Bee-eaters, Black Stork and other big birds August 2015
It had been a steady plod through July, but August started off with news that Bee-eaters had bred in Cumbria this year and the RSPB had set up a watchpoint. Having not seen Bee-eaters in Britain since the breeding pair in Co. Durham in 2002, it was an easy trip to make up north. We had to wait nearly two hours for one to show, and it wasn't really that cold, just a little bit dull.
The first Saturday for visiting and there was quite a crowd
Both nesting sites were opposite, but only one was partly viewable
Just the one Bee-eater was on show while we were there
On the way back home we popped into Arnside Knot for a short butterfly session. We did fairly well, seeing Northern Brown Argus, Scotch Argus and a few Dark Green Fritillaries, but I managed to miss a HIGH BROWN FRIT that Grizzly Adams photographed whilst I was further up the slope.
Most of the DGF were quite faded
A Northern Brown Argus
Can see for miles from the top
Following a few days break on the south coast, I continued my holiday with a trip to Spurn on August 5th. Not only was this day my birthday, but it also coincided with a Black Stork being present there. At first, only the top of its head was visible, and that only came up when a Short-eared Owl flew near to it. Eventually it took flight, and then landed again out of view in the ditch.
Stunning views at first of the Black Stork - this was one of its better showings
This Short-eared Owl showed well while we waited
On the way home, we popped in to see the Sabine's Gull at Pennington Flash. It was showing rather well at the time we visited.
Sabine's Gull at Pennington Flash, Gtr Manchester
On Friday 7th August, my last day of my holiday, I dropped the family off at the Trafford Centre and headed off for another visit to Arnside Knott. Despite there being no wind and more sun than my visit a few days previously, the difference in butterfly numbers was quite amazing. There were loads of Scotch Argus out, but hardly any D G Frit were left. I met two butterflyers at the top with camera and casually asked what they had seen. It was only a High Brown Fritillary showing rather well on some flowers.
The all important underwing shot
Saturday 8th August started off at Westport as usual. It was quite a lousy visit and at the end we stood by the visitor centre waiting for the SABINE'S GULL from Pennington Flash to drop in (it had flown off but did return later). I then spotted a tern sp being chased by a BHG. I quickly searched my internal library, checked the dark mantle and put out the news that there was a juv BLACK TERN at Westport. I woke CJW up, and PLo soon arrived. After all, it's not a bird we have everyday down at Westport. It was PLo who questionned the dark mantle, and after checking his very useful Collins app, also commented on the startling white rump. One thing that drives you on to make almost daily patch visits in the hope of finding something decent. It doesn't happen very often but on this occasion I totally foooked up. All because I got the two mantle colours the wrong way round. I thought WWBT had a pale mantle. Oh well, a site first as well. Congrats to PLo and CJW for questionning what they saw. And when the 2015 report comes out, it's their initials that will appear first.
Two photos by Dave K. Very useful for him to be on site, looking at his pics to sort the ID
The rest of the day was spent at Pennington Flash again, and then onto Preston where we dipped the long staying RING-BILLED GULL. We did see this gull though, chilling or just down on his knees?
On Sunday 9th August, following our visit to Westport, I followed CJW up to Chatterley Whitfield to see the Red-footed Falcon again (like we did on most days). It was at the top at first, then flew down to the bottom bit where it showed extremely well. And there was just the two of us there to enjoy it. As I drove off I glanced back at it and it was still sat there. We didn't realised this would be the last time we saw it. It flew off at mid day, eventually relocating in Lincolnshire. Such a relief, but at least we all managed to succesfully get this bird to leave Stoke under it's own steam.
And finally, a visit to Blithfield on Monday 10th August saw a Blithe Bay tick with another Common Crane for Blithfield.
