Friday 9 March 2012

9th March 2012

An uneventful day even by what is expected with the wind in the west and only just over a week into March. A Merlin sheltered in the south cove until disturbed and then failed to return for the remainder of the day. Four Pied Wagtails were the only passerine migrants apart from a Starling on Middle first thing, and the sea was equally disappointing with just a single Red-throated Diver, 15 Great Crested Grebes and about 50 Common Scoter in addition to the bird which kept close to the island throughout (above). The only firsts for the year were a Small Tortoiseshell butterfly (the first butterfly of any sort this year) and a Seven-spot ladybird, also the first of its kind. A Peregrine gave a fine display of wader chasing this afternoon and then rested on the shore. Better things are expected shortly when the wind turns to the south.
(DB,CJ,KMc+SD,CS,NDW)                photo   CJ

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