Steve's Birding,Wildlife & Walking Blog: Local Patching.....8th,12th & 18th May 2019.

Tuesday, 21 May 2019

Local Patching.....8th,12th & 18th May 2019.

Another compilation here on the past three visits to the local patch at East Halton/Goxhill,continuing in the search for rares and recording breeding species.In this period,i managed to record a further 3 species,1 of which i cannot report here due to it being a schedule 1 species and its sensitivity to disturbance.

8th May

After an early morning visit to Gibralter Point near Skegness for the Iberian Chiffchaff it was apparent that there was an influx of Black Terns taking place due to the south easterly wind and heavy rain.So i decided to shoot over to Winter's Pond just on the off chance one might be there.
On arrival Chris Toop was already there and thankfully watching one on the pit with 2 Common Tern,but it was hard to see them through the rain in my face.
I grabbed the gear and got the water proofs on and walked around the side of the pit and managed to get some half decent views along with some record shots of the Black Tern.I was really chuffed that this inspired visit had paid off and it was nice to see a summer plumaged Black Tern on the patch and another species recorded at Winter's and also another two species for the year list.

12th May

An organised meet up with John today and all the area up to Goxhill Haven and back covered in some lovely weather.
Only a few highlights were encountered today,but it was really nice to get out again,the best of which was a new species for the year,but unfortunately i cannot mention it here,due to its protective status.Other species noted included a female Wheatear in the rough field near to Winter's,a singing male Grasshopper Warbler and Greenshank at the Skitter and a Bar-tailed Godwit on the mitigation site.
Apart from the bird sightings,some nice numbers of butterflies were also recorded and included Small Copper,Holly Blue,Small White,Orange Tip,Green-veined White,Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell.

18th May

An afternoon visit today,for 4 hours,after finishing my nightshift saw a pretty productive visit to be fair with some good numbers of waders on the mitigation site.This included a whopping flock of 10 Greenshank which gave some great views and it was the first time i can recall hearing them singing.Also on the mitigation site and an equally good record,was 2 male and 1 female Little-ringed Plovers which gave some nice views,but distantly.
Other bits and bobs seen today included another Greenshank at the Skitter,a Common Sandpiper on Winter's and a male Cuckoo,also at Winter's.
Non bird sighting's included my first local patch Diamond-back Moth's,with at least 45 counted.It looks like a huge immigration of these moths is taking place currently with thousands being reported at some sites around the country.

More excellent and enjoyable local patching and 3 more species added to the year list putting it at 132,only 8 more species to beat last years total of 140.