Sunday 30 September 2007

SOME WELCOME WARMTH


Another high tide on Sunday 30th but the weather was gentler today with little wind. There was a reasonable amount of blue sky especially in the morning and one or two insects enjoyed the sunshine. The big attraction at the moment for many of the park insects are the various clumps of ivy in flower. One big clump around a dead elm tree was buzzing with life as bees, wasps, flies and hoverflies visited all the flowers. Two red admirals and two speckled wood butterflies also joined in the feast.

On the seawall a peacock rested by the seawall, while lots of dragonflies such as common darter, migrant hawker and southern hawker, could be seen all round the park.

The most interesting bird noted during the day was a snow bunting that was flying so high and fast that I didn't even see the bird. It called out the "tew" and rippling call-note several times as it came in off the sea, heading north-westwards as it carried on its long journey.

Few migrants were noted although blackcap and two chiffchaffs were heard as was a goldcrest - the winter migrant arriving as the summer ones prepare to leave. In the grazing fields the pair of stonechats were still present for the third day running. Also here in the afternoon were 50 curlew roosting during the high tide.

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