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqsWPScWbrGVKdyQPY-wfU5zIiuJpKHy_bZ7fRZcAMaireZp7JrRnrYgO6zLhey1QwCqAvXwbsajMAqvPHWap8anDO2KY8w8zvDfGidjdyevG3ZCAyJmfBmILk1-iFSJkTorqKf8eLeUBLI8saePjVhsTpU5b6L2iL3j1Gf8JnGUDFx131puzfN1RDJM/s2732/BOB_6908.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1532" data-original-width="2732" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqsWPScWbrGVKdyQPY-wfU5zIiuJpKHy_bZ7fRZcAMaireZp7JrRnrYgO6zLhey1QwCqAvXwbsajMAqvPHWap8anDO2KY8w8zvDfGidjdyevG3ZCAyJmfBmILk1-iFSJkTorqKf8eLeUBLI8saePjVhsTpU5b6L2iL3j1Gf8JnGUDFx131puzfN1RDJM/w640-h358/BOB_6908.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Black-bellied Sandgrouse.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another species that we saw every day of the trip was the Berthelot's Pipit. A bird that is a Canary speciality and is also numerous and often quite approachable.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ws0uevSrwy5Bi85NPPhOGgHFihED0RohPN34Mxq8y1tmTr6jUGhH5ugXFNrTUTZ4W-1SvMFql1mtUJD71EcwyM9WQdow8y3g7uBTZQVPs81MOeP-qMZhl1KyOu1XYSGtPSkcUVGfetAmsM7yhaoahEmXeysuavf0eNDydtLdw9-WHlvT6R4fTMXzsGQ/s4700/BOB_6632%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2673" data-original-width="4700" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ws0uevSrwy5Bi85NPPhOGgHFihED0RohPN34Mxq8y1tmTr6jUGhH5ugXFNrTUTZ4W-1SvMFql1mtUJD71EcwyM9WQdow8y3g7uBTZQVPs81MOeP-qMZhl1KyOu1XYSGtPSkcUVGfetAmsM7yhaoahEmXeysuavf0eNDydtLdw9-WHlvT6R4fTMXzsGQ/w640-h364/BOB_6632%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_qm6oCoJDyU_0cs-YzV3hGgIHDN44mPSgSff7QEP1JCU8UsaLGSyS0Ehb3Kfeo8xCjb35BVkIdWdxIps8-P7bHx5t9wIyQ9JVpvtSdEVgxOoaGi24XvA4BjnvDKrpsJFrcsnEAfEaYsE24fTcOANzOHx2iCR0qhyphenhyphenAgEOBho8OhoLinuB31vm0F7bVGdk/s3000/BOB_6620%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="2075" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_qm6oCoJDyU_0cs-YzV3hGgIHDN44mPSgSff7QEP1JCU8UsaLGSyS0Ehb3Kfeo8xCjb35BVkIdWdxIps8-P7bHx5t9wIyQ9JVpvtSdEVgxOoaGi24XvA4BjnvDKrpsJFrcsnEAfEaYsE24fTcOANzOHx2iCR0qhyphenhyphenAgEOBho8OhoLinuB31vm0F7bVGdk/w442-h640/BOB_6620%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="442" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-zPSVSyAj_XGkk7BZ1cEhWsFsy9nv26uhmNbyPMQZYuD823LDJVFdF3OAFT3_D1OZQoP3KmBYe2_R6mr6pAXcE6wQDrWCWNhUELdPCJcxRLSSNZ9mLSOo-Ut61rzuAdw5nw41ss8u5_7q4XcgcRIRWY-Q08C8MRVOGSaTxDfFfBTsVPNKHvxDlI7cXE0/s4500/BOB_6771%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2628" data-original-width="4500" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-zPSVSyAj_XGkk7BZ1cEhWsFsy9nv26uhmNbyPMQZYuD823LDJVFdF3OAFT3_D1OZQoP3KmBYe2_R6mr6pAXcE6wQDrWCWNhUELdPCJcxRLSSNZ9mLSOo-Ut61rzuAdw5nw41ss8u5_7q4XcgcRIRWY-Q08C8MRVOGSaTxDfFfBTsVPNKHvxDlI7cXE0/w640-h374/BOB_6771%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Berthelot's Pipit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The African Blue Tit were much more numerous this year. It is a very special bird, and we were lucky to get some close encounters with them in the grounds of the hotel. They are similar to our Blue Tits, but much more brightly coloured. As Richard put it, It's like a Blue Tit on steroids!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvne5-JrVhLpU1IulfxX7BsizFcyih83my7iOgQ4emj17ho7SO_z4Mh5p1ggO5_Klw3cmrKmZ19gwzYksajRjHMGEECK1AqSDQsUQMLotFJ6qb-B4eJWGhYcmKc1h4O1fJa287XfsKoNa-FSNaCVhP1MSjEW4Tip63V4ihO7B1esB9aQqIoMBS7EN4qWA/s3420/BOB_6662.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2116" data-original-width="3420" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvne5-JrVhLpU1IulfxX7BsizFcyih83my7iOgQ4emj17ho7SO_z4Mh5p1ggO5_Klw3cmrKmZ19gwzYksajRjHMGEECK1AqSDQsUQMLotFJ6qb-B4eJWGhYcmKc1h4O1fJa287XfsKoNa-FSNaCVhP1MSjEW4Tip63V4ihO7B1esB9aQqIoMBS7EN4qWA/w640-h396/BOB_6662.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiynZ-CFgY6coH1FBCztN0lrOunNm2Im1PHtsREK0FdpdTxzQC4hSBIaUvomjFfU0ax6qPIzL_JhohGujRGRZmmrY2THVSUUxjBn2gV6te5Ph31Yw0K3lZEDqxy7VOb5x4AAPzayoHvbI5bHZq9FphvzQBs6-5bicC3YF7OZegDCmatLOlwgiGZTEuhVxU/s3468/BOB_6663.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2082" data-original-width="3468" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiynZ-CFgY6coH1FBCztN0lrOunNm2Im1PHtsREK0FdpdTxzQC4hSBIaUvomjFfU0ax6qPIzL_JhohGujRGRZmmrY2THVSUUxjBn2gV6te5Ph31Yw0K3lZEDqxy7VOb5x4AAPzayoHvbI5bHZq9FphvzQBs6-5bicC3YF7OZegDCmatLOlwgiGZTEuhVxU/w640-h384/BOB_6663.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">African Blue Tit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Laughing Dove were also seen regularly around the hotel grounds as well as in some of the other sites visited.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsw13n5uVeT0sVtA5YkAqhuHeYpsIydkC6Iykz_lEknsSz9glKAW1JJh5H4bsC9fuYAqQlH0VJKhjprrPrqZdoo8e7ueiK_9AjDz4TfW-e9F11wZFIE6T1Xf_crRs63hArOc4we4GLwya1NXjZb4aiVqG-Lxw9LTFpBgLWgFK5QK8vUvHLrdqz69Lmbj8/s3124/BOB_6758.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1908" data-original-width="3124" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsw13n5uVeT0sVtA5YkAqhuHeYpsIydkC6Iykz_lEknsSz9glKAW1JJh5H4bsC9fuYAqQlH0VJKhjprrPrqZdoo8e7ueiK_9AjDz4TfW-e9F11wZFIE6T1Xf_crRs63hArOc4we4GLwya1NXjZb4aiVqG-Lxw9LTFpBgLWgFK5QK8vUvHLrdqz69Lmbj8/w640-h390/BOB_6758.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Laughing Dove.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Every birding trip to Fuerteventura has the Houbara Bustard on the wanted list. Last year these were extremely difficult to find, so it was a great relief to head to a site near the hotel, where Matt and I had seen them in number 2 years ago, on the 2nd morning, and to find two of the birds straight away. It was still getting light when we came across the birds so photography was out of the question. However, we had excellent views for around 30 minutes as they moved around the area feeding. We actually saw the Houbara Bustard on 4 of the days, and good numbers too. Our closest encounters came on the last day, and in fact, my final photos of the week were of the Houbara Bustard.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyrsbB4chvuMwiDqs0znq_Grc355o4u2_zO2mjRBT60HgT57LIt_TYl9nD64SYrHEouIDenlw_3fwJ547s6zSD-Vj13qVHL1vaFf9noQX3FrR3bvKXLPUpti2rGFPd2Up5n9Swh13kXrAmmqAbt43G_nFd6oju7qYI9zkEh4twbrQD7bMxfMpoiUVfA0/s2612/BOB_6930.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1528" data-original-width="2612" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyrsbB4chvuMwiDqs0znq_Grc355o4u2_zO2mjRBT60HgT57LIt_TYl9nD64SYrHEouIDenlw_3fwJ547s6zSD-Vj13qVHL1vaFf9noQX3FrR3bvKXLPUpti2rGFPd2Up5n9Swh13kXrAmmqAbt43G_nFd6oju7qYI9zkEh4twbrQD7bMxfMpoiUVfA0/w640-h374/BOB_6930.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-MZbRLQp3_pnEnvjHpBFDEt1MN0lLipdV-f2hvgmsPoEEa4cr0Li56csqY_EMmQK74p3_bGtK-kThQih0-eKtz9UViweK7QM1TexeETGZlvcTKoaaYL-5qg5vVvyrJvQZHdwL5I-iqTMoGvNEZDkZuJdbFsv1JdM4i8cm2df8nkXMUlTRe4BdkFnljQc/s2448/BOB_6933.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1480" data-original-width="2448" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-MZbRLQp3_pnEnvjHpBFDEt1MN0lLipdV-f2hvgmsPoEEa4cr0Li56csqY_EMmQK74p3_bGtK-kThQih0-eKtz9UViweK7QM1TexeETGZlvcTKoaaYL-5qg5vVvyrJvQZHdwL5I-iqTMoGvNEZDkZuJdbFsv1JdM4i8cm2df8nkXMUlTRe4BdkFnljQc/w640-h386/BOB_6933.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Houbara Bustard.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The other main target bird however, was so not so easy. The Cream-coloured Courser drove us crazy during the week. On the 2nd day I spotted one as we were driving along a main road, too fast to stop unfortunately. I called the bird and pointed but only 2 others spotted the bird. Despite lots of searching during the week, that was the only sighting of the bird. A bird that also eluded us last year too. Listening to local birders, sightings of them have become few and far between, so maybe we were lucky to have had even that one brief view.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Bob Eade.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15087975886344058082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633531568827488212.post-34906569463687187532023-11-22T17:07:00.000+00:002023-11-22T17:07:32.049+00:00Ptarmigan or Bust.<p style="text-align: center;">Waking up on the morning that we were to start the journey back south we were somewhat surprised to see the sun shining. We should really only be thinking about the long journey back to Ormskirk, but the dream of perhaps finally catching up properly with the Ptarmigan was drawing us back towards a final climb up Glen Shee. After all, we knew there had been at least 3 of the birds in the area the day before.</p><p style="text-align: center;">So, instead of driving south straight away we drove back to the ski centre car park with all the gear in the car!! The sun was still shining, although it wasn't long before we found it was still very breezy, especially at the top of the mountain. </p><p style="text-align: center;">At the start of our holiday the Ptarmigan had been at the top of our most wanted list, and we had climbed several mountains in search of them, so this was almost a make or break for the trip.</p><p style="text-align: center;">On reaching the top we immediately came across several Red Grouse. The search around the whole area followed and the nearest we got was amazingly 3 Ptarmigan feathers, that had somehow stuck to the rocky outcrops. Considering how breezy it was they should have blown miles away!!</p><p style="text-align: center;">We tried in desperation other areas near the summit, seeing a few more Mountain Hares but still no Ptarmigan. We should now have been nearing Glasgow in the car with our original plans for the day. However, we battled on. </p><p style="text-align: center;">It was now getting really frustrating after over 2 hours of searching, and I was now about to accept that we just were not going to see any Ptarmigan. As we started a slight descent something caught my eye amongst another outcrop of rocks. I quickly and quietly called to Lisa, as there in front of my eyes were 3 feeding Ptarmigan. It was such an amazing moment to realise that our really long search had in the final moments come to fruition. We both started to take photos of them, although the wind made it difficult holding the cameras steady. After several minutes the birds flew a short distance, but we managed to creep back up to them a couple more times. After watching them for 30 plus minutes we decided to leave them in peace, and we were able to glow and celebrate our success!!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxG_ahDBvPs2zFU38h5FZRysGQNpO0f1ZOGYsB2CA6DvNVNLtXzlB2ilzZbIh-uppAEGiJQXDtZDjOVbNrev2qNKO5jyB3TnELNGBFQGv8zWwcJgxM5-ge81VGfrKV8TNXBqMS05navvWhOIF0HAG_npYMYYauTk2jxvQ673r80wLKOBamz_pc1Duyg1c/s3200/ROB_7099%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1921" data-original-width="3200" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxG_ahDBvPs2zFU38h5FZRysGQNpO0f1ZOGYsB2CA6DvNVNLtXzlB2ilzZbIh-uppAEGiJQXDtZDjOVbNrev2qNKO5jyB3TnELNGBFQGv8zWwcJgxM5-ge81VGfrKV8TNXBqMS05navvWhOIF0HAG_npYMYYauTk2jxvQ673r80wLKOBamz_pc1Duyg1c/w640-h384/ROB_7099%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My first ever Ptarmigan.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All 3 birds were changing to their white winter plumage, but one of the birds was quite a bit further back, with only a little white showing, and this one was very well camouflaged when it was amongst the rocky terrain.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2vCgzedNCFSXk3hr5ir-OPLTEW69XPf3F6KGctI_Kprj_WTWUhw63o8Ym6ES6O2BQMesgbPeu6ZXR1rJesT9wXoBurZSJapxzwc_GE9zrHfpKNR5k8IpvkkfGp5grpeBQ7i6yzKWwuxRXiRU7ke5OPV3cJ5-LL_17nW_zPDmLe-PNmvaZf_pUxotuq-o/s4500/ROB_7108%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2768" data-original-width="4500" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2vCgzedNCFSXk3hr5ir-OPLTEW69XPf3F6KGctI_Kprj_WTWUhw63o8Ym6ES6O2BQMesgbPeu6ZXR1rJesT9wXoBurZSJapxzwc_GE9zrHfpKNR5k8IpvkkfGp5grpeBQ7i6yzKWwuxRXiRU7ke5OPV3cJ5-LL_17nW_zPDmLe-PNmvaZf_pUxotuq-o/w640-h394/ROB_7108%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJhSXIfUhN9Rr07sSpHOw-T6Wzi5azZ0eeZdviL1JJGk13s9AL13HXoqgzDbE87sAGr7lNw5VWjcNNcpZoGs1YEk4M25vVvUYr7GQ8rQFg0QgWJkeRu07J6YZTZX9a-1nEd_bd7tM81ScyZN7cM7zLJdilJQSiegBneH1toZj-uyNloTrwdgpHJ2D2Xs/s4500/ROB_7112%20(2)%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2672" data-original-width="4500" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJhSXIfUhN9Rr07sSpHOw-T6Wzi5azZ0eeZdviL1JJGk13s9AL13HXoqgzDbE87sAGr7lNw5VWjcNNcpZoGs1YEk4M25vVvUYr7GQ8rQFg0QgWJkeRu07J6YZTZX9a-1nEd_bd7tM81ScyZN7cM7zLJdilJQSiegBneH1toZj-uyNloTrwdgpHJ2D2Xs/w640-h380/ROB_7112%20(2)%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLAjypMz02jPpyL8jkNIggL718twMJo5lPkrgSZaKm4k_Sq1yHbwj58MB2swN0V4JwbDm9rMcNkinKoV7Y8n8gS0-JITLDYMACrSFvEwRm7KWlo-D4i139qHdAYXR17VeH0-WYIUu8IljLG29GgrR5twIr75aIiy7TyVzbHQUJPLJxLJR2GjAG0Au-ah4/s4500/ROB_7127%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2634" data-original-width="4500" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLAjypMz02jPpyL8jkNIggL718twMJo5lPkrgSZaKm4k_Sq1yHbwj58MB2swN0V4JwbDm9rMcNkinKoV7Y8n8gS0-JITLDYMACrSFvEwRm7KWlo-D4i139qHdAYXR17VeH0-WYIUu8IljLG29GgrR5twIr75aIiy7TyVzbHQUJPLJxLJR2GjAG0Au-ah4/w640-h374/ROB_7127%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qLm8jWu91j1sI1sWtYLmOt2hkGFxPzGgjZc1plVkyi4SOZzCet5wDiEfJQs0NtgiFX1xnz97DEK7yavYhAhFJKjW3TCWqAdOpWjGl7_ZWpYBhupEvV9XWlt915KFO6Pkn1-WpHtMzpSqB2Qe24M9DvQcOR_IZbvKgEHFOWFdWAWUkmkAucgLJK2-5LY/s4674/ROB_7166%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2986" data-original-width="4674" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qLm8jWu91j1sI1sWtYLmOt2hkGFxPzGgjZc1plVkyi4SOZzCet5wDiEfJQs0NtgiFX1xnz97DEK7yavYhAhFJKjW3TCWqAdOpWjGl7_ZWpYBhupEvV9XWlt915KFO6Pkn1-WpHtMzpSqB2Qe24M9DvQcOR_IZbvKgEHFOWFdWAWUkmkAucgLJK2-5LY/w640-h408/ROB_7166%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We heard, and saw them calling a couple of times.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9o30Tqkd97iq_Jqf0Eu4z8GLIgMhVbK7Hv01b-wC8N4XvKG3gIUWoED5zyz6SEmpceM3lC_187GOW27daSTf_aPTNlJoTYkLLed_MKGFtNMtQf9MB1LEMib46ddxVGa_V1LxAHOjd7Fbnb9_-2uc81HEbVGlWjbPmEiVazVfrGzKAEYCDYFP1pl_1Fzw/s4500/ROB_7201%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2650" data-original-width="4500" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9o30Tqkd97iq_Jqf0Eu4z8GLIgMhVbK7Hv01b-wC8N4XvKG3gIUWoED5zyz6SEmpceM3lC_187GOW27daSTf_aPTNlJoTYkLLed_MKGFtNMtQf9MB1LEMib46ddxVGa_V1LxAHOjd7Fbnb9_-2uc81HEbVGlWjbPmEiVazVfrGzKAEYCDYFP1pl_1Fzw/w640-h376/ROB_7201%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Check out those feet!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocfG2zoQ3Rt3Jf6YIWSRE-1j0fsCSQoFVGfkC9ZhpbLH6pBB4pakDKy2eO28mRUX2_CaMc8P18zT8DM0f2uNmFfS4At50Tm9bVjqzSNa6-vKcwVS1iwh0SzKV61bcnqFzGXiZtN6kJ-Y04JybGC6uq1KkScUP5_pfxmufJPjB32TGbFqjuhyvFJUHODI/s4500/ROB_7208%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2833" data-original-width="4500" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocfG2zoQ3Rt3Jf6YIWSRE-1j0fsCSQoFVGfkC9ZhpbLH6pBB4pakDKy2eO28mRUX2_CaMc8P18zT8DM0f2uNmFfS4At50Tm9bVjqzSNa6-vKcwVS1iwh0SzKV61bcnqFzGXiZtN6kJ-Y04JybGC6uq1KkScUP5_pfxmufJPjB32TGbFqjuhyvFJUHODI/w640-h402/ROB_7208%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI0Iy1AtJqrVYcJDIqswW_1Aws1VhO2_kDpypCPg3j07CPNjLzfVp9vtSWZtFscqqucmiUs8yS4KY28b0UKBIsR3jTyKwJbipFpjsiInMSZNaHS_zqF873iF_8_6IW8l37CFHKw74ZQOMosJ687NGH4DstiMsMLdllJ4wqLAN2TTST5Zbs3Euw1byHC7k/s4500/ROB_7220%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2701" data-original-width="4500" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI0Iy1AtJqrVYcJDIqswW_1Aws1VhO2_kDpypCPg3j07CPNjLzfVp9vtSWZtFscqqucmiUs8yS4KY28b0UKBIsR3jTyKwJbipFpjsiInMSZNaHS_zqF873iF_8_6IW8l37CFHKw74ZQOMosJ687NGH4DstiMsMLdllJ4wqLAN2TTST5Zbs3Euw1byHC7k/w640-h384/ROB_7220%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">The least white bird of the three.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Instead of now starting to climb back down to the car, Lisa decided she would now like to try and get some more Mountain Hare photos. Well, I suppose we felt we were on a roll now, so I quickly agreed that we could hang on a little more time. Lisa quickly spotted one Hare basking in the sunshine. I hung back a little to give her a better chance of getting close. The Hare really looked half asleep, although, of course it wasn't. However she got reasonably close before it ambled off.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEPYKZUAhyphenhyphenB0ePtxMcUKzTltaYi7DbKhB8dZgi4hOKUsHGmyHssxZz1iMfH_u3_7XGUvhQ12jFVMhpqgLQGYEVFLKX-a9kGqsHDxoWlLVhJAWvX6ulC97Kf_VDMSi2iYTqJxEhaUs2_qYjh1owy3KYDbvXS20mwH2UF1qs3cqFiWzeBaAf2224zCwtzg/s3800/ROB_7241%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2251" data-original-width="3800" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEPYKZUAhyphenhyphenB0ePtxMcUKzTltaYi7DbKhB8dZgi4hOKUsHGmyHssxZz1iMfH_u3_7XGUvhQ12jFVMhpqgLQGYEVFLKX-a9kGqsHDxoWlLVhJAWvX6ulC97Kf_VDMSi2iYTqJxEhaUs2_qYjh1owy3KYDbvXS20mwH2UF1qs3cqFiWzeBaAf2224zCwtzg/w640-h380/ROB_7241%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A Relaxed Mountain Hare.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As with yesterday, we noticed the Hares were changing to their winter coats too, with some much whiter than others. One day I hope to photograph them once they have fully changed to white.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8NqOO_II-wyEc9NuKXpR8Gepo_j-wrLV52IOk2PYdA_VUEwmU8jawvBPdR_4QLvdoqzqd5LToulzJ1cO6ZdS6R9ASDZHk9KUQDYJ9s3PKIE5rzNpS9I0xV9PdIr7mif8NLA-BBNShUw87W_Gv5k9aefI2_zTdqHXwkp4Mm_7-qEi1VNHr8XSDIAeOGM/s4500/ROB_7245%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2670" data-original-width="4500" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8NqOO_II-wyEc9NuKXpR8Gepo_j-wrLV52IOk2PYdA_VUEwmU8jawvBPdR_4QLvdoqzqd5LToulzJ1cO6ZdS6R9ASDZHk9KUQDYJ9s3PKIE5rzNpS9I0xV9PdIr7mif8NLA-BBNShUw87W_Gv5k9aefI2_zTdqHXwkp4Mm_7-qEi1VNHr8XSDIAeOGM/w640-h380/ROB_7245%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5EBGKOac0aI3Mtkqgpvs509UaaNo2Fu6r8LlXQGcjSb0vH4Jli5hVOfHtAkgyNd_h4EAfwSDpfv8AtWORcVts4ClhyAlLEOY7j4xtT2ETKo1GnMM3SqJablz8OXIVIJC0nOQ1U8rYb1PvUBx0NEoidRFjufmXCL62LzoVOj0_eNln1hXU-jZ_Sh0Vx4U/s3600/ROB_7259%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2127" data-original-width="3600" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5EBGKOac0aI3Mtkqgpvs509UaaNo2Fu6r8LlXQGcjSb0vH4Jli5hVOfHtAkgyNd_h4EAfwSDpfv8AtWORcVts4ClhyAlLEOY7j4xtT2ETKo1GnMM3SqJablz8OXIVIJC0nOQ1U8rYb1PvUBx0NEoidRFjufmXCL62LzoVOj0_eNln1hXU-jZ_Sh0Vx4U/w640-h378/ROB_7259%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFG2-aCMwAe372WD5zo5DMUeXxoZjr5VDwqxM96-jzR4Gdnz-Fx-sK4sdzhre6ZWTXelYe2inn-sOzKbVo_xDaZBaM_h-KASDvNw_xdsOzoWunxajdCRy1cjjP65LplUvnnW-rcZQuqZG4OcO8blww2seBcU4HYuCDPy1Zfg28p2_1W5djoZ9BvqM1Og/s3890/ROB_7263%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2190" data-original-width="3890" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFG2-aCMwAe372WD5zo5DMUeXxoZjr5VDwqxM96-jzR4Gdnz-Fx-sK4sdzhre6ZWTXelYe2inn-sOzKbVo_xDaZBaM_h-KASDvNw_xdsOzoWunxajdCRy1cjjP65LplUvnnW-rcZQuqZG4OcO8blww2seBcU4HYuCDPy1Zfg28p2_1W5djoZ9BvqM1Og/w640-h360/ROB_7263%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">The beautiful Mountain Hare giving me a final pose before we leave Scotland.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">We just couldn't believe how well this final Scottish session had gone. Not only seeing the Ptarmigan so well, but also getting our best Mountain Hare photos of the trip.</p><p style="text-align: center;">We now had 2 days of travelling south, back to Sussex via Ormskirk and Martin Mere. The trip south however was made much easier as we were still basking in our final day success.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Bob Eade.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15087975886344058082noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633531568827488212.post-59903494898853943472023-11-20T17:36:00.001+00:002023-11-20T17:41:06.576+00:00Mountain Hare Hunt.<p style="text-align: center;"> One of the creatures that I was really hoping to photograph on the Scotland trip was the Mountain Hare. I've always enjoyed watching the Brown Hare in southern England, but up until now, I've never managed to photograph the Mountain Hare. In fact, the only one I have ever seen was during the short trip a couple of years ago with Matt, when I saw a single Mountain Hare in torrential rain. </p><p style="text-align: center;">On that trip we visited Findhorn valley, a valley that was always a well known site for them. Despite rumours that the numbers at this site have suffered in recent years Lisa and I still decided to go back there. Even with poor numbers, it is still a wonderful area, and there is always the chance of a Golden Eagle there too. </p><p style="text-align: center;">We had already tried Carn Ban Mor, mainly here hoping for Ptarmigan, but we didn't see either the Ptarmigan or the Mountain Hare at this site, not helped by the dreadful visibility near the top of the mountain, although plenty of Red Grouse were seen on the way up. So it was off to Findhorn for a concerted effort of finding Mountain Hare. It wasn't very long before Lisa spotted the first Mountain Hare, sitting on the mountainside in the heather. We then hatched a plan to try and get closer to it to get some photos. Unfortunately, we made a silly error finding we had overshot where we thought it would be. Not ideal, but a couple of shots were taken, and it was good to see that it had started to turn into it's winter white coat. With this early semi success we were confident of seeing several more, but alas, it was not to be.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFmfymIHn6-pRh6LEKK3_0EisxRS-lkV4TtGWkFkC3EUKO9k0aEfgrXBXjO_JmGpEy4CoSi3JP0vzpTAw5qfuVkhW83p6M9DSibXrrbE3AXSKFucTdKiK4CBozh9F3nS4Sf7voGuqnqI00r0lEMPdkRXDDAdAKT3j4X-Zuzm7DZpgm4dqvojxewW9LU4/s4400/ROB_6967%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2505" data-original-width="4400" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFmfymIHn6-pRh6LEKK3_0EisxRS-lkV4TtGWkFkC3EUKO9k0aEfgrXBXjO_JmGpEy4CoSi3JP0vzpTAw5qfuVkhW83p6M9DSibXrrbE3AXSKFucTdKiK4CBozh9F3nS4Sf7voGuqnqI00r0lEMPdkRXDDAdAKT3j4X-Zuzm7DZpgm4dqvojxewW9LU4/w640-h364/ROB_6967%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mountain Hare in the heather.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Higher up the track we did however see more Red Grouse and even managed to get close enough for a few half decent photographs. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIfNyZUvo4iiNK6PntGd2p4P4xE2AolWz9OJLyfk0kXahEc-9X2Dp2FFOkMyp1Vf0bds09PbT21iPRcs4jtaEem4zQ6ITvqxKZp80YNPA4yi0TkEj9sXGYVrBuYWnbkW5mD8WD89gefYd3dxKTuGXgflVn51qSk7rtUr18Q9eFvAGO9MM4p4betv-y7g/s2750/ROB_6982%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1701" data-original-width="2750" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIfNyZUvo4iiNK6PntGd2p4P4xE2AolWz9OJLyfk0kXahEc-9X2Dp2FFOkMyp1Vf0bds09PbT21iPRcs4jtaEem4zQ6ITvqxKZp80YNPA4yi0TkEj9sXGYVrBuYWnbkW5mD8WD89gefYd3dxKTuGXgflVn51qSk7rtUr18Q9eFvAGO9MM4p4betv-y7g/w640-h396/ROB_6982%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Male Red Grouse.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3eRf4j8L6ed3wooBtCg-_etNJdzOWNQQ6WT63aab0Eux_Pu9IQaS2011Mi-Hm7Al7CLzntLWkjM6wtHuUNYKIy0Hb8x_1J8ZBDcdHWHC4SgnkqxfBHjB8PIdmnieIYs6K_3JcDjjiR0nyq3txkPz9NbxHLMOHRdGCXbBBohiOhUxInsvKQjUpODL6mc/s4400/ROB_6996%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2637" data-original-width="4400" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3eRf4j8L6ed3wooBtCg-_etNJdzOWNQQ6WT63aab0Eux_Pu9IQaS2011Mi-Hm7Al7CLzntLWkjM6wtHuUNYKIy0Hb8x_1J8ZBDcdHWHC4SgnkqxfBHjB8PIdmnieIYs6K_3JcDjjiR0nyq3txkPz9NbxHLMOHRdGCXbBBohiOhUxInsvKQjUpODL6mc/w640-h384/ROB_6996%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Female Red Grouse.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwODzgv5EzGQR6pVDnbid4LJjHdyxMTZ2-ViYtFxc54dBU7k_5U4NSulgIYJOMX_V62bPzeG0TVYD62APYDxNyoFg-jSIBR3Sf6wdigd9Z0wV1AvpAwAc1XtBg4M-uh4XFrClL0FkGgJc13cky8rGSqFEP8pgU6tU_nsk5ffurusA61LGxN6p3BNUhGQ/s4500/ROB_6997%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2607" data-original-width="4500" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwODzgv5EzGQR6pVDnbid4LJjHdyxMTZ2-ViYtFxc54dBU7k_5U4NSulgIYJOMX_V62bPzeG0TVYD62APYDxNyoFg-jSIBR3Sf6wdigd9Z0wV1AvpAwAc1XtBg4M-uh4XFrClL0FkGgJc13cky8rGSqFEP8pgU6tU_nsk5ffurusA61LGxN6p3BNUhGQ/w640-h370/ROB_6997%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Red Grouse Group.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We did feel a little frustrated not managing to get that close to the Mountain Hare, so the following day we did it all again. We followed the same path up, scouring the hillside for the Mountain Hares, but once again, it wasn't looking too good for them. We did hear some Red Deer stags bellowing nearby, and then looking through the binoculars we saw them on the next slope over. There were several large herds of Red Deer there. They were very skittish, even though we were some distance away. They were obviously well used to being hunted here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1z_VMH-RheUdM-FUXl-P5EuRzygOc8dLR2auECIt0NzACrTEAtCktHt7XEugXfwxtGUNWoudvA4Xh76DO8tSA-TG5UBWNlcohpVr9M_yt_PfifzroN20GvHgkVRwBl2wsxnpVEaIou9l-wIPrD_zEHzX3QHV49mIVXPWjPW4ieOSlw4hGXNoDn1m_5VU/s4500/ROB_7003%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2241" data-original-width="4500" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1z_VMH-RheUdM-FUXl-P5EuRzygOc8dLR2auECIt0NzACrTEAtCktHt7XEugXfwxtGUNWoudvA4Xh76DO8tSA-TG5UBWNlcohpVr9M_yt_PfifzroN20GvHgkVRwBl2wsxnpVEaIou9l-wIPrD_zEHzX3QHV49mIVXPWjPW4ieOSlw4hGXNoDn1m_5VU/w640-h318/ROB_7003%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Red Deer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We then decided to head back down the hill and try over the other side. On the way down I spotted a Merlin which was after one of the many Fieldfare. With another scan of the hillside I then spotted a couple of long ears which were just poking out the top of some heather. At last, I'd found a Mountain Hare. We decided to try and creep up closer to the Hare, keeping it in sight all the way, so as not to scare it. A very slow and gentle approach worked really well and we got close enough for some nice photos without disturbing it. Although it was still well tucked into its form the head showed nicely, and we were then able to walk away from it with it not having moved away.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVXvU8cEoQSLi0F_Bx4h89rb1OjdTCzW3Z5aBL7nvQjQj2bQXoMDPDfqsS2aSIJh1QpuUNTmneMuzv1gVnZnySgQFdUvkZxyEGmos5-dWV1BbwDu4Q2804xs64KimCL0XR1RD0ZqCRT4LzbQi83FXTDPKVK7MHd9Rq96XGHBXtVJNuNpmFaKmpZyyWEk/s4400/ROB_7053%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2558" data-original-width="4400" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVXvU8cEoQSLi0F_Bx4h89rb1OjdTCzW3Z5aBL7nvQjQj2bQXoMDPDfqsS2aSIJh1QpuUNTmneMuzv1gVnZnySgQFdUvkZxyEGmos5-dWV1BbwDu4Q2804xs64KimCL0XR1RD0ZqCRT4LzbQi83FXTDPKVK7MHd9Rq96XGHBXtVJNuNpmFaKmpZyyWEk/w640-h372/ROB_7053%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mountain Hare tucked into its form.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We were now 2 weeks into our trip and we still hadn't managed to see any Ptarmigan, a species that I was desperate to see. Unfortunately, time was running out. The day after the Mountain Hare hunt we were starting to head back south, with a couple of nights near Glen Shee. This area is meant to hold the biggest number of Ptarmigan anywhere in the World, so we felt we really should at last get lucky. The main problem now was we only had 2 days to find them and the weather was looking particularly bad!! After the drive south we arrived at the ski centre in rain that was falling almost horizontally in the high wind. We very nearly climbed the mountain that afternoon, but as we were about to set off the heavens opened and we decided we would be mad to go up. The forecast for the following day was even worse, however, when we got to the ski centre again on the 2nd day, it was marginally better so we risked the climb up. Not surprisingly, we were the only 2 to go up there on that day. The visibility at the top was not at all good. With lots of wandering about we did actually see lots of Mountain Hares and some of them were nearly fully white. However, the Ptarmigan remained a dream, well, at least for me. Lisa did manage to see 3 and as she photographed them they flew. All I saw was 2 white looking birds flying away. I could hardly say from that, that I had seen a Ptarmigan. It looked as though our main target for the trip was going to allude me. I did manage a couple of atmospheric photos of the Mountain Hare though to remember the very wet day by!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEcVQh7H1nzSbW8x7GZeuI_m923NO3_vbHs1mxt4uOJr5TsVMnGh4i2nGbrYC6stNriQyB6wuPQ6AoMbvNLqtNeiBSCiiWc8k-7LbS-z4wD2OZl1r5xHHShRx5e9xnKeDIgT6AwK47e9xluPsR8rDEGRi-21xmUQ4l39cFxcFS1hn6fx6yI0lKoalPZgk/s4100/ROB_7058%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2398" data-original-width="4100" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEcVQh7H1nzSbW8x7GZeuI_m923NO3_vbHs1mxt4uOJr5TsVMnGh4i2nGbrYC6stNriQyB6wuPQ6AoMbvNLqtNeiBSCiiWc8k-7LbS-z4wD2OZl1r5xHHShRx5e9xnKeDIgT6AwK47e9xluPsR8rDEGRi-21xmUQ4l39cFxcFS1hn6fx6yI0lKoalPZgk/w640-h374/ROB_7058%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mountain Hare in the rain!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJb8JLTmKfjDs2J-6UAhBiWs96PfZLPLmoVB65yhtTQMmgUIZZOI4BAoxr2W51I-CWnREl0SqR7-RjmBn8o_i1auZHizIR5lgIu4QLzP_ypMLQqVlACVrTSl7vBwm7q9CrnlUBH34z11ntu1Lz-Jj6CttwVEPfO4NkVuTlvho1n-brqRCTU6y2vEVKSs/s3400/ROB_7077%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1971" data-original-width="3400" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJb8JLTmKfjDs2J-6UAhBiWs96PfZLPLmoVB65yhtTQMmgUIZZOI4BAoxr2W51I-CWnREl0SqR7-RjmBn8o_i1auZHizIR5lgIu4QLzP_ypMLQqVlACVrTSl7vBwm7q9CrnlUBH34z11ntu1Lz-Jj6CttwVEPfO4NkVuTlvho1n-brqRCTU6y2vEVKSs/w640-h372/ROB_7077%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A whiter Mountain Hare in the misty conditions.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The following day we were starting our way back home, stopping again near Martin Mere. Perhaps the Ptarmigan would have to wait for another trip unless we were extremely lucky and the weather allowed a final chance the following morning.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Bob Eade.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15087975886344058082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633531568827488212.post-22665736289428455882023-11-16T15:04:00.000+00:002023-11-16T15:04:01.926+00:00Red Squirrel Encounter.<p style="text-align: center;"> The day after our climb of Cairngorm Mountain, we had a much easier day sitting in a hide!! As Lisa had been to this part of Scotland before, in which she had been to this Red Squirrel hide, she was very keen on using it again, and as I had not even seen a Red Squirrel before, apart from a fleeting glimpse many years ago in Norfolk, I too was keen to give it a go.</p><p style="text-align: center;">As it was, it was actually the best day for weather during all our time in Scotland, which was in a way a shame to spend most of it in a hide, however, at least the light was a little better even though it was in a woodland setting.</p><p style="text-align: center;">The sun was shining with no wind and a heavy frost sitting on the Heather around the hide, which meant our feet and hands also got very cold!!</p><p style="text-align: center;">All the time in the hide we were entertained by lots of Coal Tits which were enjoying the peanuts that had been put out. </p><p style="text-align: center;">It wasn't long before I spotted the first Red Squirrel. I think I had just poured out a cup of tea, when I looked up and spotted it sitting there as it munched on a Hazelnut. After a short while it was joined by a 2nd Squirrel and a fabulous chase developed as they chased each other around the trunk of a tree. We then enjoyed several more sightings as they came back occasionally to eat more Hazelnuts, although every time they became two the chase started up again.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAR5Orn85miyPwcR0Xz-d5vLigzGlz2JKZqfP3ZujVFJ99USNRjWOCBvJrpsEDIf6tL0mxVrytxISaCDpj_ABfHFyotnXJ0BRjAxK4EXzMbYIfPkbTggZbDh8ZqI3cEH94vR4cBboYaQ1A_HuWtJaS9H_2FW-BS-vUatRaUpAhP17SZQW6gGKSCByRxAM/s3800/BOB_6479%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2361" data-original-width="3800" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAR5Orn85miyPwcR0Xz-d5vLigzGlz2JKZqfP3ZujVFJ99USNRjWOCBvJrpsEDIf6tL0mxVrytxISaCDpj_ABfHFyotnXJ0BRjAxK4EXzMbYIfPkbTggZbDh8ZqI3cEH94vR4cBboYaQ1A_HuWtJaS9H_2FW-BS-vUatRaUpAhP17SZQW6gGKSCByRxAM/w640-h398/BOB_6479%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFlJPXky5ik6NOtlM7LoAZqLVLhquxj-Ezmje0jewtC6hlfDsLjA7-eEEfJVfvSqy4dr7noyqJmWfWNXoRXk_no7OgsWbG04GHIMhqrgp2RO9wi9hYt8ApG7ieJUyLhF-NoBUyb7uj4tUXpbCv2A1m3smnU0BlDwMZ0jwcxq33vJzxtbxHnuqveM8zbQ/s2500/BOB_6487%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1641" data-original-width="2500" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFlJPXky5ik6NOtlM7LoAZqLVLhquxj-Ezmje0jewtC6hlfDsLjA7-eEEfJVfvSqy4dr7noyqJmWfWNXoRXk_no7OgsWbG04GHIMhqrgp2RO9wi9hYt8ApG7ieJUyLhF-NoBUyb7uj4tUXpbCv2A1m3smnU0BlDwMZ0jwcxq33vJzxtbxHnuqveM8zbQ/w640-h420/BOB_6487%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_Rc0PZOOkBQAYFoLnEnsZ8uTFLLwCTad6Cv2DKAxB8zbozyVur69MpWAOesuziZXRVjqUFjPKdJuJVWUWD7X-Y47sT_PfjN7i-YM8pLJ7qsNDV_tzpNYUIGdFVniOFi5_38SsMdHWsoj5VOlIyx0qlOebCa_rzIyDI1wX3CipnhkEXPLkSoZjmw-8ls/s4500/ROB_6886%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4500" data-original-width="3012" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_Rc0PZOOkBQAYFoLnEnsZ8uTFLLwCTad6Cv2DKAxB8zbozyVur69MpWAOesuziZXRVjqUFjPKdJuJVWUWD7X-Y47sT_PfjN7i-YM8pLJ7qsNDV_tzpNYUIGdFVniOFi5_38SsMdHWsoj5VOlIyx0qlOebCa_rzIyDI1wX3CipnhkEXPLkSoZjmw-8ls/w428-h640/ROB_6886%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkRxcrGQgIKCKGHzFkPLCrDOEJAk-Y3EY5Ba0eAhoqx0-ybmlIxmUOn3qDhyphenhyphenHOCkneLAQ-3Vmb3_i1jWiLdnTXQElk_Xnny5YFXDdQ7fr9bc5RBOXOQ98svvBI96nCmUd0oboO63Ykuxd6bk6GosxSUWkEeCTM5cFB_9s4SzL8-PSxLSVJs4oCZsb5Gw/s4000/BOB_6499%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2458" data-original-width="4000" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkRxcrGQgIKCKGHzFkPLCrDOEJAk-Y3EY5Ba0eAhoqx0-ybmlIxmUOn3qDhyphenhyphenHOCkneLAQ-3Vmb3_i1jWiLdnTXQElk_Xnny5YFXDdQ7fr9bc5RBOXOQ98svvBI96nCmUd0oboO63Ykuxd6bk6GosxSUWkEeCTM5cFB_9s4SzL8-PSxLSVJs4oCZsb5Gw/w640-h394/BOB_6499%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqokW8qGXSR-KqUlrENt3fY1qfDj8WOW1UlsqGLVfLXYBzlOyUmMY5mbarrRm5YH3gIXRE-FRxNKgT1xlwOutWgUprfqbu_BaY3sOn06Z2cegvGYt7wBlYk_KYrFWlAdXz2A9xqfXyLYKZzKGwPUjJDF_2H7IhP9K83-KqLrNw3TPu0fbgBtCYq8o1ZI/s4500/ROB_6925%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2795" data-original-width="4500" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqokW8qGXSR-KqUlrENt3fY1qfDj8WOW1UlsqGLVfLXYBzlOyUmMY5mbarrRm5YH3gIXRE-FRxNKgT1xlwOutWgUprfqbu_BaY3sOn06Z2cegvGYt7wBlYk_KYrFWlAdXz2A9xqfXyLYKZzKGwPUjJDF_2H7IhP9K83-KqLrNw3TPu0fbgBtCYq8o1ZI/w640-h398/ROB_6925%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Elegant Red Squirrel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After an hour or so of occasional visits the Squirrels vanished and we were left to a few birds. As well as the numerous Coal Tits we also had Great-spotted Woodpeckers, Great Tits and a Treecreeper. However, the Coal Tits provided most entertainment, even landing a couple of times on my hand when I put a few crushed peanuts on them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWyBZK0JVtPSucfe9H8RPrvnqTo0jBFXNoVbh4wD_0wi36IeKriRChRx9Qsk_qTPZEx8rH506M9Baa_9rsI2lvPCMdmlG7vefvC9J_zc7pmiqwt41S4hhUhTpL20FZWfQ5nqnX6Y8d9bXnhemlfJVf6EBelDYy5BMzHKrcJ9XpnvYzLTTiiiZNXrE6bE/s2800/BOB_6526%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1769" data-original-width="2800" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWyBZK0JVtPSucfe9H8RPrvnqTo0jBFXNoVbh4wD_0wi36IeKriRChRx9Qsk_qTPZEx8rH506M9Baa_9rsI2lvPCMdmlG7vefvC9J_zc7pmiqwt41S4hhUhTpL20FZWfQ5nqnX6Y8d9bXnhemlfJVf6EBelDYy5BMzHKrcJ9XpnvYzLTTiiiZNXrE6bE/w640-h404/BOB_6526%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10M09C3NhSkYvZyJUXj2aySWBBKUqMn1TXixEmIrOMb_UAC1HHhFAUiLqOpHOQpHnHhhRo8p7B1JXsjBDggd8_06OoRdrctYkv5o-JMhphG2QIDGpDNUBVJ9k3HPUiMfcYixSwDUnmfMPHWlAhsR_-VD9yKYuWi7biqyuggTxGrGm_oca4OBgKw7t-Zw/s3000/BOB_6528%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="3000" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10M09C3NhSkYvZyJUXj2aySWBBKUqMn1TXixEmIrOMb_UAC1HHhFAUiLqOpHOQpHnHhhRo8p7B1JXsjBDggd8_06OoRdrctYkv5o-JMhphG2QIDGpDNUBVJ9k3HPUiMfcYixSwDUnmfMPHWlAhsR_-VD9yKYuWi7biqyuggTxGrGm_oca4OBgKw7t-Zw/w640-h384/BOB_6528%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Coal Tit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As the sun got a little lower in the sky, and it got even colder, we decided to call it a day for the hide. However, it was still a lovely day outside so we headed to Loch Garten for a stroll. The water on the loch was as still as a millpond and there was a fabulous reflection in the water of the autumnal colours, with a snow topped mountain behind it. A simply stunning day!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_tM99hESWjDqCL5r_1veWOO2rdeBfFtZzeaqOoxgF6a4QxJ76OU9d1x-ROIHUUUviCYmUwtuAl1XseYD9V3punSwGu7qktG2ScroPZl0chMimgnH0smN0oYgHn5JDzeTmCLhsU8eGLlZbjtjozHF59w75ZEtw_4vY806_2ZpMIMK_I4TVenZ5lA2-os/s3000/BOB_6536%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1599" data-original-width="3000" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_tM99hESWjDqCL5r_1veWOO2rdeBfFtZzeaqOoxgF6a4QxJ76OU9d1x-ROIHUUUviCYmUwtuAl1XseYD9V3punSwGu7qktG2ScroPZl0chMimgnH0smN0oYgHn5JDzeTmCLhsU8eGLlZbjtjozHF59w75ZEtw_4vY806_2ZpMIMK_I4TVenZ5lA2-os/w640-h342/BOB_6536%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Loch Garten.</p>Bob Eade.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15087975886344058082noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633531568827488212.post-52056741399188957522023-11-11T09:59:00.000+00:002023-11-11T09:59:27.260+00:00Cairngorm Mountain and the Mouse.<p style="text-align: center;"> After arriving at our base for the week at Boat of Garten, and seeing snow on the top of the Cairngorm Mountain, we decided to have a day searching for the Mountain Hares and Ptarmigan.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Parking at the Cairngorm Mountain car park we put on the extra layers we knew we would need very quickly, as it was pretty chilly there, and with a steady breeze and more snow a possibility it was only going to get even colder.</p><p style="text-align: center;">With no Snow Buntings showing near the car park we started the long climb up, heading up one of several footpaths towards the summit. With the snow being quite deep in places it was quite easy seeing tracks made by the Mountain Hares and probable Ptarmigan. However, as hard as we looked, both the Hares and Ptarmigan remained out of sight. There was however, some stunning scenery on offer.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0cyYtWfO45QhQxu71aBIMYHWW-q-xWdmGuDfauFi9X0c3ZCQ1O2XEdAZuKHP2g-FCWI6kEfRFRhJ5Cu7by30fcpwXki1RXPe0LE1AXBi5ZUQgQ1EFP53AicATMKtp147MrR3TWzqDSjo_80KSIClrWOngX4d5DEX3L16zMM3nhuOXcgFIec3ghYTXSM/s2500/IMG_2355%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1283" data-original-width="2500" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0cyYtWfO45QhQxu71aBIMYHWW-q-xWdmGuDfauFi9X0c3ZCQ1O2XEdAZuKHP2g-FCWI6kEfRFRhJ5Cu7by30fcpwXki1RXPe0LE1AXBi5ZUQgQ1EFP53AicATMKtp147MrR3TWzqDSjo_80KSIClrWOngX4d5DEX3L16zMM3nhuOXcgFIec3ghYTXSM/w640-h328/IMG_2355%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSBijqyHSXRFNjOc-ERnDm6S_PcXv5jhm0dJ2yoB33-IpwYHtjHFVIsSyFsTgQTu6G-wt8h7G-PLwVuhEJgMoZ2BthZnR2f_ypaqcvqshLajgD796Uxd5LkwZqkwbg4X8kRZ62TsO92XRrqDun-HhkSd61DnR4jsmmjHU26ia6LwukNoXHuxomt6xLYM/s4500/IMG_2359%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1673" data-original-width="4500" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSBijqyHSXRFNjOc-ERnDm6S_PcXv5jhm0dJ2yoB33-IpwYHtjHFVIsSyFsTgQTu6G-wt8h7G-PLwVuhEJgMoZ2BthZnR2f_ypaqcvqshLajgD796Uxd5LkwZqkwbg4X8kRZ62TsO92XRrqDun-HhkSd61DnR4jsmmjHU26ia6LwukNoXHuxomt6xLYM/w640-h238/IMG_2359%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A view with plenty of animal tracks!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRVQWf0R83LyQ5BPts13DigmBQXExt1XK3EUpOjcrT3vvS85fu6OH5rapIcBSzE9srJmFeu1d06SOuEhJRk8U2ATUzzE9Ycyi7a_UcFzIX9F3HcP-BVuf3INbUmGZ9pcD-MUILJb2fG2U1Ivtr7v4yrJ1GPWSuv4s4F9xGWbJp7sV3TPcfrBh0VMUwEY/s4032/IMG_2361.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRVQWf0R83LyQ5BPts13DigmBQXExt1XK3EUpOjcrT3vvS85fu6OH5rapIcBSzE9srJmFeu1d06SOuEhJRk8U2ATUzzE9Ycyi7a_UcFzIX9F3HcP-BVuf3INbUmGZ9pcD-MUILJb2fG2U1Ivtr7v4yrJ1GPWSuv4s4F9xGWbJp7sV3TPcfrBh0VMUwEY/w480-h640/IMG_2361.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A well wrapped up Lisa, and Lisa tracks!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir96cJEq-udXG50St256IO0Qctp-FSX6thq6mGkxad3Bd2emhgXZF0R-oCxuY4R3EcS2KrHih8qaa_k0W_3xgOD95Hcf5ud1akt0s196e6gcB_rRuU2icXbzk9egavq3FvB5z79nIZhk5z1h3hDkpgyVZ5XseHYHzklvqSrpCKHzhOTh2HYv5phxP7sE8/s4032/IMG_2366.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir96cJEq-udXG50St256IO0Qctp-FSX6thq6mGkxad3Bd2emhgXZF0R-oCxuY4R3EcS2KrHih8qaa_k0W_3xgOD95Hcf5ud1akt0s196e6gcB_rRuU2icXbzk9egavq3FvB5z79nIZhk5z1h3hDkpgyVZ5XseHYHzklvqSrpCKHzhOTh2HYv5phxP7sE8/w480-h640/IMG_2366.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Family gathering high up!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had just made it to the Ptarmigan restaurant when the weather suddenly changed to almost blizzard condition. Although the building was closed we still managed to shelter from the elements until the worst had passed over. It was then back to a mix of sunny intervals so we then climbed a little higher in our quest for the Hares and Ptarmigan, following some of the tracks and checking in lots of areas that seemed just right for them. After what seemed like several hours of climbing and searching we decided we had better head back down as time was moving on and it would be dark by the time we got back to the car if we were not careful. It wasn't much lower than the Ptarmigan restaurant when I suddenly spotted 2 Ravens attacking a Mountain Hare. The Hare was defending itself by standing on its back legs and kicking out with its front legs, and then running and swerving as it headed to a rocky outcrop. Fortunately, it made it to cover, and although the Ravens sat on the outcrop for a minute or so, they eventually gave up and flew away.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTqqBEu_0I1ZA7GuMK3ihqFCycVTY4J2LRjRydnyeedvio3H_AzRd8iuL18NxqZI2GC-AuiIOlTH94trKwxDXlPv5yag7sEmOrhOlLuJfzOIZlDU4K1Q5GkovUCNPNLxzFI_WaMD_jXPr6zyOycILHgXwGz-Js9QlR5L54SjLkbIk8h2JCqdAX3dO_Fg/s2976/ROB_6825.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1686" data-original-width="2976" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTqqBEu_0I1ZA7GuMK3ihqFCycVTY4J2LRjRydnyeedvio3H_AzRd8iuL18NxqZI2GC-AuiIOlTH94trKwxDXlPv5yag7sEmOrhOlLuJfzOIZlDU4K1Q5GkovUCNPNLxzFI_WaMD_jXPr6zyOycILHgXwGz-Js9QlR5L54SjLkbIk8h2JCqdAX3dO_Fg/w640-h362/ROB_6825.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Raven chasing the Mountain Hare.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At least we had now seen a Mountain Hare, although not quite in the way we had expected or hoped for.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just a little further down the mountain we suddenly saw what at first I thought was a small bird moving about in the snow. My immediate thought was that it was a Snow Bunting. However, looking through the binoculars we saw it was a Long-tailed Field Mouse. We crept a little bit closer and saw that it was feeding on some of the grass that was sticking up through the snow. As we stood there watching it, the mouse ran from a grass clump to more grass much nearer to us. It did this several times, so we were able to observe it and photograph it at very close range. It was certainly the highlight of the day!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kfwYkngI3vgGT5D8s9Upg8eBOttHWwl9c3O9tzS2b6eT6VvuXsR88KK5U8aFtmc68TKRzp6A4vjoyuCwXKq-tMgqLAuWtSoBPqkfBjpmljSUPciCYgvs0YjPR4q_q4KvrokPoIpOwbH6ZxGDTeaZFnEBUZwxVE93TIlEhFYfrVorkzX53os0O-Z9ZsA/s4600/ROB_6854%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2517" data-original-width="4600" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kfwYkngI3vgGT5D8s9Upg8eBOttHWwl9c3O9tzS2b6eT6VvuXsR88KK5U8aFtmc68TKRzp6A4vjoyuCwXKq-tMgqLAuWtSoBPqkfBjpmljSUPciCYgvs0YjPR4q_q4KvrokPoIpOwbH6ZxGDTeaZFnEBUZwxVE93TIlEhFYfrVorkzX53os0O-Z9ZsA/w640-h350/ROB_6854%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBmkB3oIOx3xGlapv-QH0U46-W9P_7v6ifjtzgTGtEkUmwVB0KKftrmitiwL7Rn1YfwwP_LTBdjIEy-bLZUSr-a52j_vSlgnbIdWy2CugTZ7CgSYc5KT-6ju6KTJt1e5f4t0spHGmUadcyPGhO4xUqxp479yfspHpunm367q0qlJuRgensylWNiZyAZI/s4600/ROB_6867%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2553" data-original-width="4600" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBmkB3oIOx3xGlapv-QH0U46-W9P_7v6ifjtzgTGtEkUmwVB0KKftrmitiwL7Rn1YfwwP_LTBdjIEy-bLZUSr-a52j_vSlgnbIdWy2CugTZ7CgSYc5KT-6ju6KTJt1e5f4t0spHGmUadcyPGhO4xUqxp479yfspHpunm367q0qlJuRgensylWNiZyAZI/w640-h356/ROB_6867%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNgECJG-BNsT_4nKOTHBbQGFvzqFDyGtqgxkejnLS3lX4JKDGQU2MyTPyDU8VstduQ_JzDyGIK_TbGhbq-uOSSaJbBQuIV05bDUvqAyTxtbPIYiCRNmxYI4lN5K9kNubD6sRN3FMv63BpQByMvv-vh3ZQL6rbLvkv37TmUbxbZr9JCYQ-IF-j75duE91A/s4600/ROB_6872%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2629" data-original-width="4600" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNgECJG-BNsT_4nKOTHBbQGFvzqFDyGtqgxkejnLS3lX4JKDGQU2MyTPyDU8VstduQ_JzDyGIK_TbGhbq-uOSSaJbBQuIV05bDUvqAyTxtbPIYiCRNmxYI4lN5K9kNubD6sRN3FMv63BpQByMvv-vh3ZQL6rbLvkv37TmUbxbZr9JCYQ-IF-j75duE91A/w640-h366/ROB_6872%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2l-AgJeJ59mE4FnuYsxabCCz1SVhNoGn_qBWyRpxpi2yUx9HWj9bf1Fb_JG0E75RitRMVnYh0MW-zN20ziwQotL6SYgEgta5ue2sgLM1xNmNQLO150RWz-52vkI7BaorQUU1Ws67kaPxEZdICCalviwzw2nbsdUlfL0VU71Rhra5xSvFHcTxBXtXSbg/s4600/ROB_6875%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="4600" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2l-AgJeJ59mE4FnuYsxabCCz1SVhNoGn_qBWyRpxpi2yUx9HWj9bf1Fb_JG0E75RitRMVnYh0MW-zN20ziwQotL6SYgEgta5ue2sgLM1xNmNQLO150RWz-52vkI7BaorQUU1Ws67kaPxEZdICCalviwzw2nbsdUlfL0VU71Rhra5xSvFHcTxBXtXSbg/w640-h356/ROB_6875%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbD5wB1GJ3lceZ77SNCu7IHO6QwG4gs8fOjtOGcpTd-RU464yzYLzEwxJ_yI4yQmxfCQuGjDBay8zRr2bte9QN4nF57Bhs8k-P1TBCTUUgtH87XJaK2H2VQrmxptqu5jQNHup7pfAg71jMcew-eAO5t0zVf56wdw01bY_HxQd1_-X597-6TmOIQBTiXQ/s4600/ROB_6876%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2681" data-original-width="4600" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbD5wB1GJ3lceZ77SNCu7IHO6QwG4gs8fOjtOGcpTd-RU464yzYLzEwxJ_yI4yQmxfCQuGjDBay8zRr2bte9QN4nF57Bhs8k-P1TBCTUUgtH87XJaK2H2VQrmxptqu5jQNHup7pfAg71jMcew-eAO5t0zVf56wdw01bY_HxQd1_-X597-6TmOIQBTiXQ/w640-h374/ROB_6876%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAtEl5PMN7-9tvFrAwqF9MG6lBr31AS0gDLezVmo4HQypyF_CgLZWR0w4L1pcbNzzsNRQbL6IDHH3UxWrOpbdGP0SfbEMLP9J0npl-wAvP3nIIra4pAFxcrKqjnH6JU2E9KWqWs6mgxrqWNwR0kIWin6vafspo9ReYtOmkJQtvLOE3zpnRKrDOgV8Uvo/s4600/ROB_6862%20(2)%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2612" data-original-width="4600" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAtEl5PMN7-9tvFrAwqF9MG6lBr31AS0gDLezVmo4HQypyF_CgLZWR0w4L1pcbNzzsNRQbL6IDHH3UxWrOpbdGP0SfbEMLP9J0npl-wAvP3nIIra4pAFxcrKqjnH6JU2E9KWqWs6mgxrqWNwR0kIWin6vafspo9ReYtOmkJQtvLOE3zpnRKrDOgV8Uvo/w640-h364/ROB_6862%20(2)%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Long-tailed Field Mouse feeding at Cairngorm Mountain.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After several very enjoyable minutes spent watching the mouse we then carried on down, only seeing a Red Grouse before getting to the car. The elusive Mountain Hares and Ptarmigan were still proving to be very difficult!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Certainly, at the beginning of the day we would not have expected the highlight of the day to be a mouse.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Bob Eade.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15087975886344058082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633531568827488212.post-91233847213342893592023-11-08T13:05:00.007+00:002023-11-09T17:50:52.132+00:00Red Deer in Scotland.<p style="text-align: center;"> After leaving Loch Arklet just as Storm Babet hit the east coast was very fortunate for us as we were heading to the west coast. Not long after arriving at our next base at Loch Kishorn we had several messages from friends and relatives to make sure we were okay. As it was, the west coast was not hit too bad, although we did have some pretty strong winds whilst we were there, especially on the top of the local mountains.</p><p style="text-align: center;">We were actually really lucky to have had our original accommodation cancelled as Lisa then found another much better self catering lodge at Ardarroch with wonderful views over the Loch. A place we would both love to return to one day.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_dovVBvJfiWVMHYgkZ4bpi-uSESLyHbVgJl7jpMddB8UTA_6287R_0QEPm9PLIfiipfCx_KzlDirqMj5x8UBW-JFyMLb8SnrY8Oe_aXpdAsrXB7GTF3o9cyG3Vwgv1NYler7HPnLeyiCyzoqjGTHqOHh4s0fY8hqyx7qc7RxqJwUfG4aKeUKPSlLSHQk/s4000/ROB_6555%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2248" data-original-width="4000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_dovVBvJfiWVMHYgkZ4bpi-uSESLyHbVgJl7jpMddB8UTA_6287R_0QEPm9PLIfiipfCx_KzlDirqMj5x8UBW-JFyMLb8SnrY8Oe_aXpdAsrXB7GTF3o9cyG3Vwgv1NYler7HPnLeyiCyzoqjGTHqOHh4s0fY8hqyx7qc7RxqJwUfG4aKeUKPSlLSHQk/w640-h360/ROB_6555%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">The view from the lodge on our first evening.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Lisa had been in this area once before when she had a guide lead her on the mountain looking for hares and Ptarmigan. Our hoped for siting of both at this destination was hindered by the strong winds at the top of the mountain. However, it did appear that we stood a good chance of seeing some Red Deer. In fact we saw one that first evening when we went for a stroll along the beach below the lodge and we stumbled across a Red Deer stag on the beach. By this time it was nearly dark, so we didn't get any photos, but we did have some great views of it.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Due to the extremely strong winds that were still with us the following day, we decided to go over the Applecross Pass to the village of Applecross. At times it was quite hairy going over the single track pass in the high winds. Fortunately, there were plenty of passing places, but it was still a relief to make it to the other side without getting blown off the road. </p><p style="text-align: center;">As we drove down the pass into Applecross we saw a small herd of deer in the field, so we stopped for a while to watch them. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6NYCsGL8RvAVt020PcXZKkOo1j6WqD9oIfXW8FpFys4a1PpNxCxghloo5r0liMD1WSPFBzFKkHCApPvu-4Ch_Bu8h2QQcjw1EYxaC7_SEDxjqjPsp0TkG3K0iy8yxXu22OFEmGhshrTJhQ0iefmydo790MtgGhCYjwKT0tGtQpiRnOnGkLkuPC6KrqFM/s4500/ROB_6561%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2521" data-original-width="4500" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6NYCsGL8RvAVt020PcXZKkOo1j6WqD9oIfXW8FpFys4a1PpNxCxghloo5r0liMD1WSPFBzFKkHCApPvu-4Ch_Bu8h2QQcjw1EYxaC7_SEDxjqjPsp0TkG3K0iy8yxXu22OFEmGhshrTJhQ0iefmydo790MtgGhCYjwKT0tGtQpiRnOnGkLkuPC6KrqFM/w640-h358/ROB_6561%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A Young Red Deer at Applecross.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just through the other side of the village we parked the car and started to wander about. The guide had also brought Lisa here before and shown her where deer are often found, so we went to the same area, seeing several Hooded Crow, Oystercatchers and Fieldfare on the way.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We soon came to the area where the deer had been on Lisa's last visit, and once again there was a decent sized herd there. It looked as though they were encouraged to the area by some feeding from the locals, so they were a little more approachable than some.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9CVeU01dQLa36nBmOwQGXWevasjmIyT2o2i6oLee-RelhtHQWPGuqpcHlkPldyZJetJ2cKSS16bQmSdSVFCla57KUtw_Mh5WLbdAPX35whkluztk9BYYhMAi29cDiGa_pB6zsmfveEsHnuz4R4f6Nlm8hV40rG5JLiv0E2RWEJil3AulmB8ffq_aZPE/s4500/ROB_6600%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2589" data-original-width="4500" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9CVeU01dQLa36nBmOwQGXWevasjmIyT2o2i6oLee-RelhtHQWPGuqpcHlkPldyZJetJ2cKSS16bQmSdSVFCla57KUtw_Mh5WLbdAPX35whkluztk9BYYhMAi29cDiGa_pB6zsmfveEsHnuz4R4f6Nlm8hV40rG5JLiv0E2RWEJil3AulmB8ffq_aZPE/w640-h368/ROB_6600%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>A Young Red Deer Stag.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzCtwaIQeMT3V7x4Go2Yrv_dmbiDvEgb8Y5z0m71BBFCqDqS3XaSUHapxo0qiBsdZj0VnYzz250f3zHjsLJNEWGwoWZdh2C5MysS8BX9CsPbchu2zfkN5PKjrug-SC1nY3EeiWCbYhzTZBYIqR8QbK9iziwqwuelzhjnHTj5yV_yGjc0QJWObxEt90zY/s4000/ROB_6591%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2543" data-original-width="4000" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzCtwaIQeMT3V7x4Go2Yrv_dmbiDvEgb8Y5z0m71BBFCqDqS3XaSUHapxo0qiBsdZj0VnYzz250f3zHjsLJNEWGwoWZdh2C5MysS8BX9CsPbchu2zfkN5PKjrug-SC1nY3EeiWCbYhzTZBYIqR8QbK9iziwqwuelzhjnHTj5yV_yGjc0QJWObxEt90zY/w640-h406/ROB_6591%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Red Deer Stag Resting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After spending some time with the deer we headed back over the pass. Applecross had been quite sheltered from the wind, but as we hit the top of the pass it once again hit us as to how powerful the wind was. As we reached the bottom of the mountain and approached the tiny village a Red Deer stag was spotted in the field next to the road. We couldn't stop the car where we were, but we parked the car a little further along the road and walked back. The stag was still nearby feeding and we just about managed to get some views of it as it fed in the undergrowth. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMElP4R5_-9u9bWGqTFTGJC2TzoiGBLKLQd2fLqTGH7qbIigaTZNPYzpO_GpLSRghe5n_bOJ6fyh-XrAZij0bmTZtNldSgb10AbopTLTqhdalj_WBzszGNmMafsGsl-QRIo3WjGaaSTlJ8xFeAsZ6f8unuLJIMWSUoCJDWWycNqQnmcmXkF5DO4khmJNg/s5000/ROB_6644%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2855" data-original-width="5000" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMElP4R5_-9u9bWGqTFTGJC2TzoiGBLKLQd2fLqTGH7qbIigaTZNPYzpO_GpLSRghe5n_bOJ6fyh-XrAZij0bmTZtNldSgb10AbopTLTqhdalj_WBzszGNmMafsGsl-QRIo3WjGaaSTlJ8xFeAsZ6f8unuLJIMWSUoCJDWWycNqQnmcmXkF5DO4khmJNg/w640-h366/ROB_6644%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Red Deer Stag</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Although it had been a really good day, we were both keen to get some photos of the deer high up in the mountains. However, the wind was not going to go away anytime soon!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The following day, we once again decided to go over the pass to Applecross and perhaps carry on along the coast road for the tremendous views on offer. On the drive up we had some tantalising views of some deer on the mountain, but it wasn't easy to stop the car on the pass with a few other vehicles also using the pass. We did manage to stop briefly though for a stag that was bellowing loudly high above us. He had several hinds with him too and going by his actions there was another stag not far away. He was a little too far away for good photos, but it was still good to get some shots of him as he paraded about.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5hrznX5XHmtYCikHEgS7utxQ9UpzS6bYT8xxTUiRUoEBfDh-ErCxsU7Mdymd3EE84zAt8xnoyWI1EBdgFMZcUiMutr-xLFx2wXEPMU6v6nkCOQVURr9Ev8hOVWO2yV-x-LI6k5QgRJEepaTohl7T3ugIaK3l5arEAntRE5NngUitibuAJ1JIQI4CcZM/s4000/ROB_6666%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2418" data-original-width="4000" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5hrznX5XHmtYCikHEgS7utxQ9UpzS6bYT8xxTUiRUoEBfDh-ErCxsU7Mdymd3EE84zAt8xnoyWI1EBdgFMZcUiMutr-xLFx2wXEPMU6v6nkCOQVURr9Ev8hOVWO2yV-x-LI6k5QgRJEepaTohl7T3ugIaK3l5arEAntRE5NngUitibuAJ1JIQI4CcZM/w640-h386/ROB_6666%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A Big Red Deer Stag.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> At the viewpoint at the top we stopped again, and was surprised to see a couple of walkers walking back down from the mast right at the top of the mountain. At that point we thought that maybe it wasn't as bad out there as we had thought. Well, either that or the 2 walkers were totally bonkers!! Lisa actually went and spoke with them to find out how they had got on up there. The girl only had normal leggings too, so we decided we were probably more equipped than they were so we may as well attempt the walk up. After all, it was our chance of perhaps seeing Mountain Hare and Ptarmigan.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On the walk up it was actually quite difficult standing upright when the biggest gusts hit us, and I was a little worried that a gust at the wrong time could lead to a leg injury. However it was also quite exciting walking around up there in the extreme wind. Of course, any sensible Ptarmigan would never venture out into the open in those conditions so it wasn't a surprise we failed on that count. as we headed back to the car, Lisa suddenly spotted a Red Deer hind and youngster. It was quite hard holding the camera steady in the wind, but we at last had some photos of the deer high up in the mountains.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZz_rFEJDnLEUbufcpR1Bj2HjlBy2bMWu1eKfxZZd_sBYvZcl9r6uMKO4hB9leY9ebWbjFQrVi9qeeTJVaPDL3wHOVyse9wwmk_fOPi0jOc9NtAyTV6ALXpQDbkAsyRjdeB8pCK1e-F4kJwkhqND0hFjdwZaOFKYnjWLXm0XJ9-k9tUM9qbEdWwzdJHgs/s4800/ROB_6717%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZz_rFEJDnLEUbufcpR1Bj2HjlBy2bMWu1eKfxZZd_sBYvZcl9r6uMKO4hB9leY9ebWbjFQrVi9qeeTJVaPDL3wHOVyse9wwmk_fOPi0jOc9NtAyTV6ALXpQDbkAsyRjdeB8pCK1e-F4kJwkhqND0hFjdwZaOFKYnjWLXm0XJ9-k9tUM9qbEdWwzdJHgs/s4800/ROB_6717%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjy4lyhp4gRFReKV7K_CMm6SSTDulR3sITDTuO_B-JfCMyBTUUkBIPenCT4SBmXRWOYWhVm6CFXbN7NagQ2hFgryuKqe4nDTLF346BkWoRJ5tTaV9l1VisesHgar9uP95-rtnlGX23Yklz8KlKFq9EMsefgIBUbF8-fAwSU_EPkoUlZzKHcZ8OWDGEG4Lw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2761" data-original-width="4500" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjy4lyhp4gRFReKV7K_CMm6SSTDulR3sITDTuO_B-JfCMyBTUUkBIPenCT4SBmXRWOYWhVm6CFXbN7NagQ2hFgryuKqe4nDTLF346BkWoRJ5tTaV9l1VisesHgar9uP95-rtnlGX23Yklz8KlKFq9EMsefgIBUbF8-fAwSU_EPkoUlZzKHcZ8OWDGEG4Lw=w640-h392" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehYMCGt448iYjsmCm_4uIJLSgsl6_3p1IiWzzl8AljdlP0t-TgxOTM3-Sy7djtY7ZWRNYSQKDLWualSFRPNspzowvVF7m5_3PSnRdFsIZ2-fsCNG2HVIs7VA0J4Cy9KJRm_n8FbObgs8xmDUljwRuZMFfKvBAaP0-sBrEUEJ9RXva7g_XB_VxXdLLL1k/s4500/ROB_6735%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2667" data-original-width="4500" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehYMCGt448iYjsmCm_4uIJLSgsl6_3p1IiWzzl8AljdlP0t-TgxOTM3-Sy7djtY7ZWRNYSQKDLWualSFRPNspzowvVF7m5_3PSnRdFsIZ2-fsCNG2HVIs7VA0J4Cy9KJRm_n8FbObgs8xmDUljwRuZMFfKvBAaP0-sBrEUEJ9RXva7g_XB_VxXdLLL1k/w640-h380/ROB_6735%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Red Deer Hind.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As the walk had taken quite a bit of time we then decided to head back to Ardarroch instead of continuing to Applecross. Another good decision as we had 2 lovely encounters from the car on the way back down the pass. The younger one, below, was just above one of the passing places so we were lucky that we could observe the deer for a few minutes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYX2PD4E-0eV4JwZVr1C2oT2olGejkPtSfj7zM9Y-74_h1PYi9DvkP_gNSrLHFll4W6Z69yPTWqqLaJnBfuVnffzYaks7dK0Eg5aGW_Zb1k-xhLbJ65aR-w93SDwM54z2BBE4lbMH-qQ7sG8cp-1GsMPu7ydfW2oTH3hlJ_9PnwDoGQ6cgoUVhtiaYps/s4500/ROB_6775%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2731" data-original-width="4500" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYX2PD4E-0eV4JwZVr1C2oT2olGejkPtSfj7zM9Y-74_h1PYi9DvkP_gNSrLHFll4W6Z69yPTWqqLaJnBfuVnffzYaks7dK0Eg5aGW_Zb1k-xhLbJ65aR-w93SDwM54z2BBE4lbMH-qQ7sG8cp-1GsMPu7ydfW2oTH3hlJ_9PnwDoGQ6cgoUVhtiaYps/w640-h388/ROB_6775%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A Young Male Red Deer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As we approached the bottom of the pass another car had stopped just by a slightly older stag. Thinking that the man was photographing the deer we pulled up carefully behind him. However, he seemed only interested in photographing the scenery. We couldn't work out if he had even seen the deer, but how he could have missed it? The deer here looked fabulous in the autumnal colours of the vegetation.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTje4zTzYYbdwgQvzrus7bJsqVfartFkIgdjjMXoTr9vIy8Gz_dqc2uDSI6FrxHQ5j8PTlnYxQu7Sq1J9Roww29PHM9JhOqRVWHuKbFK4_ljTsDGvqUHat7yeoQL-pg8HAWhR4rAltD1jqgguZScRfH_eJe-jH0uv5W1MPPal1W3-JTglwkxicWyPWEA/s4500/ROB_6777%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2643" data-original-width="4500" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTje4zTzYYbdwgQvzrus7bJsqVfartFkIgdjjMXoTr9vIy8Gz_dqc2uDSI6FrxHQ5j8PTlnYxQu7Sq1J9Roww29PHM9JhOqRVWHuKbFK4_ljTsDGvqUHat7yeoQL-pg8HAWhR4rAltD1jqgguZScRfH_eJe-jH0uv5W1MPPal1W3-JTglwkxicWyPWEA/w640-h376/ROB_6777%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUo2sI8J6bdtdJCSoM0wpU2PX3GbQ10_x9kiqgpErE7IY0YF9dtNllkHOguSXQBWQ8O7y_jxIVys7btjEKclsgy3DsnyIJmT0B3jF7A8UAlr-14OoXY5ZE5O0ckyIMVtgDFtk5-eDr-mZAzXuRv02OFCIaF5cdyPWfKoXI4XQ-TZF_Um65eiwP-5Mu_D4/s4500/ROB_6788%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2825" data-original-width="4500" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUo2sI8J6bdtdJCSoM0wpU2PX3GbQ10_x9kiqgpErE7IY0YF9dtNllkHOguSXQBWQ8O7y_jxIVys7btjEKclsgy3DsnyIJmT0B3jF7A8UAlr-14OoXY5ZE5O0ckyIMVtgDFtk5-eDr-mZAzXuRv02OFCIaF5cdyPWfKoXI4XQ-TZF_Um65eiwP-5Mu_D4/w640-h402/ROB_6788%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Young Male Red Deer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The following day, it was time to move on to our next destination. The weather had now really deteriorated with constant rain. Although, the wind had actually dropped a tiny bit. It was also a bit colder, shown by the snow on top of many of the mountains. Once again we went over the Applecross pass and headed around the coastal route for many miles seeing some great views, as well as some Gannets over the sea.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After driving for many miles we pulled into a car park in the middle of nowhere!! There were a few other cars in the car park too, but as we drove in we couldn't believe our eyes as there was a stag standing amongst the cars. It had obviously realised that if it stayed there it would be fed by the people from the cars. At one point a lady started to stroke it. A very bizarre moment!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8FAN0yRXcgA-YVz-p90p8l1ZcEe8PScd7LZBw6kAFC6xEbiWvvYcP0IVGAd5QOesyIKPB-sv09HsImjnU8eFaJeNmjyqMsMrv3_PCSY2jeW654TdOvmAnRagsQc7imJKbLZb9PNpuKGAHA-pnZ4bqyoMyCzPOwymfQ_ye7Bwb3qBvCcDwXB-K4dXd4U/s4500/ROB_6810%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4500" data-original-width="2914" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8FAN0yRXcgA-YVz-p90p8l1ZcEe8PScd7LZBw6kAFC6xEbiWvvYcP0IVGAd5QOesyIKPB-sv09HsImjnU8eFaJeNmjyqMsMrv3_PCSY2jeW654TdOvmAnRagsQc7imJKbLZb9PNpuKGAHA-pnZ4bqyoMyCzPOwymfQ_ye7Bwb3qBvCcDwXB-K4dXd4U/w414-h640/ROB_6810%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="414" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4SdDRdPxXJGwYWHYvoDlG_nftlFJRRQBsOpTxb3OMRpninyuYdnxuSwhN5LMR1aPVnCMnMn64_HcZbju-6nGx53BbXaP3z20maxvBWJk5qXMViDhs_3Onv5cBuk39zhLUIz1kCD6zndxqKBxCOEHE2ZFrqD0eLXuyqGOt7R3BlMp0cV-zt785vEYvGDI/s4500/ROB_6818%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2584" data-original-width="4500" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4SdDRdPxXJGwYWHYvoDlG_nftlFJRRQBsOpTxb3OMRpninyuYdnxuSwhN5LMR1aPVnCMnMn64_HcZbju-6nGx53BbXaP3z20maxvBWJk5qXMViDhs_3Onv5cBuk39zhLUIz1kCD6zndxqKBxCOEHE2ZFrqD0eLXuyqGOt7R3BlMp0cV-zt785vEYvGDI/w640-h368/ROB_6818%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Red Deer Stag.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We then continued our journey over to Boat of Garten where we were to spend the next week. On the way we managed to avoid most of the flooded roads. At one point I had a case of Deja vu as I suddenly realised I was photographing the same view as I had back a couple of years earlier when Matt and I were in the area.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Bob Eade.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15087975886344058082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633531568827488212.post-3010825936772733592023-11-06T17:38:00.009+00:002023-11-06T17:44:56.415+00:00Scotland.<p style="text-align: center;"> Just over 2 years ago I met Matt at Inverness for a short trip to hopefully see some of the rare dragonflies and mountain birds and animals found in Scotland. The trip was mostly very successful, well, the dragonfly part of it was, but the weather turned nasty and I was still to see my first Ptarmigan, Crested Tit and many more species. I did on that occasion see an extremely wet and windswept Mountain Hare. At the time I was in the same predicament, so much so I didn't even attempt a photograph, but at least I had seen one. </p><p style="text-align: center;">https://bobsbutterflies.blogspot.com/2021/07/scottish-dragons.html</p><p style="text-align: center;">https://bobsbutterflies.blogspot.com/2021/07/scottish-orchids-and-butterfly.html</p><p style="text-align: center;">So, when Lisa suggested a trip to Scotland I was more than keen. It is an area I have only visited a couple of times previously and one of those was over 30 years ago for my brother's wedding, so that was hardly a wildlife hit!!</p><p style="text-align: center;">The other time was with Nigel to see the Chequered Skipper, which too, was very successful, with us seeing plenty of the skippers as well as many other great insects.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Lisa had never been during the Red Deer rut, so this is one of the reasons that we chose mid to late October. As she had visited Scotland several times before it was down to her to choose the areas that we would visit. We would have 4 bases during the 16 days that we would be in Scotland, as well as an overnight stop on the way up and down near Martin Mere wetland centre. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Our main targets would be Red Deer, Red Squirrel, Mountain Hare and Ptarmigan. Also, anything else that we could stumble upon.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Both the visits, up and down, to Martin Mere were good, although these were both quite short, as the centre was nearing closing time on the upward journey, and the return leg we had lots of miles ahead of us.</p><p style="text-align: center;">The timing was actually pretty good as many Whooper Swans had recently arrived to spend the winter at the site. We also had great views of Marsh Harriers and Snipe and a distant view of a Barn Owl. My hope to show Lisa her first Bearded Tits however, were unsuccessful.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZRPJaZrIxKnKp6wgn8OToT-UiEnN14poak5tY534cHnTXHLDeY6q5ODRN6yH6CnHQLlzNCuaFiCocbhjAbtwhnbn5LUwPaXfWKL22jWZJ-vyGoiOk7HMVboCgdXeFj1OjkWlE23YxancFyoxIx8RbONQBv2kA2MoiQqMfVlYVGnOLYUBykC9ewEtuUc/s4500/ROB_6488%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2706" data-original-width="4500" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZRPJaZrIxKnKp6wgn8OToT-UiEnN14poak5tY534cHnTXHLDeY6q5ODRN6yH6CnHQLlzNCuaFiCocbhjAbtwhnbn5LUwPaXfWKL22jWZJ-vyGoiOk7HMVboCgdXeFj1OjkWlE23YxancFyoxIx8RbONQBv2kA2MoiQqMfVlYVGnOLYUBykC9ewEtuUc/w640-h384/ROB_6488%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVGeFzB1vnkD5ire7GPbuco5i96AISLzxMR1tMQKe67hq4dymwLyVnIQwfQeHcG54oABW-6nqwPSKpwGZUnl_VEE5n7-VixhXsWda_a7phAY9X_aObnxS_XDsGyMe-8Q4Utc4xhkaDffd0wFCKa8prbUwBNoL05Qi258_dXTVA-2gkzu3tuj0fN3zzSo/s4500/ROB_6491%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2489" data-original-width="4500" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVGeFzB1vnkD5ire7GPbuco5i96AISLzxMR1tMQKe67hq4dymwLyVnIQwfQeHcG54oABW-6nqwPSKpwGZUnl_VEE5n7-VixhXsWda_a7phAY9X_aObnxS_XDsGyMe-8Q4Utc4xhkaDffd0wFCKa8prbUwBNoL05Qi258_dXTVA-2gkzu3tuj0fN3zzSo/w640-h354/ROB_6491%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Whooper Swans on the trip north.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYPY3uo5r4IxPGQzSE6iRGC5_ciWtTJeuoxoTAmRzkab5xWxZDummeAf9TVkqhItQn5ZRkveWv7cQZgCosRMNw1dm07ZVOc6CjuhsiDKa6lMYDTFaocBul_62IC-vROqSo28fu8nqCdadeCaq0pZdrT1-lbh-To11-CACgW3vfmMSZbFSEHVtVJbI9Aw/s4500/ROB_6499%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2571" data-original-width="4500" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYPY3uo5r4IxPGQzSE6iRGC5_ciWtTJeuoxoTAmRzkab5xWxZDummeAf9TVkqhItQn5ZRkveWv7cQZgCosRMNw1dm07ZVOc6CjuhsiDKa6lMYDTFaocBul_62IC-vROqSo28fu8nqCdadeCaq0pZdrT1-lbh-To11-CACgW3vfmMSZbFSEHVtVJbI9Aw/w640-h366/ROB_6499%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Whooper Swan flying in for the winter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On the return journey we had better light which helped the photography.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblXNgblznkPAS1x7_NG_YtgG2YbBKO3zSo29el7LrMQ4ASgvwbNEY0qwMdmM-pgaakhYEVZenJKc7unkCfH3x5WvkZfl7u5eeEG02gSRDvwC6cIlBS7AiqZr91zqUx-rjOn3uJGDIcpPNED0hmfBGNimUlsdW9vaDilCoZoJBkUnttJbZHEBXrc2N06k/s4500/ROB_7284%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2334" data-original-width="4500" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblXNgblznkPAS1x7_NG_YtgG2YbBKO3zSo29el7LrMQ4ASgvwbNEY0qwMdmM-pgaakhYEVZenJKc7unkCfH3x5WvkZfl7u5eeEG02gSRDvwC6cIlBS7AiqZr91zqUx-rjOn3uJGDIcpPNED0hmfBGNimUlsdW9vaDilCoZoJBkUnttJbZHEBXrc2N06k/w640-h332/ROB_7284%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxd2i7ny3_qvfLeyjMElJC5ncWjSNezU9QUk3jKbENnNw_SqNhw32efEFoRAInCr4iSnSNBwHG5VetqJxV-ks66Gn8Z_F3seVKwJGm1cPKn6G1fOzjTRoTDJtUMKbfv9j0c-bVftf1uwHovHTvZ8lJxNdijED35Jfio7Gf9dDGy73V1Ya4NisrUBcUyU/s4500/ROB_7287%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4500" data-original-width="3156" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxd2i7ny3_qvfLeyjMElJC5ncWjSNezU9QUk3jKbENnNw_SqNhw32efEFoRAInCr4iSnSNBwHG5VetqJxV-ks66Gn8Z_F3seVKwJGm1cPKn6G1fOzjTRoTDJtUMKbfv9j0c-bVftf1uwHovHTvZ8lJxNdijED35Jfio7Gf9dDGy73V1Ya4NisrUBcUyU/w448-h640/ROB_7287%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="448" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Whooper Swan feeding.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ygjWUBxxsDHTrYLzwFCCtR04Wbxw00lKGo_P8X0QNwHom5Bo9GImzMaaMs5Kos6VTc2Zcyf9L-d71ue9YT-QC4_-P1FaSb-EPm8v3EIzIgh82C9LxQEmqKzfttcwMpDwQdWfMcivdHvB8_8QK-2PzbzHrnIRnQOSvHZjoIg3Ly1yWgShFyVBThzcnzY/s3700/ROB_7280%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2209" data-original-width="3700" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ygjWUBxxsDHTrYLzwFCCtR04Wbxw00lKGo_P8X0QNwHom5Bo9GImzMaaMs5Kos6VTc2Zcyf9L-d71ue9YT-QC4_-P1FaSb-EPm8v3EIzIgh82C9LxQEmqKzfttcwMpDwQdWfMcivdHvB8_8QK-2PzbzHrnIRnQOSvHZjoIg3Ly1yWgShFyVBThzcnzY/w640-h382/ROB_7280%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Common Snipe.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our first base was near Loch Lomond, and although the wildlife wasn't so prevalent here, we still had a few nice encounters. This included a Red Admiral high up on our first walk. A very strange place to see a butterfly in mid October. Fox Moth caterpillars were also seen high up. We also heard some Red Deer stags bellowing in the distance. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A walk around part of Loch Lomond on day 2 produced some nice Hooded Crows. Several flocks of small birds also gave me a couple of shots of a Treecreeper and a Nuthatch. We also saw a wonderful Dipper on the edge of Loch Lomond, a species we just don't get anywhere near Sussex. Unfortunately, it flew before either of us could get a photo.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YUFHc2vFN8vUySw8sXgRio95y0hF8MNw1fF9MD8pVtG9VJQgd59iFl3us9D-KsIuW9YS80IgAGA3soyGPpJ0wwVNxWPFSmB3ryK6wFA0OQT2Yxqsa1pNXir4kkAZ5iwSqKNkZ61fHUBDQD_Vr4VaQzHs-LRgUTg2lDD3Aav5ujScAn0_P7RO6C-e7UE/s3900/ROB_6507%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2321" data-original-width="3900" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YUFHc2vFN8vUySw8sXgRio95y0hF8MNw1fF9MD8pVtG9VJQgd59iFl3us9D-KsIuW9YS80IgAGA3soyGPpJ0wwVNxWPFSmB3ryK6wFA0OQT2Yxqsa1pNXir4kkAZ5iwSqKNkZ61fHUBDQD_Vr4VaQzHs-LRgUTg2lDD3Aav5ujScAn0_P7RO6C-e7UE/w640-h380/ROB_6507%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Treecreeper.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHXXiUDkdpelyBGfTxIj13lr4SVvU_lt_k2LMGCgq40Wj1i48E9LboVXcXTVfQoATMM8UNw-YmKfUS1iy0o0XS1KylMMYbmcVjY31c7_B1jtlLiPlGelllvWQBFKOwn77QyAh1UlOKfACAMc0EEfMV3OSNkMqBH__qKHHDPzen7ihVY2iaIUJw7QIbg4/s3900/ROB_6514%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2414" data-original-width="3900" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHXXiUDkdpelyBGfTxIj13lr4SVvU_lt_k2LMGCgq40Wj1i48E9LboVXcXTVfQoATMM8UNw-YmKfUS1iy0o0XS1KylMMYbmcVjY31c7_B1jtlLiPlGelllvWQBFKOwn77QyAh1UlOKfACAMc0EEfMV3OSNkMqBH__qKHHDPzen7ihVY2iaIUJw7QIbg4/w640-h396/ROB_6514%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nuthatch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As ever, Scotland is absolutely beautiful. We had so many amazing views during the trip. Most of my scenic shots were with the phone as I don't have a wide angle lens. The following were with the 500mm and a telephoto zoom, which were not really ideal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSe8x-xe8WHB5QrWW_z1-oECZbWxNqmkR4Ii5w0yptXS7ooNY8sm6mjhhEA6AOq96ZH75MaQ2iboTAZ9tCYiOEwN7Wnb9QD2CsG1OyFkG8pEYpGeuXs1oWWrpWtH5iKICJ4gLgNUKwcNpob7fuAIplf3N2v1vzsFn6l7OsSIAIlnYFJhHa4lmeQlCW8II/s4500/ROB_6516%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2823" data-original-width="4500" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSe8x-xe8WHB5QrWW_z1-oECZbWxNqmkR4Ii5w0yptXS7ooNY8sm6mjhhEA6AOq96ZH75MaQ2iboTAZ9tCYiOEwN7Wnb9QD2CsG1OyFkG8pEYpGeuXs1oWWrpWtH5iKICJ4gLgNUKwcNpob7fuAIplf3N2v1vzsFn6l7OsSIAIlnYFJhHa4lmeQlCW8II/w640-h402/ROB_6516%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Above Loch Lomond.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5AwMR0_a5k5bjv6_Z8QTAAOvI4HkYo9EiRAfAZ6rYnO3V4QnP2ivUXFO_dR3dNFDzBrRqKznXSaaCdtvq5UDpffxPs8KrD8grs77DzRUWApDObY09lv-zNE74Z8URVsoB1MGAoKWwMFWt4ljw_EJnMsaIB6pINFQap6bJYD3wk4iJKAwAdytZGmKaf7E/s4500/ROB_6522%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4500" data-original-width="3026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5AwMR0_a5k5bjv6_Z8QTAAOvI4HkYo9EiRAfAZ6rYnO3V4QnP2ivUXFO_dR3dNFDzBrRqKznXSaaCdtvq5UDpffxPs8KrD8grs77DzRUWApDObY09lv-zNE74Z8URVsoB1MGAoKWwMFWt4ljw_EJnMsaIB6pINFQap6bJYD3wk4iJKAwAdytZGmKaf7E/w430-h640/ROB_6522%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A Misty Morning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSyHhnP0NJ6Hq7-ChCSmq0qSGKTFkxzOgxyyevrEJKiCxiI2nsXi2xBhy7-zMKgbeEIFQBsO5GAKGgvo7ayGKaAs1fOYaWfoTcrCMd6r0Tbf9T0IDz_oWIsMBl6753DsujlYpNk3xnowa8XeO-Nm0gORvNtz4c8NTOGubKrHADJdoLsIWHOnScgBuxmyY/s4500/ROB_6542%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2235" data-original-width="4500" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSyHhnP0NJ6Hq7-ChCSmq0qSGKTFkxzOgxyyevrEJKiCxiI2nsXi2xBhy7-zMKgbeEIFQBsO5GAKGgvo7ayGKaAs1fOYaWfoTcrCMd6r0Tbf9T0IDz_oWIsMBl6753DsujlYpNk3xnowa8XeO-Nm0gORvNtz4c8NTOGubKrHADJdoLsIWHOnScgBuxmyY/w640-h318/ROB_6542%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our first accommodation was at the far end of this Loch, Loch Arklet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A lovely view of a Weasel was had along the road to the house we were staying in on the way back from an evening out. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was after we left Loch Arklet that we really started to see some of our targets. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Bob Eade.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15087975886344058082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633531568827488212.post-79256189108971329342023-10-10T15:11:00.000+01:002023-10-10T15:11:09.310+01:00Lens Test.<p style="text-align: center;"> After quite a long break due to many commitments, I managed a great day out recently with David. This gave me a chance to test out my latest new lens, a much lighter version of a 500mm that I hope to take away to Scotland soon, as dragging the heavy 300mm f2.8 up the mountains doesn't really appeal anymore.</p><p style="text-align: center;">With no unusual birds about currently in our area we decided on a trip to Rye Harbour, where at least we would probably see a few nice things reasonably close to the hides. As it was we had only just entered the first hide when a Little Egret walked past in front only a few metres away. There were also a couple of Little Grebe swimming very close. Just what I needed to test out the lens on both camera bodies.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8F06czXuu3FK-kntQLn7RZTO8Pa_zz_E99u66_GMMnPrm4OlPkzv-3zMxLJDDwWpNYSVKjqBFQrAkT58SkKNyVTImOuGPNRsHxs5U1A-KJF-GzozsrEKlVD1G_hMtv5cGrwPepwd9tT6nkoWpqdPgI0HRLFY8tGX-N9foGX1nzuU2lqBBqV-ZWAmYQ4/s4500/BOB_6418%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2629" data-original-width="4500" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8F06czXuu3FK-kntQLn7RZTO8Pa_zz_E99u66_GMMnPrm4OlPkzv-3zMxLJDDwWpNYSVKjqBFQrAkT58SkKNyVTImOuGPNRsHxs5U1A-KJF-GzozsrEKlVD1G_hMtv5cGrwPepwd9tT6nkoWpqdPgI0HRLFY8tGX-N9foGX1nzuU2lqBBqV-ZWAmYQ4/w640-h374/BOB_6418%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Little Egret.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgl_3fFMGNCqzCeIbwarQM4gJMrEmUTmC7dE-RuPTl1ENX4sPKDzJzXAX561UL6SZfyPUY2JXr6V1qXEKNVBCKblZb_SMsZkptxZrVvYXcVlTrunyU0PjVoQKYlEditr-38-bj0FSaVuAFIh8INrPYDj7jhoZJqKaBZuFPJTTI9mhxcFbn0ooKRokk_Q/s4000/ROB_6333%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2210" data-original-width="4000" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgl_3fFMGNCqzCeIbwarQM4gJMrEmUTmC7dE-RuPTl1ENX4sPKDzJzXAX561UL6SZfyPUY2JXr6V1qXEKNVBCKblZb_SMsZkptxZrVvYXcVlTrunyU0PjVoQKYlEditr-38-bj0FSaVuAFIh8INrPYDj7jhoZJqKaBZuFPJTTI9mhxcFbn0ooKRokk_Q/w640-h354/ROB_6333%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Little Grebe.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The next hide produced very little so we then moved on a bit further to the next hide. This one had the sun well and truly behind us. From here we had a lot more interest with several ducks and geese not too far away, although at one point a small flock of Wigeon were heading straight for us when another couple entered the hide that the ducks heard, so they then drifted further away. However, there were still enough activity to keep us happy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARg-ZOPjDMuvg2na7SWuAMKn_azTiX7ebb-prCBxfh_cOYTUvDZ3lLR6L0rgjJFAw6BAxgm-T2zrCTk_-UgDD9e36x5GiwDxN0JkBwq5RFfDr3S_rcg0ldtbrJL3ExJ4O1_0oOCMSS1_bC-YA8mGIWs2o0u1c0wbgO4okcqAdzhoqZkxV2L6Y5TpiBU4/s4200/BOB_6435%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2303" data-original-width="4200" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARg-ZOPjDMuvg2na7SWuAMKn_azTiX7ebb-prCBxfh_cOYTUvDZ3lLR6L0rgjJFAw6BAxgm-T2zrCTk_-UgDD9e36x5GiwDxN0JkBwq5RFfDr3S_rcg0ldtbrJL3ExJ4O1_0oOCMSS1_bC-YA8mGIWs2o0u1c0wbgO4okcqAdzhoqZkxV2L6Y5TpiBU4/w640-h350/BOB_6435%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Low Flying Cormorant.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQYsZG-jEhB9rwNnei3pugf3BwdgAsnVNmskBffR5q2unktAHC7GWSyHcrgNH5DbBUL8_Ou0lUiwO0oiM1mqm-pUbJmyB15tH5iWNPEMz_gKDIcBM2xbEhbsaHEyyGMutAZs3ornYhEj4GF4fyWmjoQNb_f9dbWPdBS50amL75I149O4TYhGmwYAi0Yk/s3400/BOB_6440%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1890" data-original-width="3400" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQYsZG-jEhB9rwNnei3pugf3BwdgAsnVNmskBffR5q2unktAHC7GWSyHcrgNH5DbBUL8_Ou0lUiwO0oiM1mqm-pUbJmyB15tH5iWNPEMz_gKDIcBM2xbEhbsaHEyyGMutAZs3ornYhEj4GF4fyWmjoQNb_f9dbWPdBS50amL75I149O4TYhGmwYAi0Yk/w640-h356/BOB_6440%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Female Shoveler.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXI9fg1J91H0xodYzCnAxPnR7AGgikCuqWnqzu95bzdBwPMtk0JbI19If130RXIYZvKIYeeDvIjOSaKF1spkgYZwdBk0dmo1Bs5vawtus2MYkdBS5pV_E67Io91LklsMf7hGCWI-Vk3FNRUjDCKjwPbG-f9iEa9iFvFv2hakTrgOszu7yddNuyN7BlORc/s2500/BOB_6453%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1503" data-original-width="2500" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXI9fg1J91H0xodYzCnAxPnR7AGgikCuqWnqzu95bzdBwPMtk0JbI19If130RXIYZvKIYeeDvIjOSaKF1spkgYZwdBk0dmo1Bs5vawtus2MYkdBS5pV_E67Io91LklsMf7hGCWI-Vk3FNRUjDCKjwPbG-f9iEa9iFvFv2hakTrgOszu7yddNuyN7BlORc/w640-h384/BOB_6453%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Coot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjt8NbhI2Mjay0nVukn-4O7HDUIk4WPvmlLc3ydfdbkVYxM5VRna2g8elGXAjARlH08FWCwy5n0ryRL1RBbPkqYfIUq11TtqXV5G7e5uViulW2QcXJhYQs3wfNl5HlI6kFUwU78VrCsDgVg4GDI_9-xdxhmoBiAJP0agFeQ7w87STRMdh0PVzYcZ8LjU0/s4500/BOB_6452%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2594" data-original-width="4500" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjt8NbhI2Mjay0nVukn-4O7HDUIk4WPvmlLc3ydfdbkVYxM5VRna2g8elGXAjARlH08FWCwy5n0ryRL1RBbPkqYfIUq11TtqXV5G7e5uViulW2QcXJhYQs3wfNl5HlI6kFUwU78VrCsDgVg4GDI_9-xdxhmoBiAJP0agFeQ7w87STRMdh0PVzYcZ8LjU0/w640-h368/BOB_6452%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19eaIzEAmZSu6gwRd4yqcvHUUdYBvssxJsCSgI17J6eFIKCQhuvpiBFm_tfPxBX7JBOgI-SN8wwVFUyinrlw7q6xgiT-rfH6SBanvGNN_zOAimwgagyBSD_M85Bk5Nhb3jaC333j2q8NR8_SFsREWTux4xPa6k_rggH2smNoAZ04bJ42HfwlFdKZ8niE/s3708/BOB_6452%20-%20Copy%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2056" data-original-width="3708" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19eaIzEAmZSu6gwRd4yqcvHUUdYBvssxJsCSgI17J6eFIKCQhuvpiBFm_tfPxBX7JBOgI-SN8wwVFUyinrlw7q6xgiT-rfH6SBanvGNN_zOAimwgagyBSD_M85Bk5Nhb3jaC333j2q8NR8_SFsREWTux4xPa6k_rggH2smNoAZ04bJ42HfwlFdKZ8niE/w640-h354/BOB_6452%20-%20Copy%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A small flock of Graylag Geese. The same photo but cropped differently as I can't decide which I prefer!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We also had a sighting along the path of a couple of Magpie feeding on the head of a Sheep. Presumably finding some Ticks or other delights.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgED1tN7u9OEv9U3t4tkMvc7Sp1JXhw7BXBuXJsEZ4fRfoysu3Esd0xgFoaKar5D4n0kes4gT_7FS2ySI7x8xXZila_ZBG7Ro2BPUpTfUNLZ5WLKto4lXTzcQcr1nyWwpbS8zpe48iIdRNailLc1vM_4e6LGUVb99RnRKpfblT6PPdxMQbgwKt-efGnOUU/s4100/BOB_6458%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2572" data-original-width="4100" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgED1tN7u9OEv9U3t4tkMvc7Sp1JXhw7BXBuXJsEZ4fRfoysu3Esd0xgFoaKar5D4n0kes4gT_7FS2ySI7x8xXZila_ZBG7Ro2BPUpTfUNLZ5WLKto4lXTzcQcr1nyWwpbS8zpe48iIdRNailLc1vM_4e6LGUVb99RnRKpfblT6PPdxMQbgwKt-efGnOUU/w640-h402/BOB_6458%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Magpie on Sheep.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A couple of days later, Lisa and I headed over to Petworth Park to see if the Fallow Deer had started to rut. Indeed they had, and that gave me another opportunity to try out the lens. Even though Petworth Park is open to the public, the deer are still cautious of people, and I guess we couldn't get quite as close as we would have liked. However, there were many bucks collecting up a harem of does and we both managed a few decent images.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was particularly pleased with a couple of shots that showed intimate moments, one of a buck and doe touching noses in a very tender moment, and another with the doe looking up admiring the bellow the buck was giving.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJ0jQNZqzRX9XFn9fzx64Gl88lpzqiGxqsv1O11g71NnfAGNSIYHrNIwBBe4mtMLYycaP5VDtdbY0yEdrIeLj1ii4YqYR0k0Hzcwq2wo1JFCIreUKKQrQ3eUcCHqSrGczZxE3vUHInW3IJuEfCYz87QZ0sih5mg_oqmKPbC1uKQ2Xn8oB8zyuwSGFQOI/s3800/ROB_6360%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2273" data-original-width="3800" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJ0jQNZqzRX9XFn9fzx64Gl88lpzqiGxqsv1O11g71NnfAGNSIYHrNIwBBe4mtMLYycaP5VDtdbY0yEdrIeLj1ii4YqYR0k0Hzcwq2wo1JFCIreUKKQrQ3eUcCHqSrGczZxE3vUHInW3IJuEfCYz87QZ0sih5mg_oqmKPbC1uKQ2Xn8oB8zyuwSGFQOI/w640-h382/ROB_6360%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Who said that venison wasn't tender!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> A beautiful, very tender moment.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3hWyEi9W3c2SvwULkcfbc6QVZ0xySXyZdIA0KHEEwBoayy1p9gT48RfQyNtPX9-38mx7eNd_YMV3lDYauUWpvgle9zp9cnJL_PojLd2kYe707rufTjwA7TSoC6H3ipQYP-gZG4x_tWt83Ztngqfg6sUQWIauFeIj0fTP7iZfSTrnUgRQf0AdoXqvRDs/s4500/ROB_6428%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2585" data-original-width="4500" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3hWyEi9W3c2SvwULkcfbc6QVZ0xySXyZdIA0KHEEwBoayy1p9gT48RfQyNtPX9-38mx7eNd_YMV3lDYauUWpvgle9zp9cnJL_PojLd2kYe707rufTjwA7TSoC6H3ipQYP-gZG4x_tWt83Ztngqfg6sUQWIauFeIj0fTP7iZfSTrnUgRQf0AdoXqvRDs/w640-h368/ROB_6428%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Collecting up the does.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9NZc4XJ3aLewrG8fyqlfPvjCKlPpwMjRHMGfycGBIeP93H1vgtUnJZA4aaGAfwqU5mV-m83QY-UhlbxJbNAoMSoc-b7s3zvdXwk7tEH28D_ScRQISdMNHDWtWcr3WZ8pKfAB3sXiS_BjHScPFbSkiefOCyrFSD-Fik_Z1SnnVjiivN2MDyjbSbXemGrU/s4500/ROB_6339%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2654" data-original-width="4500" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9NZc4XJ3aLewrG8fyqlfPvjCKlPpwMjRHMGfycGBIeP93H1vgtUnJZA4aaGAfwqU5mV-m83QY-UhlbxJbNAoMSoc-b7s3zvdXwk7tEH28D_ScRQISdMNHDWtWcr3WZ8pKfAB3sXiS_BjHScPFbSkiefOCyrFSD-Fik_Z1SnnVjiivN2MDyjbSbXemGrU/w640-h378/ROB_6339%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A young Buck on the run.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY974f9k1kKGXRaEWgiiKZsrXT2jOTDioFiIUxq_fGaSh5Ah9cN6sR00lRJCySQS1HkSuzHwNmJnBC5HVAxAXNYOWtwFfIRZMBkKQV52fW5V1G-QkpGralkjItH5ht53fQBv8zIc_jp3c_KfJBg9iaQ0b_pvHJxrKSckAgflFTZz9kuisXmMhX-rb7OeY/s4500/ROB_6358%20(2)%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="4500" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY974f9k1kKGXRaEWgiiKZsrXT2jOTDioFiIUxq_fGaSh5Ah9cN6sR00lRJCySQS1HkSuzHwNmJnBC5HVAxAXNYOWtwFfIRZMBkKQV52fW5V1G-QkpGralkjItH5ht53fQBv8zIc_jp3c_KfJBg9iaQ0b_pvHJxrKSckAgflFTZz9kuisXmMhX-rb7OeY/w640-h364/ROB_6358%20(2)%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fallow Buck.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We then finished off the day at Arundel WWT where we had a distant view of a Kingfisher. Although a long way from my best Kingfisher shot, I was quite surprised how well the lens coped considering the distance, and that the lighting was far from perfect.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOpRENRgdnzX8xh7J5M7J5DGlT5oAA5XSyVd3jP-yPFMMB95T15DxW6bOuEJH8AUV6yGC7UK5PAGPwEvNuXs5uMiO6BnKZkx-T2UrhREJXCWoTz3lulYuyjmS0kfOZNrDA-lfDkU4jXXyKmcEn_wHyDGgl4o3FbJSIbzhXFovG7kkxzQl0vTd-Lfa7g7E/s3400/ROB_6460%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2089" data-original-width="3400" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOpRENRgdnzX8xh7J5M7J5DGlT5oAA5XSyVd3jP-yPFMMB95T15DxW6bOuEJH8AUV6yGC7UK5PAGPwEvNuXs5uMiO6BnKZkx-T2UrhREJXCWoTz3lulYuyjmS0kfOZNrDA-lfDkU4jXXyKmcEn_wHyDGgl4o3FbJSIbzhXFovG7kkxzQl0vTd-Lfa7g7E/w640-h394/ROB_6460%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kingfisher.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm now hoping to have some fun with the lens up in Scotland in the near future, and I find some creatures a little bit different to my usual fare.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Bob Eade.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15087975886344058082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633531568827488212.post-3748066680587993972023-09-26T09:42:00.000+01:002023-09-26T09:42:16.865+01:00Late Summer Highlights.<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It has been a fabulous year for my colony of Lace Border. After carrying out lots of scrub clearance work last winter, helped admirably by Graham, to help open up the area for the Thyme to grow the species has really taken off with my highest ever daily count in recent weeks of 30 individuals. Bearing in mind the total count of this species in Sussex between the 1970s and 2020 was only 5 individuals this is truly astonishing. With the other recently found colony also doing well, that I also monitor, Sussex is suddenly one of the best places in the UK to see this very rare moth.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNxYeS-geN9d9Bv32I4Ax4Mp6rfZdbXy9VcxQwa1nqSmDgkFHCqVVweH6f4iWrXd3f9c1IC754Yta4h3uGoZCkjHrs0bhmIqn_yudKBnR7DnrqlPwn17VtzGTDm8xu6erL3OO2L5KLoj9WRq-1ar2CNecxMikv3c8MMJ-ZcuhCDyIPcgH4y_l-hULBaI/s4100/ROB_5481%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2447" data-original-width="4100" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNxYeS-geN9d9Bv32I4Ax4Mp6rfZdbXy9VcxQwa1nqSmDgkFHCqVVweH6f4iWrXd3f9c1IC754Yta4h3uGoZCkjHrs0bhmIqn_yudKBnR7DnrqlPwn17VtzGTDm8xu6erL3OO2L5KLoj9WRq-1ar2CNecxMikv3c8MMJ-ZcuhCDyIPcgH4y_l-hULBaI/w640-h382/ROB_5481%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The beautiful Lace Border.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was also invited by Dave to go and see his colony of another rare moth, the Oblique Striped, that occurs on private land that he has permission to visit to monitor butterflies and moths. I had only seen one of these moths before, but by the end of the session we had seen around 17 of them as well as an egg laying Six-belted Clearwing and several Hummingbird Hawk-moths.</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfJIwr_9bFG2wCYAU2cCYDamrguFHJqijs5ryFDHTtipnPeJ9Z8CC5mGDZqkIoMuogKqMY2IppdpcIIOSQe_PhO94fyXO1LSfS2-oGA99n7uHPemrOFh6K9X8UtPN3LBKSmxKr1d8QufDcSk1y-NKaFosIYgrEcSd2K4C9dkUpEO-gsQpQB1xUoaKBDE/s3100/ROB_5426%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1815" data-original-width="3100" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfJIwr_9bFG2wCYAU2cCYDamrguFHJqijs5ryFDHTtipnPeJ9Z8CC5mGDZqkIoMuogKqMY2IppdpcIIOSQe_PhO94fyXO1LSfS2-oGA99n7uHPemrOFh6K9X8UtPN3LBKSmxKr1d8QufDcSk1y-NKaFosIYgrEcSd2K4C9dkUpEO-gsQpQB1xUoaKBDE/w640-h374/ROB_5426%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oblique Striped.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The late summer has once again produced several of the stunning Wasp Spider. The female of which is a very colourful species. I never tire of seeing this beautiful spider.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOaVrWQk2OPRPztkAuVzjCTi_TvqoErJfNJGNlwjtIRhrDlRInQpuG5ikLJR9H3xwWPuL9di9tHgSDZrwxJWiBGf7zZxJ4_HK9CExp7sNa2TG-z2PicfuB2gINpbv4Oysvp5DpMyCMU7B14c4JQAdgMaYLIRKfHq7sW5w10U5VkUkGFwC0kqlayIB7DhM/s4400/ROB_5451%20(2)%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2565" data-original-width="4400" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOaVrWQk2OPRPztkAuVzjCTi_TvqoErJfNJGNlwjtIRhrDlRInQpuG5ikLJR9H3xwWPuL9di9tHgSDZrwxJWiBGf7zZxJ4_HK9CExp7sNa2TG-z2PicfuB2gINpbv4Oysvp5DpMyCMU7B14c4JQAdgMaYLIRKfHq7sW5w10U5VkUkGFwC0kqlayIB7DhM/w640-h374/ROB_5451%20(2)%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Female Wasp Spider.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In the garden a month ago I had a lovely male Brimstone go to roost, and as it was there the following morning I had a short session photographing it, before it went back to feeding most of the day on the Buddleia.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5pjGEpn1PkPXx1_HCC6NO_XrSl4sGEe8rbBbIuxRJznO8LiUycKVHt0LxEWLngo1r3b5qSDvytoduCloGwDn6r7bW5F4I1jda-bXpdKnf3vuDrdY5BPpNWWcLlWFbJO59ZhHeEmAJrvPBjsCDaM8hKzcHe96ZEYGREe5f2uaRLtb0CGeViNOkQi8nK7M/s4500/ROB_5487%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2679" data-original-width="4500" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5pjGEpn1PkPXx1_HCC6NO_XrSl4sGEe8rbBbIuxRJznO8LiUycKVHt0LxEWLngo1r3b5qSDvytoduCloGwDn6r7bW5F4I1jda-bXpdKnf3vuDrdY5BPpNWWcLlWFbJO59ZhHeEmAJrvPBjsCDaM8hKzcHe96ZEYGREe5f2uaRLtb0CGeViNOkQi8nK7M/w640-h382/ROB_5487%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Male Brimstone on Purple Toadflax.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had a private Naturetrek tour with a lady from Yorkshire. She had booked me back in the spring with the request if possible to see the Long-tailed Blue and Clouded Yellow with a further request for the Silver-spotted Skipper. As I had the Butterfly 3 day tour the week before I was confident of showing her the Long-tailed Blue, but the Clouded Yellow was a bit more of a problem as they have been a bit thin on the ground this year, as was the Silver-spotted Skipper, as all the sites I am familiar with would be a problem fitting into the one day. So with a little bit of detective work Lisa and I went to check a couple of possible sites for the Skipper that would be nearer to where I was taking the lady for the other two requests. Not only did we find plenty of the Silver-spotted Skippers, Lisa also found a mating pair that performed very well for us.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On the day with the lady from Yorkshire, I managed to show her 7 Long-tailed Blue, 5 Clouded Yellow and many Silver-spotted Skipper. A very memorable and enjoyable day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2j66l8M5V3fnrh2UMFW4T-NzYOMJt9yAGtsLB0okkQolS-Li1z7YD6k1q9aGALaa-V1iA5ccSz9JbCMRV4t82GmSi7_tms7DId6b6cEq7zKkmOKUDlrQJ_c964-BU5T5tk0LGR40O3y_6LmJO6G-QgBrRIgX4RcWUP0LONm33_oO4smdQnfshH1Wd2Y/s4780/ROB_5609%20(3)%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2882" data-original-width="4780" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2j66l8M5V3fnrh2UMFW4T-NzYOMJt9yAGtsLB0okkQolS-Li1z7YD6k1q9aGALaa-V1iA5ccSz9JbCMRV4t82GmSi7_tms7DId6b6cEq7zKkmOKUDlrQJ_c964-BU5T5tk0LGR40O3y_6LmJO6G-QgBrRIgX4RcWUP0LONm33_oO4smdQnfshH1Wd2Y/w640-h386/ROB_5609%20(3)%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mating Silver-spotted Skipper.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I have done very little moth trapping this year, but with Lisa staying over I did put it out one night and caught my first ever Large Thorn. A really beautiful moth. Another highlight that night was a Portland Riband Wave.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOmghIBtqpltLd0gz0G7mKnNfsdMP_G2FeNxqN0Tjy0api51VYFTY81UWI08r9CR1xXV0wjIeHwGQ99VrSK6LGaZdDaSzuKvArcFwNmhNkKVDPPgwYC6wpGHu5f3w0INHk72hVJqHc7tKknZHhobbyB8wpkpDi8jRaMmzn14g2tEAzC40LCMDtOSvaJNU/s4000/ROB_5894%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2387" data-original-width="4000" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOmghIBtqpltLd0gz0G7mKnNfsdMP_G2FeNxqN0Tjy0api51VYFTY81UWI08r9CR1xXV0wjIeHwGQ99VrSK6LGaZdDaSzuKvArcFwNmhNkKVDPPgwYC6wpGHu5f3w0INHk72hVJqHc7tKknZHhobbyB8wpkpDi8jRaMmzn14g2tEAzC40LCMDtOSvaJNU/w640-h382/ROB_5894%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Large Thorn.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On one memorable day on the patch, I was showing a lady from Natural England the colony of Lace Border, a species that she was studying, when a female Grayling suddenly flew past. This was the first sighting of one on the patch since 2015. The site looks really good for the species, but they have never stuck here, probably getting blown away on the windier days. This female was observed the following day egg laying, so hopefully next year will see some more Grayling in the area.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOEB1OwFBp5upTWAFiyMZUUlv4fOGmM399xwBYIbu07c3t-jG9Qg0NuJum_CfOk0LN6JnjhuESS-uMyRG8MnnAAa_aamYwEHnT0p0vSy4i_DNzrW8aCMAR-tvLvfUU-8xfC8APGZK8uuMLuIZ5v1tv77MNbPwXLwd7RxW43Rmp7DcnyMxVaz-YV-aaHM/s3200/ROB_5719%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2082" data-original-width="3200" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOEB1OwFBp5upTWAFiyMZUUlv4fOGmM399xwBYIbu07c3t-jG9Qg0NuJum_CfOk0LN6JnjhuESS-uMyRG8MnnAAa_aamYwEHnT0p0vSy4i_DNzrW8aCMAR-tvLvfUU-8xfC8APGZK8uuMLuIZ5v1tv77MNbPwXLwd7RxW43Rmp7DcnyMxVaz-YV-aaHM/w640-h416/ROB_5719%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Female Grayling.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On the same day I also managed a nice photo of the Pyrausta nigrata on Common Centaury.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquU4aP08rGe1gFqjuOhT49lnu312USjCoi64u-2_gJN3jk9BTwUDCrJcdJutkB_Z7brLQUNvaY9emy6qaCE7t49hy6s_o8T9H1JkK-ra5dfnZU_IWPcr3QnvycacQ02f_TWGosttgS7tT8xBeX8fg77oMjLgpeNLOeLX2yB5F_oquYwZMx5eJqAynPE8/s3600/ROB_5717%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3600" data-original-width="2539" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquU4aP08rGe1gFqjuOhT49lnu312USjCoi64u-2_gJN3jk9BTwUDCrJcdJutkB_Z7brLQUNvaY9emy6qaCE7t49hy6s_o8T9H1JkK-ra5dfnZU_IWPcr3QnvycacQ02f_TWGosttgS7tT8xBeX8fg77oMjLgpeNLOeLX2yB5F_oquYwZMx5eJqAynPE8/w452-h640/ROB_5717%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="452" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pyrausta nigrata on Common Centaury.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Each year, another species that I like to try for is the extremely rare Wart-biter Cricket. Named back in the day when some very odd people thought the cricket could remove warts from your hand!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lisa had never seen this creature before, so it was well worth looking for. Not too far away from home is the largest natural UK colony of this wonderful cricket. There are also a couple of other local sites where they have been introduced by Natural England with crickets from the colony we were going to. The weather was not really that good, and after searching for some time I was about to give up when I spotted one. A male that was not quite fully grown. Such a delight seeing one of these crickets again. Afterwards we also saw several Raspberry Clearwing. Another new species for Lisa.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Mf21DWQV7qcHlnQsmS26Lr5VDgt-90M8LJhmZ6SOJVkkh1NYvOfOdFRE9Ic21-8oxyQY4x8EUUckFvLKsY2ObrmBahMFSCP2oLIzILB7u6Q-vsQ9nMngPk2Dg_i8wYvus1t--6jyAOVVQcXguJSDr8ko6zlNeiwxmLufhg8Ox1ZyDlZkDylESDsxt9E/s6000/ROB_5835%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3633" data-original-width="6000" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Mf21DWQV7qcHlnQsmS26Lr5VDgt-90M8LJhmZ6SOJVkkh1NYvOfOdFRE9Ic21-8oxyQY4x8EUUckFvLKsY2ObrmBahMFSCP2oLIzILB7u6Q-vsQ9nMngPk2Dg_i8wYvus1t--6jyAOVVQcXguJSDr8ko6zlNeiwxmLufhg8Ox1ZyDlZkDylESDsxt9E/w640-h388/ROB_5835%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Male Wart-biter.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A couple of weeks ago Lisa and I went to Petworth Park for her to test out her new telephoto lens on the Fallow Deer. I had left my telephoto gear at home, but at the time I was happy just to go and see what we could see. The session started really well with a beautiful example of the fungus Chicken Of The Woods. For this I had the better lens, whilst I used the macro, Lisa had to step further back with her big lens. However, when we came to some deer, she was in a much better position and she got some absolutely stunning photos, making me wish I had taken my telephoto gear too. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qGbvCdo2w79uG_cfXv4jtCsd5TVKn4qXZl9rDwpI3q5SWNX18tcso1W4Wk9dNPlbkvVsroxOaxWh0s2ogNxiG8-PTlDAs4V_dyO3ZZgIHmEo21B6Lhh7QAzecthoFXHK6tvlrGprwJlDCxbBvAiwt6LQaj7iNiX4ZjIVqYcTEW1wZ22zAyt_7ScOC40/s4500/ROB_6048%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2699" data-original-width="4500" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qGbvCdo2w79uG_cfXv4jtCsd5TVKn4qXZl9rDwpI3q5SWNX18tcso1W4Wk9dNPlbkvVsroxOaxWh0s2ogNxiG8-PTlDAs4V_dyO3ZZgIHmEo21B6Lhh7QAzecthoFXHK6tvlrGprwJlDCxbBvAiwt6LQaj7iNiX4ZjIVqYcTEW1wZ22zAyt_7ScOC40/w640-h384/ROB_6048%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Chicken Of The Woods fungi.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At Petworth we did see some Willow Emerald damselflies, and we also saw some more at Ebernoe Common afterwards too. However, I did see and get the photo below on my usual local site for them.</div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivyhPuUyQ2pV9JiQrRKtkPN23XMPzNNPd74iuaYL7o0wEgp7JTdzAs15xvLBsP5rZOkOHG-MwyELwM4NQF0DRv_yU2fgL6lBPsBQ2cwK-DlypVgYOfQpw-uk_khS5ugZh1wGbgX6KYpszPOKqRfeomwhLNCO7dPRGHPB-TDT3iRBI7MLgwE_9wC1fjTu0/s4500/ROB_5922%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2603" data-original-width="4500" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivyhPuUyQ2pV9JiQrRKtkPN23XMPzNNPd74iuaYL7o0wEgp7JTdzAs15xvLBsP5rZOkOHG-MwyELwM4NQF0DRv_yU2fgL6lBPsBQ2cwK-DlypVgYOfQpw-uk_khS5ugZh1wGbgX6KYpszPOKqRfeomwhLNCO7dPRGHPB-TDT3iRBI7MLgwE_9wC1fjTu0/w640-h370/ROB_5922%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Male Willow Emerald.</div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The past few days have been spent locally. At last Small Copper are being seen more regularly. This is often the story with Small Coppers with the 1st brood being few and far between. By the time the 3rd brood are on the wing numbers have built up. This lovely individual was taken on a weekend walk in Friston Forest.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4hi21n4T0OZ9wKG5cvFue49bDAlEHzjJ8BMeIMw_Ei9uxmZN1vjZ0jOyx54Nzhs1MSV3gGiDpM07FUC9jLZT0oaXWFnXp8_dnLkp7a8fZaiDFWM1LMgEeBoqyjPvoMHaTtPuXt1WL-XYoMM7aP8rn8WC70R-Pv9xC0nQH_lBzzCOEOOBftWlIK7iiTY/s3600/ROB_6110%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2188" data-original-width="3600" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4hi21n4T0OZ9wKG5cvFue49bDAlEHzjJ8BMeIMw_Ei9uxmZN1vjZ0jOyx54Nzhs1MSV3gGiDpM07FUC9jLZT0oaXWFnXp8_dnLkp7a8fZaiDFWM1LMgEeBoqyjPvoMHaTtPuXt1WL-XYoMM7aP8rn8WC70R-Pv9xC0nQH_lBzzCOEOOBftWlIK7iiTY/w640-h388/ROB_6110%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Female Small Copper.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On the same walk I had a quick look in a favoured Willow tree for caterpillars. It was only a couple of minutes into the search when I found this rather smart Poplar Hawk-moth larva.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0k2uRiOjUy0mVe7bKubkVo1LJTeT1F-DeY5Cqt2ecTiTaB4SU_yUU_Cs8HmVQqd62wkMSMzbSoX0YmQ9hGbvFNtxHQ_Sc6OzEY3DIdxQ3-lesWZbhBMhN2mnA6LW8dH9h_rogq7pYzJxj54Y22meCJAHT9batAHnoK7DICzgKtCjeeLuONp15istAGE/s5000/ROB_6146%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3003" data-original-width="5000" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0k2uRiOjUy0mVe7bKubkVo1LJTeT1F-DeY5Cqt2ecTiTaB4SU_yUU_Cs8HmVQqd62wkMSMzbSoX0YmQ9hGbvFNtxHQ_Sc6OzEY3DIdxQ3-lesWZbhBMhN2mnA6LW8dH9h_rogq7pYzJxj54Y22meCJAHT9batAHnoK7DICzgKtCjeeLuONp15istAGE/w640-h384/ROB_6146%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Poplar Hawk-moth larva.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Butterflies are now beginning to slow right down with many species having now finished for the year. However, there are still some gems about. Flying on a walk I did yesterday were lots of Speckled Wood, Red Admiral and Peacock. I was actually doing my 3rd brood Wall Brown count, which ended up slightly disappointing, although to be fair, I was a week or so too late. I did see 23 as well as a dead one in a spider's web. A couple of Comma's also put on a nice show, including this beauty that I had to stand on tip-toe to photograph. I do sometimes wish I was a few inches taller!!</div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIRU6jenM7y8y_iECrNN-sogW42dANMCQgcqTJcz_OaqY3pVFvkq6Q2YP-WG23_q7MCTAUnTUZB6IIOd10cpATyxn7ew6-xrr31avMXF4sX-RpSTaywIvh-tRXCcL-akPIMKtEXwg8sj1Eix5lgHSFcuz9IBT3UTDaFpEpmrkmEGjqTyVLfi5q3e8Evb0/s4300/ROB_6165%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4300" data-original-width="3016" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIRU6jenM7y8y_iECrNN-sogW42dANMCQgcqTJcz_OaqY3pVFvkq6Q2YP-WG23_q7MCTAUnTUZB6IIOd10cpATyxn7ew6-xrr31avMXF4sX-RpSTaywIvh-tRXCcL-akPIMKtEXwg8sj1Eix5lgHSFcuz9IBT3UTDaFpEpmrkmEGjqTyVLfi5q3e8Evb0/w448-h640/ROB_6165%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="448" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Comma.</div><p></p>Bob Eade.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15087975886344058082noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633531568827488212.post-88187100373196339432023-09-13T15:55:00.001+01:002023-09-13T15:55:57.430+01:00The Long-tailed Blue Weekend.<p style="text-align: center;">With Lisa living in West Sussex, and myself in East Sussex, we get the chance to explore both sides of the county without having to drive long distances on our days out with wildlife.</p><p style="text-align: center;">With 2023 looking as though it will be the best ever year for the rare Long-tailed Blue this is giving us the chance to see them in many different sites, as well as seeing different stages of their life cycle. We have already seen many eggs this year and also several adults, although these have mostly been from the earlier wave of migrants so have been a little past their best. However, now there are a few really fresh butterflies coming through and our chances of a few special photos are increasing.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Last weekend for us started on Friday, and we ventured out hoping for some Long-tailed Blue activity, but we were thinking that most, or all would still be a little worn, however, we were very happy to see some extremely fresh males and half decent females. One of the the latter we actually saw lay an egg which for a few seconds appeared to be a creamy green colour, before it turned to the usual white.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfnrepyeI7fcMUz3RchfAxyPfwX_HBtPCUQtevHUQKOUzB64omTntj8C-MrrDKPmj264hbhHFy57becVA2LGFwanj3pUG5pHx3VFIR_gXXxNNuSrzxQxBKKWYA6HwW1OUg7FsclWRCF65sLjY_b550g0icdyuJ-ayMibw8vtGtPrZ-NUSaJ53_pNItOQI/s4000/ROB_5945%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2385" data-original-width="4000" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfnrepyeI7fcMUz3RchfAxyPfwX_HBtPCUQtevHUQKOUzB64omTntj8C-MrrDKPmj264hbhHFy57becVA2LGFwanj3pUG5pHx3VFIR_gXXxNNuSrzxQxBKKWYA6HwW1OUg7FsclWRCF65sLjY_b550g0icdyuJ-ayMibw8vtGtPrZ-NUSaJ53_pNItOQI/w640-h382/ROB_5945%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Female Long-tailed Blue.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Below is the egg we watched her lay.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LGL6dREgLZyrvM54Y1XZBldMSYKzjhw7kEYt4MRNAz6B1mqVxBEqKmHxzQnTxRxKhiopF7DJdM-QvqxpUABlf44wa8vdZvkwgbGne3Ba1u8mNVdmGIyVH5LOlTA1Tb8AzrnoTJLZkWqBfblxIPNVWXTYB7fbPQFCVok1iVCSuCyd7K19-5lMMNk2Vq4/s2687/ROB_5948%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2687" data-original-width="1692" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LGL6dREgLZyrvM54Y1XZBldMSYKzjhw7kEYt4MRNAz6B1mqVxBEqKmHxzQnTxRxKhiopF7DJdM-QvqxpUABlf44wa8vdZvkwgbGne3Ba1u8mNVdmGIyVH5LOlTA1Tb8AzrnoTJLZkWqBfblxIPNVWXTYB7fbPQFCVok1iVCSuCyd7K19-5lMMNk2Vq4/w404-h640/ROB_5948%20(2).jpg" width="404" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Long-tailed Blue egg.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ds7PJeMtOWn9O2VZ23RdrBr1mgigbwwbEpYG-pqqYNhktRCdsXc8bC2mXMIHlcm_5U7au9a5QilMH2pCQqyIOI6OwBtVp8RZZ25GR6YV0y4t2ER9BEUchtmDU6Udk3mGjttRFhPDze9ep4GQAZ_4aBCmmMpYiMyqWtASrbM-H8QICtlsDjnkcptKMdM/s4650/ROB_5951%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2747" data-original-width="4650" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ds7PJeMtOWn9O2VZ23RdrBr1mgigbwwbEpYG-pqqYNhktRCdsXc8bC2mXMIHlcm_5U7au9a5QilMH2pCQqyIOI6OwBtVp8RZZ25GR6YV0y4t2ER9BEUchtmDU6Udk3mGjttRFhPDze9ep4GQAZ_4aBCmmMpYiMyqWtASrbM-H8QICtlsDjnkcptKMdM/w640-h378/ROB_5951%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROemHVCULmJ2tIwx777esHIUNCaNRoY60THifULEWxpuHRPqlbAlKUO8B9IhtfqhDrLCBt2UmtkMmxWvph822UZvH9rvtdtG6dSn7fbHDt1VjfGekTtYpRUH8k3Q7b7DYQtlGmof4zjNI_jZvngxPnFeA-Md9Nb4FsEb2wTIWCuHwRy8F0Vg1c41rHFM/s4757/ROB_5956%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2951" data-original-width="4757" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROemHVCULmJ2tIwx777esHIUNCaNRoY60THifULEWxpuHRPqlbAlKUO8B9IhtfqhDrLCBt2UmtkMmxWvph822UZvH9rvtdtG6dSn7fbHDt1VjfGekTtYpRUH8k3Q7b7DYQtlGmof4zjNI_jZvngxPnFeA-Md9Nb4FsEb2wTIWCuHwRy8F0Vg1c41rHFM/w640-h398/ROB_5956%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fresh Male Long-tailed Blue sitting on Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea flower.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This session was extremely enjoyable spent with a friend too. After a few commitments on Saturday, we then ventured to a different site on the Sunday in the hope of seeing yet more of these beautiful butterflies. The weather wasn't quite so good, but still good enough for them to be flying if you can find some. This was at the site where we had found lots of eggs a couple of weeks earlier, but as most had hatched when we had found them there was an outside chance of some of the earlier ones producing butterflies. As we wandered around the Pea flowers I somehow spotted a Long-tailed Blue larva feeding on one of the pea pods. This was something that I never expected to see, let alone find. There have been very few sightings in the wild of one of these larvae. I quickly called Lisa over hoping it would not move away from where it was feeding. Fortunately, it stayed feeding in full view for some time, and although Lisa had decided not to bring her macro lens she still managed some fine photos with her telephoto.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtFneoSCerwn1jXE_5cr3vDwFRswhU-wr4qgD30dZF2ioQ1mxRm7JRMvbVROcWMbb03Qze_HnBwW2DQ9kc_dm_jIEm5aesjLIj8iIg0P6ysy54KmnGYopEmMdXphMpPefJAMDe8kjji9voQRhh2mcNdww5Mew25Blvun2uUtX8Pzybelav0TkE65u_HCM/s3000/ROB_5986%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1821" data-original-width="3000" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtFneoSCerwn1jXE_5cr3vDwFRswhU-wr4qgD30dZF2ioQ1mxRm7JRMvbVROcWMbb03Qze_HnBwW2DQ9kc_dm_jIEm5aesjLIj8iIg0P6ysy54KmnGYopEmMdXphMpPefJAMDe8kjji9voQRhh2mcNdww5Mew25Blvun2uUtX8Pzybelav0TkE65u_HCM/w640-h388/ROB_5986%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Long-tailed Blue larva on pea pod.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After a while the larva moved away from the pod and ventured down the stem looking for another part of the plant to feed on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XA4Nzs3xHnYrN2PxoSaoA_ZA6dIC0978egYIq-y-2fy6YT1XwhL3GfRIZ6jYdV9nI4pa2gN0IbeG7Wo8EEMASYUiIUnaZA3D86dp__GXuV2ATjKyoo5y_VxiI13zT-a5_MQVGL_pAhMMVlTaDJgTxOzclD468B1nmLEJB18oO2_KpkD_HdlQ23KN5rI/s3300/ROB_6011%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3300" data-original-width="2166" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XA4Nzs3xHnYrN2PxoSaoA_ZA6dIC0978egYIq-y-2fy6YT1XwhL3GfRIZ6jYdV9nI4pa2gN0IbeG7Wo8EEMASYUiIUnaZA3D86dp__GXuV2ATjKyoo5y_VxiI13zT-a5_MQVGL_pAhMMVlTaDJgTxOzclD468B1nmLEJB18oO2_KpkD_HdlQ23KN5rI/w420-h640/ROB_6011%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Long-tailed Blue larva moving down the stem.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Of course, now Lisa wanted to find her own larva, so off she went in a determined way only to find another 2 very quickly. It is always much more satisfying finding your own and not only did she find these two but she also found a very fresh Long-tailed Blue butterfly, which on checking the photos of the abdomen, we think was a female. Unfortunately, we didn't see the top wings properly, but Lisa did manage a few closed wing photos before it flew over a large bush and promptly vanished. We then checked out some more pea further away and she then found another larva that was making a very large meal of a pea pod!! This one was also browner which I think indicates that it was a more advanced larva. Knowing that the pea pods also turn brown with age, that would make sense for the larva to change to brown gradually to keep it's camouflage working.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's possible that we got lucky with the larvae as it was so hot, so they were venturing out of their hiding places to feed?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Up to now I can't recall seeing any photos of the larvae from the wild. As far as I can remember all the photos I've seen were from people rearing them at home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3THDSoWbyVK12yQmqZ1ROfWfcWZZOW-rWdhb43UzkipvI-HB-kMG2aVJ-xiNcfpsyeADR9oc4GS_ejumAFkhP1VuxuiR38y4xxiy4MRfwiXObfaggtYhBY4agL9UrGZgdGprAqPeyLExQUX41kXDwK9kRbf6WwniLEozKBnyK-ECqa92LvtRC_rVBPQ/s4600/ROB_6023%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2571" data-original-width="4600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3THDSoWbyVK12yQmqZ1ROfWfcWZZOW-rWdhb43UzkipvI-HB-kMG2aVJ-xiNcfpsyeADR9oc4GS_ejumAFkhP1VuxuiR38y4xxiy4MRfwiXObfaggtYhBY4agL9UrGZgdGprAqPeyLExQUX41kXDwK9kRbf6WwniLEozKBnyK-ECqa92LvtRC_rVBPQ/w640-h358/ROB_6023%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The last of the 4 Long-tailed Blue larva that we saw, this one having a very big meal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It certainly was a very enjoyable and exciting weekend, and with the large number of Long-tailed Blues expected to be flying in the next few weeks the 2023 butterfly season is certainly far from over. Hopefully we will both get some more fresh butterflies to photograph in the weeks to come.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Bob Eade.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15087975886344058082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633531568827488212.post-51753826722900104282023-09-04T21:26:00.000+01:002023-09-04T21:26:45.064+01:00Brown Hairstreak Anniversary.<p style="text-align: center;"> On the 25th August 2021 I was doing a recce for my first Sussex Butterfly tour for Naturetrek in which Pete and I headed over to West Sussex to check out a couple of sites that I was planning to take my clients to for firstly, Adonis Blue, and then on to another site for the Brown Hairstreak.</p><p style="text-align: center;">The first site was absolutely brilliant for both Adonis Blue and Autumn Lady's Tresses and the 2nd site for the Brown Hairstreak was a little more challenging, but in the end we did see a couple of them. </p><p style="text-align: center;">It was at this 2nd site though, that I bumped into an enthusiastic lady that was hoping for the same thing. It was unlike me to start up a conversation, but that is what I did. Almost straight away we felt comfortable chatting away, and then we had that magical moment when a Brown Hairstreak appeared. That is basically how Lisa and I met.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Strangely, we bumped into each other a little over a week later when I was in the middle of the tour when she was looking for a Wryneck and I was hoping for a Long-tailed Blue. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Over the next year we had the odd meet up looking for butterflies and other wildlife. Having only lost my lovely Penny some four months earlier I certainly wasn't thinking of starting a new relationship when we first met, but over a year later feelings between us did start to strengthen and eventually we became partners, strengthened by our love of the natural world.</p><p style="text-align: center;">On the 2nd anniversary of our first meeting, we went to the same site, once again to look for Brown Hairstreaks. This time, instead of seeing just a couple, we saw around 8. Not only that, but we had extended views of them and both managed to get some lovely photos of them.</p><p style="text-align: center;">It was totally by chance that we bumped into each other that day back in 2021, but it just shows that you never know what, or who, is around the corner!!</p><p style="text-align: center;">After our wonderful Brown Hairstreak day we then went out celebrating with a fabulous meal. Hopefully we will have many more brilliant wildlife days together.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrerS3GSOOlaqg14OB-zoiPeCVN1odww0velcedftyb8Wm6x545_1J0XF2yp_lwfsvC_irxF3m6u5bBh70Nf77icvSjiv3eY0x5esZWcPhuGNrsrgXtiNHdhoh03bEbcLaOi6dZ-jBSSCGSpLvtJNFKPlBliywDNgGso77gXqZDuSyWIvXRk3ityEvb8/s4100/ROB_5744%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4100" data-original-width="2966" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrerS3GSOOlaqg14OB-zoiPeCVN1odww0velcedftyb8Wm6x545_1J0XF2yp_lwfsvC_irxF3m6u5bBh70Nf77icvSjiv3eY0x5esZWcPhuGNrsrgXtiNHdhoh03bEbcLaOi6dZ-jBSSCGSpLvtJNFKPlBliywDNgGso77gXqZDuSyWIvXRk3ityEvb8/w462-h640/ROB_5744%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="462" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This Hairstreak we chased for some distance up the hill before she suddenly settled on this Agrimony. Unfortunately, she had lost her tails, but otherwise she was in brilliant condition.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All the other photos are of a different female that we spent around 30 minutes with as she walked around the young Blackthorn, looking to egg lay, before resting up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9zgecakYwbGBogpfK6kNeLRdgx1T57XyPo7qYdFXiJq3yzFIBnmb9LmGnpVEKz_pGPwS1DEigSvmToeRJacqq5xeyGIXQDeLTnmJr4yYNnYzf7lVhDyOE_YSBhSdu2LdYgnJfmk8a0la9B3tmAv-LSS6y5Vi0W6Yg9GvV9S7-f3pQDZq1NyV08QZfTU/s4800/ROB_5761%20-%20Copy%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2949" data-original-width="4800" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9zgecakYwbGBogpfK6kNeLRdgx1T57XyPo7qYdFXiJq3yzFIBnmb9LmGnpVEKz_pGPwS1DEigSvmToeRJacqq5xeyGIXQDeLTnmJr4yYNnYzf7lVhDyOE_YSBhSdu2LdYgnJfmk8a0la9B3tmAv-LSS6y5Vi0W6Yg9GvV9S7-f3pQDZq1NyV08QZfTU/w640-h394/ROB_5761%20-%20Copy%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEJZxWhogxwQOT9OQD-q7Td_4ON8ZXb6DeKYMD5YUWm-3EouEb_Zazzs4gKinBNd2ijXtArcwBKSfNOxLBq1HDdhA28w1OUoXViVCkiPiMCF6fYrVG1mlqPEFYgg-sR6cKeakaZ6FaLlWgBUKMKa5jAK4xI-h2CZdKDBa8RHTNIEExWjWOWzomi9uKwI/s4500/ROB_5777%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2564" data-original-width="4500" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEJZxWhogxwQOT9OQD-q7Td_4ON8ZXb6DeKYMD5YUWm-3EouEb_Zazzs4gKinBNd2ijXtArcwBKSfNOxLBq1HDdhA28w1OUoXViVCkiPiMCF6fYrVG1mlqPEFYgg-sR6cKeakaZ6FaLlWgBUKMKa5jAK4xI-h2CZdKDBa8RHTNIEExWjWOWzomi9uKwI/w640-h364/ROB_5777%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimCX9DZADSAefmXFKAur7NUgXc2iNwC9UnVdRR-vzYPEDPLtw1jqpx3XMRprRFysMxyXZc5CojkFLO6AM1gAkKQtw6EEsCcPAngfUff0L843uvCgQPdQwvDI0GA0HYzHC2idsmtQl56mrJegucQs9tOzRUVAbGSaWDYJEFome24Z2u8nkWXXFKn_s7QOI/s4500/ROB_5789%20-%20Copy%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2682" data-original-width="4500" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimCX9DZADSAefmXFKAur7NUgXc2iNwC9UnVdRR-vzYPEDPLtw1jqpx3XMRprRFysMxyXZc5CojkFLO6AM1gAkKQtw6EEsCcPAngfUff0L843uvCgQPdQwvDI0GA0HYzHC2idsmtQl56mrJegucQs9tOzRUVAbGSaWDYJEFome24Z2u8nkWXXFKn_s7QOI/w640-h382/ROB_5789%20-%20Copy%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Female Brown Hairstreak.</div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Bob Eade.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15087975886344058082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633531568827488212.post-13325364524053929022023-08-30T15:21:00.001+01:002023-08-30T15:21:34.542+01:00Long-tailed Blue.<p style="text-align: center;"> With my Naturetrek tours coming up, and all the clients hoping to see the Long-tailed Blues, it was a bit of a worry that very few had been seen in the weeks leading up to the tours. However, with less than a week to go reports from Lancing suddenly changed everything.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I then did a couple of recce's for each of the tours, as well as visiting with the actual tours. In total I visited the area 7 times and saw Long-tailed Blues on each occasion. By my last visit the butterflies seen were getting more tatty, but of course, Long-tailed Blues are always good to see in the UK where they are still considered to be a rare migrant butterfly.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Sightings are now slowing up as that generation has nearly finished, but with such a quick life cycle, it will only be a few short weeks before some lovely fresh individuals are seen, and with plenty of eggs found at several sites there should be plenty of butterflies about.</p><p style="text-align: center;">A few of my images from the visits follow, as well as some eggs found on the Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea. All the eggs found, apart from a couple had already hatched, so were probably already a week or more into their 5-6 week cycle.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqdhmb3IA4WQXAH_56ucpNR-lD6LdxLr1Z2PraY8qkpNvLWKTrAhdHItk1yS0zixyxyQzWjY68GQMq0_EL8kIytFiShJQPuN3hz_xr478dFQNSI_4wS1J-ITzSggM-fRPjmJ92jn1pQcMVrUN6Ljz7Maz2F0mZR1Q-zivIi1ZGOiOikrxJnFjQiinjgM/s5000/ROB_5633%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3080" data-original-width="5000" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqdhmb3IA4WQXAH_56ucpNR-lD6LdxLr1Z2PraY8qkpNvLWKTrAhdHItk1yS0zixyxyQzWjY68GQMq0_EL8kIytFiShJQPuN3hz_xr478dFQNSI_4wS1J-ITzSggM-fRPjmJ92jn1pQcMVrUN6Ljz7Maz2F0mZR1Q-zivIi1ZGOiOikrxJnFjQiinjgM/w640-h394/ROB_5633%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Male Long-tailed Blue.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7oZMmDhmCn14ivLWnn3CNNkUkXFbskISFJCQjm-dEXXXW4sSYJ7tvYKD3_bSh_2_IGQqxbPNtDK2bAxmeN5fcyXddDuSXeDXXKnxl7tR8ebe5BBA8X4OMIuLTIuktNr0ZMvrT5u3Fuzpjs7kkt6Y_4WgXuHRfJElJJ3uT-VCwe51DlCJNNb0FfHqFBbE/s4000/ROB_5646%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2402" data-original-width="4000" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7oZMmDhmCn14ivLWnn3CNNkUkXFbskISFJCQjm-dEXXXW4sSYJ7tvYKD3_bSh_2_IGQqxbPNtDK2bAxmeN5fcyXddDuSXeDXXKnxl7tR8ebe5BBA8X4OMIuLTIuktNr0ZMvrT5u3Fuzpjs7kkt6Y_4WgXuHRfJElJJ3uT-VCwe51DlCJNNb0FfHqFBbE/w640-h384/ROB_5646%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0eKWsIJad-pYR24A96iSEuGCS36y_WZ9PE2PI7H6IHv-5dRjGGlhC7f3ZXlSxH2m7zJFFQ2UE9r6L6bmqmjPlHx24Wka_2CXQ-P8TLrGBMbyMwbTyhy36TnYzXEs4KyTMTuYlgjGV4ujRFUQ_ODSO91ing8ZyiIQUlTQrPvWO0x-3mFll-SDF7S5z13c/s4000/ROB_5651%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2432" data-original-width="4000" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0eKWsIJad-pYR24A96iSEuGCS36y_WZ9PE2PI7H6IHv-5dRjGGlhC7f3ZXlSxH2m7zJFFQ2UE9r6L6bmqmjPlHx24Wka_2CXQ-P8TLrGBMbyMwbTyhy36TnYzXEs4KyTMTuYlgjGV4ujRFUQ_ODSO91ing8ZyiIQUlTQrPvWO0x-3mFll-SDF7S5z13c/w640-h390/ROB_5651%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Male Long-tailed Blue.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5R2kdFtmR-dhAgvs7f5jUiRuNItM5nmBBh7Nlj9YvxQRjGK2KWbNB6BzXopYaUgvA0Lgpt54NwaLSRZa5Lm264MIcQ8IuNocoVx2xi55y4MWUrKUNv5aWUoawcOOOnpEzZhhlff-8qoLotZ8vK7nCS5Oe54OpUptnjRJbv_KEe4eMX6kt0cyem9yE2w/s4800/ROB_5688%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3026" data-original-width="4800" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5R2kdFtmR-dhAgvs7f5jUiRuNItM5nmBBh7Nlj9YvxQRjGK2KWbNB6BzXopYaUgvA0Lgpt54NwaLSRZa5Lm264MIcQ8IuNocoVx2xi55y4MWUrKUNv5aWUoawcOOOnpEzZhhlff-8qoLotZ8vK7nCS5Oe54OpUptnjRJbv_KEe4eMX6kt0cyem9yE2w/w640-h404/ROB_5688%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Male Long-tailed Blue.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3x3pq01Or2Lh4y80575bYluZEljd1MhcjYqO8ayXl89E91pJziAANXBei4aqhHgYSjtGJLzQ3C1p6KLHNiAD15Ag2GMIIv9q5-HHMzft1f0eBfqsaOkbdZ13vORh6tCpHp5oymsF2NHDK0tAVYibNsxk710wKrvRl98LNQaOoglUGnKH4MR9Z8Wer6I/s4000/ROB_5906%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3x3pq01Or2Lh4y80575bYluZEljd1MhcjYqO8ayXl89E91pJziAANXBei4aqhHgYSjtGJLzQ3C1p6KLHNiAD15Ag2GMIIv9q5-HHMzft1f0eBfqsaOkbdZ13vORh6tCpHp5oymsF2NHDK0tAVYibNsxk710wKrvRl98LNQaOoglUGnKH4MR9Z8Wer6I/w416-h640/ROB_5906%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Long-tailed Blue egg. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-mXSi7bplHIN2mB0NLmvYDC11Y884dtmneCAtcrMYKqD6pUKeESOwH1tAOw55oFk9GLyJfRmgWaNUb_8F5SQcUTKZaXIyjxb_jj7MSpCbxJ9135c5TK_t1hawpIdzwmz_dlqv6C6mpTBgxtQNme5rkAqO-Am9rVnmA84IASTEQxzMoil9WCOEmgC4mPg/s4000/ROB_5910%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2324" data-original-width="4000" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-mXSi7bplHIN2mB0NLmvYDC11Y884dtmneCAtcrMYKqD6pUKeESOwH1tAOw55oFk9GLyJfRmgWaNUb_8F5SQcUTKZaXIyjxb_jj7MSpCbxJ9135c5TK_t1hawpIdzwmz_dlqv6C6mpTBgxtQNme5rkAqO-Am9rVnmA84IASTEQxzMoil9WCOEmgC4mPg/w640-h372/ROB_5910%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A brace of hatched Long-tailed Blue eggs. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9noY5HQgJm-J7C9D-W7OWDgXR1p9JfIsXQyFWngtxiS9NPLSocaCLdBeoqU77d_lxT2mmWLRD_jYEDz6d7XlhFy7EpfWrsfRyxAeeRg0tkmjWOiX42iDNFeCmx1mo9L49crPKZ4LcyhpdsslCOfbpI3rMmUjSR141m2RuUDPC1ReJ7kG2KAipSSGmU8/s3600/ROB_5912%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3600" data-original-width="2516" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9noY5HQgJm-J7C9D-W7OWDgXR1p9JfIsXQyFWngtxiS9NPLSocaCLdBeoqU77d_lxT2mmWLRD_jYEDz6d7XlhFy7EpfWrsfRyxAeeRg0tkmjWOiX42iDNFeCmx1mo9L49crPKZ4LcyhpdsslCOfbpI3rMmUjSR141m2RuUDPC1ReJ7kG2KAipSSGmU8/w448-h640/ROB_5912%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="448" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hatched Long-tailed Blue egg.</div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Bob Eade.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15087975886344058082noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633531568827488212.post-1689345398931101942023-08-24T10:03:00.002+01:002023-08-24T10:03:49.141+01:00Sussex Late Summer Butterflies.<p style="text-align: center;"> I have recently led a 3 day tour for Naturetrek looking for butterflies in the Sussex countryside. The timing was absolutely perfect with the recent arrival of several Long-tailed Blue into Sussex with one of my butterfly friends finding some on his local patch in West Sussex the previous week.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I always like to do a recce or two before these trips, and as I was staying over at Lisa's, which was near to the site, this made it much easier to check the site before the tour. As it happened I had also been booked by Naturetrek to do a private one on one tour the following week for a lady from Yorkshire to hopefully see the Long-tailed Blue, this meant more visits to make sure the butterflies were still there for her visit. In all I visited the site 6 times over the course of the next 12 days and saw the Long-tailed Blue each time with my highest count of 7 individuals on the last of them with the lady from Yorkshire.</p><p style="text-align: center;">On the first day of the main tour we arrived on site at around 10am and waited around the main hot spot waiting and hoping for a sighting of these rare migrant butterflies. After around 40 minutes Lindsay rang me to say he had found an egg laying Brown Hairstreak near to where we were, so I quickly called the group together and went off to see this beautiful butterfly. The Brown Hairstreak was another of our targeted butterflies, so it was great to get to see this extremely elusive species so early in the tour. As it happened this was one of the best encounters that I have ever had of this species, but when I am leading I rarely take photos as the group has to come first, so it was a little frustrating seeing a perfectly posed specimen sitting so beautifully. But for the group, what a great start.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVyjYh7HIpP6Ckfy8lVE994kTnyuRa5E358nC1CiVd9xTz6QW78pyVpfelLyE521WyTWxT7Qh5RfFIKaUHo9KwlLtPO5RXrBjK4w-joPTQaTqGpi4scR7MyhGtPACdoZbqryBHCqO12R9mNibFP2AF7vMWlP6LiE0LODgRZiFxzD1_hQsQYdjjAUtwMvU/s4764/ROB_5497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2729" data-original-width="4764" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVyjYh7HIpP6Ckfy8lVE994kTnyuRa5E358nC1CiVd9xTz6QW78pyVpfelLyE521WyTWxT7Qh5RfFIKaUHo9KwlLtPO5RXrBjK4w-joPTQaTqGpi4scR7MyhGtPACdoZbqryBHCqO12R9mNibFP2AF7vMWlP6LiE0LODgRZiFxzD1_hQsQYdjjAUtwMvU/w640-h366/ROB_5497.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My one and only shot of this beautiful Brown Hairstreak.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The day then got much, much better when a Long-tailed Blue was found only metres away from where the hairstreak had been. We then enjoyed watching this male blue for the next 25 minutes where it was joined by another. Everyone in the group managed to get photos of him as he flew around the area, settling on a variety of perches. This was a new species for everyone in the group for their UK sightings so all were very excited to see this special butterfly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRTDzjOOHe53_gNfkbh3Ze1-bJzC38c7l9fQe8hM7eBCnp6u9SCBqUy0F4LhBPLGioZWBuaKE3L1L9Y5v1_3C-A3IEeNaP_43MIMI3QCcQZ3zS9otkNkOPOpUCZi_1NhXATW9ngpe_u9ZJN5pub0CjJ5USg1ecyUjsZXrov3zwnMWVf5n10WlLb2zv8E/s4650/ROB_5502%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2759" data-original-width="4650" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRTDzjOOHe53_gNfkbh3Ze1-bJzC38c7l9fQe8hM7eBCnp6u9SCBqUy0F4LhBPLGioZWBuaKE3L1L9Y5v1_3C-A3IEeNaP_43MIMI3QCcQZ3zS9otkNkOPOpUCZi_1NhXATW9ngpe_u9ZJN5pub0CjJ5USg1ecyUjsZXrov3zwnMWVf5n10WlLb2zv8E/w640-h380/ROB_5502%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Male Long-tailed Blue.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With two of our main targets hit already, we then headed north to look for the rare Wood White. Once again I had done a recce a week earlier, so I was confident that we would find several of this special species that was now in the middle of its 2nd brood.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We arrived at the site around lunchtime, so we took advantage of the shaded area around the car park to eat lunch. One of the group saw a white butterfly flying nearby and went to investigate and there was our first Wood White!! The first day of the tour just couldn't get any better than this. A walk then followed through the wood where we saw a total of around 30 Wood White, with some of the famous courtship of this species observed, as well as some egg laying. It was also lovely to be able to show the group an actual egg that I saw being laid.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We then had an unexpected bonus of another Brown Hairstreak that Colin spotted as it flew in front of him and landed on a small Blackthorn sapling. This female then walked up and down the sapling egg laying. After a few minutes she flew up into the trees, but still low enough for a photo. This was the first time I had seen a Brown Hairstreak in the wood, so the find was very unexpected.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwvw0qj1I3LEbH1rFsuwE-g8q1O4n3hgMEALSUtgv_Fxtv_i5uZ4CGuiLh1iGr8kWMVQBajDLPyMlqK1iMVuumJTBUvjsgYfuzba4pq4Kj8waMwIuQDvtEkVyxSToXYWn06KLSaunJ8ZonBI6ge990HA42XxKoDlFp7Giy6pSfd4Wk0vVvDK1M5jaiy8/s5580/ROB_5504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3316" data-original-width="5580" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwvw0qj1I3LEbH1rFsuwE-g8q1O4n3hgMEALSUtgv_Fxtv_i5uZ4CGuiLh1iGr8kWMVQBajDLPyMlqK1iMVuumJTBUvjsgYfuzba4pq4Kj8waMwIuQDvtEkVyxSToXYWn06KLSaunJ8ZonBI6ge990HA42XxKoDlFp7Giy6pSfd4Wk0vVvDK1M5jaiy8/w640-h380/ROB_5504.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Male Wood White.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNK_giOg3HHUJfOE0ulXYj3RRcemaveGazH0d4MF63VjOoEch7GZ-Kmq8Cx5KRBs_OCB3B5ksC3xHWTa8FvRSh5V2HM1JsL_RlydC5woVlaKvtJGmlOp2Jck_sst_ocWjNIBZQZDMCaBNyDMBpz3nIgi3ZlXaqtGZDsQTjnWzkpY5QzOX9zu_Pe7TZtV8/s4062/ROB_5505%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2531" data-original-width="4062" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNK_giOg3HHUJfOE0ulXYj3RRcemaveGazH0d4MF63VjOoEch7GZ-Kmq8Cx5KRBs_OCB3B5ksC3xHWTa8FvRSh5V2HM1JsL_RlydC5woVlaKvtJGmlOp2Jck_sst_ocWjNIBZQZDMCaBNyDMBpz3nIgi3ZlXaqtGZDsQTjnWzkpY5QzOX9zu_Pe7TZtV8/w640-h398/ROB_5505%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Female Brown Hairstreak.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On Day two we also headed west to look for Adonis and Chalkhill Blue. I knew we would see at least the Chalkhill on day three when the Silver-spotted Skipper would also be on the menu. But as it happened, we actually saw Silver-spotted Skipper in the area where the Adonis were. Apparently these Skippers are rarely seen in this valley, and two visits by myself since have both blanked on this species here. The area is also excellent for Autumn Lady's-tresses with 1000s of them growing. To top the visit off we also had a perfect Clouded Yellow that sat for the whole group to admire just before we left the site.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJDcemyvPPjaeKqH-cjRQJ-AIDCmTKiCS0DoWiLgQ6NcdXvn4wKOJLZBWBKZBOPbmgD-OCLbNsLA_ZSFJ96zKLHhEvw_saJ8ImZNciX5DD3t6ZqgOlwBjBmKcqDtWJYh7S3OSLdidOR1k4yLDV4K1alettZ9jHEWZ2r-K5S3two26Etf3mcXqpDFi_KE/s4000/ROB_5511%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2342" data-original-width="4000" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJDcemyvPPjaeKqH-cjRQJ-AIDCmTKiCS0DoWiLgQ6NcdXvn4wKOJLZBWBKZBOPbmgD-OCLbNsLA_ZSFJ96zKLHhEvw_saJ8ImZNciX5DD3t6ZqgOlwBjBmKcqDtWJYh7S3OSLdidOR1k4yLDV4K1alettZ9jHEWZ2r-K5S3two26Etf3mcXqpDFi_KE/w640-h374/ROB_5511%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Male Adonis Blue on Carline Thistle.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsVASeASp9j3UqQCeG-iI2A5mGenZdugB3vU17Xt5C5moTM-7D5yX6F6YQmSCUqJTnXalKf5LtCC1LrZhSMLdKzo88G_SrSO4_ASCFCBXSsrWbb4cUmUidx84gBeeFvuIMw73nwbIld4AaTXW1wEBIwF3MFrSeGXHNPjbob29DsoFNWzzUAA31069RMA/s4500/ROB_5506%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4500" data-original-width="2811" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsVASeASp9j3UqQCeG-iI2A5mGenZdugB3vU17Xt5C5moTM-7D5yX6F6YQmSCUqJTnXalKf5LtCC1LrZhSMLdKzo88G_SrSO4_ASCFCBXSsrWbb4cUmUidx84gBeeFvuIMw73nwbIld4AaTXW1wEBIwF3MFrSeGXHNPjbob29DsoFNWzzUAA31069RMA/w400-h640/ROB_5506%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Autumn Lady's-tresses.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUBgrN4iYiLCnTVxaLRYTp9Cnb9TSqH72F9pHvDxk5gkeGl5IRSJqrRAURZRhQSLbzYwLiEVCoiHAfwXfF7OPPDPuh1H-AEgdgZv8wn7jdlAWAwwkVT6kO_y_wMvVCcZdSu_IIYrSh8usH6YLx21qpit_upMa_8KtufittFvtbgkdaNIgonXR7nrJWsY/s4000/ROB_5512%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2435" data-original-width="4000" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUBgrN4iYiLCnTVxaLRYTp9Cnb9TSqH72F9pHvDxk5gkeGl5IRSJqrRAURZRhQSLbzYwLiEVCoiHAfwXfF7OPPDPuh1H-AEgdgZv8wn7jdlAWAwwkVT6kO_y_wMvVCcZdSu_IIYrSh8usH6YLx21qpit_upMa_8KtufittFvtbgkdaNIgonXR7nrJWsY/w640-h390/ROB_5512%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Clouded Yellow nestled down in the grass.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We then moved onto a meadow on top of the South Downs where we saw a large variety of species, including the first of many Chalkhill Blue. Here we saw both male and female and lots of courtship of this gorgeous species. There were lots of Brimstone here too and Brown Argus as well as an abundance of wild flowers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our final destination was to a popular Brown Hairstreak site. Here we failed to see any more Brown Hairstreak, but after yesterday's exceptional sightings of the species we were not too disappointed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The final day started with a moth trap opening in my garden. There were plenty of moths to look at which included both Garden and Jersey Tiger, but the star species was the beautiful little micro moth Oncocera semirubella, affectionally known as Rhubarb and Custard due to the colours of this little gem.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qRVLd8D_R5XXaXCILHPcuiqWlZO3dPsdXMpB03Hu3BcwJp8OdTCpfo5axXMrdTAndORCN_BcDmc1DjejsWF-yYayuHXn1mQjO9LScv3EXFFG5eT_HCOS2PeCPgr4Mnsy31kIsXS0HZF_6VC5P5maY39BspOrXUQLwQYhSw49-uadHhCZPwHGeKE0mbA/s3900/ROB_5558%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2209" data-original-width="3900" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qRVLd8D_R5XXaXCILHPcuiqWlZO3dPsdXMpB03Hu3BcwJp8OdTCpfo5axXMrdTAndORCN_BcDmc1DjejsWF-yYayuHXn1mQjO9LScv3EXFFG5eT_HCOS2PeCPgr4Mnsy31kIsXS0HZF_6VC5P5maY39BspOrXUQLwQYhSw49-uadHhCZPwHGeKE0mbA/w640-h362/ROB_5558%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oncocera semirubella.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A local river walk failed to show up any Willow Emerald unfortunately, probably due to the windier conditions, even though, we did see several other dragonfly and damselfly species. A mating pair of White-legged Damselfly was very nice to see as well as a couple of Brown Hawkers hunting over the water.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88_172hUNVIhBh7a0w5Dmke8GLqakqMpbOxU1ZOKuD4eEvADlmdRlhazuFZrRtwI5Cwgmic4yN5lJREEc_citIBWCZv58U8YzQbz5APNovKEtEDcgI_stWcZ_b_WCo4Qwb-H47nc2r2CzvUDaAxJjljv9jtIgQm7SwdeLuZ9GRympNMKHP9PjjaEa0c0/s5000/ROB_5517%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2897" data-original-width="5000" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88_172hUNVIhBh7a0w5Dmke8GLqakqMpbOxU1ZOKuD4eEvADlmdRlhazuFZrRtwI5Cwgmic4yN5lJREEc_citIBWCZv58U8YzQbz5APNovKEtEDcgI_stWcZ_b_WCo4Qwb-H47nc2r2CzvUDaAxJjljv9jtIgQm7SwdeLuZ9GRympNMKHP9PjjaEa0c0/w640-h370/ROB_5517%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mating White-legged Damselfly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our final site was on my own local patch where we enjoyed many Wall Brown, Chalkhill Blue, Silver-spotted Skippers and some aged female Dark Green Fritillaries that were egg laying. The Silver-spotted Skippers were also seen egg laying, and once again I managed to find a newly laid egg to show the group. We also saw lots of the spectacular Hornet Robberfly. This species seems to be having a very good season again this year. We also had a bonus of a very fresh male Adonis Blue, a species that is becoming increasingly scarce in the immediate area.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCeHfA6tdijNOCGR8nE89YNnB1PX4syMjrjS1743t8S0w3CdFYPbLsbssGl7CBb8ljnA1ENKMoUq0KqWdSsTcLuiydzDTEgXNxxNtRAtfm5NQbAYpLq9RHG6aSV5cWIdqonN_SB6jKXmIvUeZObf-qDMLPWGBODVLQuxcX7toNts6YHErIvg9dxJNqMIA/s2598/ROB_5524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1596" data-original-width="2598" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCeHfA6tdijNOCGR8nE89YNnB1PX4syMjrjS1743t8S0w3CdFYPbLsbssGl7CBb8ljnA1ENKMoUq0KqWdSsTcLuiydzDTEgXNxxNtRAtfm5NQbAYpLq9RHG6aSV5cWIdqonN_SB6jKXmIvUeZObf-qDMLPWGBODVLQuxcX7toNts6YHErIvg9dxJNqMIA/w640-h394/ROB_5524.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Silver-spotted Skipper egg.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG1-mNzj2Iir3Puh1ddXGV59cMV4i6aAjazeDjaJG5k46d0Erdzq8qhtIMD8_Rw-YwdRkaMPzVNJnWHM4aVky-UgPY1Rdu1pUcAyUrqkghRM7P1CPF2TPHxB8thFf0dpIVjtSGTEIGbNsJunl-1kbBMA7o5NbnYf6T4128gHCjc4wOlaPPm2e3K5nq6Jw/s4500/ROB_5531%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2674" data-original-width="4500" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG1-mNzj2Iir3Puh1ddXGV59cMV4i6aAjazeDjaJG5k46d0Erdzq8qhtIMD8_Rw-YwdRkaMPzVNJnWHM4aVky-UgPY1Rdu1pUcAyUrqkghRM7P1CPF2TPHxB8thFf0dpIVjtSGTEIGbNsJunl-1kbBMA7o5NbnYf6T4128gHCjc4wOlaPPm2e3K5nq6Jw/w640-h380/ROB_5531%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The awesome Hornet Robberfly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was then time for the tour to come to an end. An extremely successful tour with all the main targets seen as well as many other insect species. Everyone left very happy with what we had seen and all had several new species to add to their personal lists.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My thanks to all members of the group which helped to make it such a success, and also thanks to Lindsay for his help with hunting down Brown Hairstreak and Long-tailed Blues.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Bob Eade.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15087975886344058082noreply@blogger.com0