We set out last Monday (yes I know it was a Bank Holiday! but we braved the traffic and in fact there were no problems) for the RSPB reserve at Bempton Cliffs near Bridlington in Yorkshire.
It was a sunny day but slightly cooler than it had been previously (Still good for April though) and a bit breezy. Headed for the cliff top after a coffee from Katy Wheelwrights excellent ECO Catering (Ethical Catering Outdoors)van which was situated in the reserve car park.
Link to the RSPB site here http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/b/bemptoncliffs/index.aspx and probably the best shot of the day here http://www.gfcphotography.co.uk/photo9687598.html
It was quite a challenging day for photography as the wind was quite breezy and the light quite harsh which meant that any Gannet photos were in danger of having blown highlights!
There were thousands of Gannets - some interesting behaviour also with some taking nesting material from some of the grass and several courting pairs. Not too many Puffins at present (although we did see a few) but also lots of Razorbills, Guillemots, Fulmars and Kittiwakes.
A thoroughly enjoyable day!
Monday, 29 August 2011
Tuesday, 31 May 2011
Somerset May 2011
Somerset May 2011
Saturday – car packed and off we went to Somerset leaving an hour early so we could take our time. Destination was a holiday cottage near Shepton Mallet (Elevenscroft) and arrival planned for around 12:30 ish. The weather was not too promising with showers and wind but traffic light – or it was until we got onto the M5 near Bristol. It took us two hours to get near Bristol (130 miles) and a further two hours to travel the 37 miles to our destination. Not sure why we chose to travel on a bank holiday weekend – or even why we were going on holiday. Probably only having to take 4 days holiday was part of it!
So we ended up arriving on time when we should have been early! Friendly welcome from the owner and then we were left to unpack the car and settle in. Cup of coffee and then off to the local Tesco to stock up for the week. Rain and then more rain as we walked down the main street in Shepton Mallet and had a sandwich in a little coffee shop.
This was supposed to be a butterfly holiday and we were planning to visit a local site but the weather meant that we had to shelve that idea and settled back into our cottage. Outside the kitchen window the owners had thoughtfully place 4 bird feeders in a tree so the window was opened and camera set up on a tripod – fantastic kitchen hide! Bird species seen (from the kitchen window) were blackbird (pair), blue tit, great tit, greater spotted woodpecker, nuthatch, chaffinch, jay, magpie, robin.
Evening spent watching a fantastic team (Barcelona) win the champions League!
Sunday - despite the forecast not being too good was sunny (or bright at least!) but not warm enough for butterflies yet so we made a decision to visit RSPB Westhay and had a wonderful walk along the volunteer constructed boardwalk surrounded by the sound of warblers of all sorts – will have to learn the songs for identification as we heard but could not see many. They pop out for the briefest of seconds before disappearing back into the reeds. Not much to see from the hide (we would have liked to see the storks)
From Westhay we travelled a few miles towards Shapwick Heath where we found the Avalon Marsh Visitors Centre where we had a hot drink and a wander around. We ended up making a bird box as they had an activity day there! Then we had a wander along through Shapwick Heath Nature Reserve and had our lunch in a hide watching swans and grebes. We spotted a Hobby on our way back to the car and also passed the Sweet Track carefully preserved under the peat (there is a replica of part of it in the Peat Centre). Then the sun came out and magically so did the dragonflies and butterflies (common blue and meadow brown) along with the most fantastic chorus of marsh frogs.
After a visit to Glastonbury Tor (and yes we did walk to the top – 512 feet in total) with fantastic views over three counties we returned home for another lovely tea watching the woodpecker and nuthatch on the garden feeders.
Monday – forecast said heavy rain all day but when we opened the curtains we were greeted by fog! Then it did rain after breakfast – clearly no butterflies today either! There was a pair of greenfinches on the feeders along with a wren and sparrow. Not good for bird watching so we decided to head to Weston Super Mare for some seaside therapy! Rain eased a little so we walked along the front and to the new Grand Pier – really good on a wet bank holiday! Nice (covered) walk and then games and rides at the end. Spent a couple of fun hours in there! Walked back to the tourist information office and picked up a leaflet for a cider shop and museum so off we went there. Bought some gifts to take home and sat in a pub car park for lunch. Decided to visit Wells in the afternoon as it was still raining – good decision as Wells is a lovely city (the smallest in England) and only one smaller in the UK (St David’s in Wales). Spent a long time in the wonderful cathedral (you can take photos but have to buy a permit for £3 – well worth buying) and when we came out of the cathedral the sun was out and it turned into a lovely warm afternoon. However tea beckoned so we went back to the cottage to make our plans for the following day – weather is forecast to get better each day through the week so high hopes of butterflies tomorrow.
Tuesday arrived with sunshine! We set off for Priddy Mineries with the UK Butterflies locations in our Tom Tom and duly arrived at the location – this appeared to be a random spot along the main road! No parking so we asked a garage if it was ok to leave the car in the layby opposite his garage. Finding a footpath which looked like it went in the right direction we marched up to where we thought the Mineries were, and we must have found them as we met two ladies who confirmed this. They too were looking for butterflies so we exchanged species! Lots of small pearl bordered fritillaries, common blues, small coppers, small heaths and in areas with lots of flowers we saw good numbers of butterflies including the aforementioned species along with orange tip, red admiral, painted lady, large skipper, speckled wood, green veined white, large white (first of the year for us) and green hairstreak. The ladies told us of a Forestry Commission car park so we walked back down a wider track to the main road and car and relocated to the Forestry Commission car park for lunch. Walking along the forest tracks afterwards we found a lot more small pearl bordered fritillaries, common blues, small heaths, green hairstreaks, small coppers and large skippers. We also chatted to a man who had been photographing dragonflies near a large pond. A lovely day in sunshine and warmth.
Wednesday was a day which started with sunshine so we went towards Ubley Warren and found it just as the sun went behind the clouds! So with no sun and no butterflies and a cold wind blowing we drove to Westhay Moor RSPB site to find sunshine! A we were there anyway we visited all the hides (having lunch in one of them) and saw a few mallards and a swan family. We did hear a bittern booming but all the birds seemed to have vanished! As it was sunny we decided to go back to Ubley Warren just to find the sun disappeared as we started our walk. I then tweaked a calf muscle so that was the end of Wednesday! Back to the cottage and plenty of TLC for my muscle and early to sleep! Thursday is supposed to be sunny and warm and we plan to try and find some Wood Whites.
Thursday - we managed to find some directions to Staple Common where Wood Whites had been seen this year. We found the location from the Butterfly Walks of Somerset book and indeed the Forestry Commission sign said Staple Common. However no wood whites – we met a farmer looking for his cattle who confusingly told us that is was not Staple Common at all and we needed to be in a car park at Staple Hill! Needless to say we saw none there either so we ended up at Buckland Wood – a lovely place with loads of butterflies. Many common blues but also brimstone, speckled wood, red admiral, dingy skipper, brown argus, large skipper, meadow brown, green hairstreak – the marsh fritillary must have already finished as were grizzled skippers but it is a lovely place to visit. Ended the day in Taunton and as it was later than usual had a nice meal at the local Wetherspoon!
Friday is the last day and as there was a great forecast we set off to Collard Hill for Large Blues. Maybe better luck than today with the Wood Whites! Yes – spent a wonderful few hours in full sun with Sussex Kipper, Bill from Wales and then met Matthew Oates! Large blues a success and got some cracking shots but no open wing shots as the sun was too strong!
After baking on the hillside we went to Street for a coffee at Wetherspoons and then ended up at Clarks shopping village before going back to Priddy Minories where the small pearl bordered fritillaries would not shut their wings (wanted an underwing shot) but saw several (even at 7 it was still 25 degrees!). Also small copper, small heath, common blue, brown argus, large skipper and dark green fritillary.
Saturday – car packed and off we went to Somerset leaving an hour early so we could take our time. Destination was a holiday cottage near Shepton Mallet (Elevenscroft) and arrival planned for around 12:30 ish. The weather was not too promising with showers and wind but traffic light – or it was until we got onto the M5 near Bristol. It took us two hours to get near Bristol (130 miles) and a further two hours to travel the 37 miles to our destination. Not sure why we chose to travel on a bank holiday weekend – or even why we were going on holiday. Probably only having to take 4 days holiday was part of it!
So we ended up arriving on time when we should have been early! Friendly welcome from the owner and then we were left to unpack the car and settle in. Cup of coffee and then off to the local Tesco to stock up for the week. Rain and then more rain as we walked down the main street in Shepton Mallet and had a sandwich in a little coffee shop.
This was supposed to be a butterfly holiday and we were planning to visit a local site but the weather meant that we had to shelve that idea and settled back into our cottage. Outside the kitchen window the owners had thoughtfully place 4 bird feeders in a tree so the window was opened and camera set up on a tripod – fantastic kitchen hide! Bird species seen (from the kitchen window) were blackbird (pair), blue tit, great tit, greater spotted woodpecker, nuthatch, chaffinch, jay, magpie, robin.
Evening spent watching a fantastic team (Barcelona) win the champions League!
Sunday - despite the forecast not being too good was sunny (or bright at least!) but not warm enough for butterflies yet so we made a decision to visit RSPB Westhay and had a wonderful walk along the volunteer constructed boardwalk surrounded by the sound of warblers of all sorts – will have to learn the songs for identification as we heard but could not see many. They pop out for the briefest of seconds before disappearing back into the reeds. Not much to see from the hide (we would have liked to see the storks)
From Westhay we travelled a few miles towards Shapwick Heath where we found the Avalon Marsh Visitors Centre where we had a hot drink and a wander around. We ended up making a bird box as they had an activity day there! Then we had a wander along through Shapwick Heath Nature Reserve and had our lunch in a hide watching swans and grebes. We spotted a Hobby on our way back to the car and also passed the Sweet Track carefully preserved under the peat (there is a replica of part of it in the Peat Centre). Then the sun came out and magically so did the dragonflies and butterflies (common blue and meadow brown) along with the most fantastic chorus of marsh frogs.
After a visit to Glastonbury Tor (and yes we did walk to the top – 512 feet in total) with fantastic views over three counties we returned home for another lovely tea watching the woodpecker and nuthatch on the garden feeders.
Monday – forecast said heavy rain all day but when we opened the curtains we were greeted by fog! Then it did rain after breakfast – clearly no butterflies today either! There was a pair of greenfinches on the feeders along with a wren and sparrow. Not good for bird watching so we decided to head to Weston Super Mare for some seaside therapy! Rain eased a little so we walked along the front and to the new Grand Pier – really good on a wet bank holiday! Nice (covered) walk and then games and rides at the end. Spent a couple of fun hours in there! Walked back to the tourist information office and picked up a leaflet for a cider shop and museum so off we went there. Bought some gifts to take home and sat in a pub car park for lunch. Decided to visit Wells in the afternoon as it was still raining – good decision as Wells is a lovely city (the smallest in England) and only one smaller in the UK (St David’s in Wales). Spent a long time in the wonderful cathedral (you can take photos but have to buy a permit for £3 – well worth buying) and when we came out of the cathedral the sun was out and it turned into a lovely warm afternoon. However tea beckoned so we went back to the cottage to make our plans for the following day – weather is forecast to get better each day through the week so high hopes of butterflies tomorrow.
Tuesday arrived with sunshine! We set off for Priddy Mineries with the UK Butterflies locations in our Tom Tom and duly arrived at the location – this appeared to be a random spot along the main road! No parking so we asked a garage if it was ok to leave the car in the layby opposite his garage. Finding a footpath which looked like it went in the right direction we marched up to where we thought the Mineries were, and we must have found them as we met two ladies who confirmed this. They too were looking for butterflies so we exchanged species! Lots of small pearl bordered fritillaries, common blues, small coppers, small heaths and in areas with lots of flowers we saw good numbers of butterflies including the aforementioned species along with orange tip, red admiral, painted lady, large skipper, speckled wood, green veined white, large white (first of the year for us) and green hairstreak. The ladies told us of a Forestry Commission car park so we walked back down a wider track to the main road and car and relocated to the Forestry Commission car park for lunch. Walking along the forest tracks afterwards we found a lot more small pearl bordered fritillaries, common blues, small heaths, green hairstreaks, small coppers and large skippers. We also chatted to a man who had been photographing dragonflies near a large pond. A lovely day in sunshine and warmth.
Wednesday was a day which started with sunshine so we went towards Ubley Warren and found it just as the sun went behind the clouds! So with no sun and no butterflies and a cold wind blowing we drove to Westhay Moor RSPB site to find sunshine! A we were there anyway we visited all the hides (having lunch in one of them) and saw a few mallards and a swan family. We did hear a bittern booming but all the birds seemed to have vanished! As it was sunny we decided to go back to Ubley Warren just to find the sun disappeared as we started our walk. I then tweaked a calf muscle so that was the end of Wednesday! Back to the cottage and plenty of TLC for my muscle and early to sleep! Thursday is supposed to be sunny and warm and we plan to try and find some Wood Whites.
Thursday - we managed to find some directions to Staple Common where Wood Whites had been seen this year. We found the location from the Butterfly Walks of Somerset book and indeed the Forestry Commission sign said Staple Common. However no wood whites – we met a farmer looking for his cattle who confusingly told us that is was not Staple Common at all and we needed to be in a car park at Staple Hill! Needless to say we saw none there either so we ended up at Buckland Wood – a lovely place with loads of butterflies. Many common blues but also brimstone, speckled wood, red admiral, dingy skipper, brown argus, large skipper, meadow brown, green hairstreak – the marsh fritillary must have already finished as were grizzled skippers but it is a lovely place to visit. Ended the day in Taunton and as it was later than usual had a nice meal at the local Wetherspoon!
Friday is the last day and as there was a great forecast we set off to Collard Hill for Large Blues. Maybe better luck than today with the Wood Whites! Yes – spent a wonderful few hours in full sun with Sussex Kipper, Bill from Wales and then met Matthew Oates! Large blues a success and got some cracking shots but no open wing shots as the sun was too strong!
After baking on the hillside we went to Street for a coffee at Wetherspoons and then ended up at Clarks shopping village before going back to Priddy Minories where the small pearl bordered fritillaries would not shut their wings (wanted an underwing shot) but saw several (even at 7 it was still 25 degrees!). Also small copper, small heath, common blue, brown argus, large skipper and dark green fritillary.
Monday, 30 May 2011
Mull in May 2011
Mull in May 2011
Thursday night all packed up and ready to go – great excitement as on Friday morning we are off to the North for our holiday on Mull. Bags and cameras are near the front door ready for a quick getaway – the plan is for us all to meet at Leighton Moss RSPB reserve near Carnforth at around 10, spend a few hours there and then travel to Glasgow for our overnight stay on Friday. This means that on Saturday morning we only have another 90 miles to travel to Oban for the 2 o’clock ferry.
So Friday arrives and the weather is dry and bright – even sunny at times! Packed the car in 15 minutes and got away by 7 am – on course for 10am rendezvous. Uneventful journey and arrived full of anticipation for what we might see as Leighton Moss is known for marsh harriers. So we visited the hides in order - our friends Kath & Ken saw a blackbird with a partially white face – known well to the staff! Walking along the paths between hides we saw a shrew, a “woolly bear” (not seen often anymore), some unidentified warblers, a coal tit, some garganey and when we had trekked the distance to the last hide we saw the highlight of the day – two pairs of marsh harriers. One came within a hundred feet from us in the hide which enabled some better than usual pictures.
On the way back to the car we called in at the black headed gull hide (public hide) where there were hundreds of gulls making more gulls! Also saw some great crested and little grebes. Very close pictures – and the yellow flags at the water’s edge were beautiful. Near the visitor centre were loads of tadpoles – first we had seen this year.
So that was Leighton Moss done – oh we also spoke to a man who had seen an otter that morning which was one of our main targets on Mull. Little did we know what was to happen the next day!
So on to Glasgow and a hotel which was newly built on roads that Tom Tom didn’t know existed. A few minutes of confusion reigned and then to the pub for tea. Wetherspoons is a great place for good quality reasonably priced food and drink!
After a good night’s sleep we ended up at Wetherspoons again for breakfast and then a drive to Oban – the best part of the drive so far in beautiful scenery and sunshine. An arrival at 11:30 gave us time for shopping, a walk around the town, some gorgeous prawn and crab sandwiches and then joined the queue for the Isle of Mull ferry called “The Isle of Mull”! It was late but that may have been Lady Luck looking after us as on the drive to our holiday home we came around a bend at the lock side (Loch Na Keal) and saw a crowd of people (or what passes for a crowd on Mull – half a dozen or so). Car came to an abrupt halt and we quickly ascertained that they were looking at an otter within camera distance eating a fish!
All thought of our destination went out of the window as we spent a very enjoyable hour or so taking photos. Inevitably the otter finally disappeared after bringing a crab back to its island and treating us to great views of an otters dinner!
So that meant we travelled on – seeing a heron, a waterfall, loads of highland cows including one in the middle of the road and sheep everywhere. Eventually arriving quite a bit later than planned to a host of rabbits of all sizes but we were all very happy. Car unloaded, dinner on the table and we all relaxed into the evening with a glass or two of wine.
Sunday dawned wet, overcast and a little chilly but undeterred we set off for Tobermory along one of Mulls B roads. Not like a mainland B road at all! Windy, hilly pot holey, narrow but fortunately lots of passing places – seemed to take ages to do 20 odd miles!! However we arrived and parked (free) – found a chocolate shop selling very nice coffee and with complimentary internet access. Then the rain stopped for a while so we fetched cameras and took pictures of the famous coloured houses of Tobermory and its harbour. Unfortunately it probably makes a better photo with the tide in!
We then left Tobermory behind and stopped for a picnic overlooking the Sound of Mull – in the rain of course! Then onwards to Salen but just before arrival we saw some large birds which turned out to be buzzards but we were convinced they were eagles. We stopped along the coast near Salen to look at some seals and then spotted some eider duck swimming just offshore. Lovely calm water and the birds came quite close giving us some good views.
Travelling back along the shores of Loch Na Keal we stopped near the otter and sure enough he was there again – however it started to pour with rain and the otter vanished so we went home and had tea!
Tomorrow (Monday) we are off for a day out with Bryan Rains (Wild About Mull) so hoping that the rain stops for long enough to enjoy some dry photography opportunities. We are hoping to see eagles (golden and white tailed) and more otters, along with anything else that moves! Oh - and the sun!
Monday. Wet. Not sunny. Cold. TomTom told us which way to go to get to Wild About Mull so we followed – what a road! Narrow, full of pot holes and water. An early start – up at 5:15 and out at 6 o’clock for our 30 minute journey. Two hours later we arrived to find Bryan waiting for us so we loaded all the gear into the back of his van and headed off to see our first target of the day – otters. After searching for a short while one was located swimming along the shore line so we followed it on foot and then in the van till it came closer – we got some great views and best shots of otter so far. A great start, cameras and people soaked but happy to see an otter. Also on the same shoreline was a great northern diver along with whimbrel and curlew.
Then onwards to a white tailed eagles nest which we saw through a scope – it was looking directly at us through the mist. The mist and cloud and rain was a feature of the day but it did not dampen the spirits at all! Next we drove back to Pennyghael for a warm in the store, a hot drink and a wee stop. Along the way we saw little plover, oystercatcher and others. Then to the adders – however despite Bryans best efforts we were unsuccessful so we had lunch instead. After lunch we moved on towards Fionnphort and a search for mountain hare – by now we were all suffering from cold and wet but undeterred we marched across the machair looking for them. Success eventually as we saw one dart over a small hillock and disappear. Wonderful!
Stopped on the way back at a small beach to see what was around – surprising what you can see even on a wet day if you stop long enough. All in all a very enjoyable day in great company – thank you Bryan and Wild About Mull.
Tuesday arrived dry, bright and yes I think we saw some sunshine! Even a few patches of blue sky among the grey. We had a plan to head back down the shores of Loch Na Keal towards Salen and then to Craignure to see what we could find on the loch and the sea shore. However we got as far as the otter stopping place to find a crowd all staring at the forest near the hill top. When asked what they were looking at we were told it was a white tailed eagle sat in a tree top. A kind gentleman offered us a look through his scope at the bird sat in the tree – waiting for the boat to come along which fed them with fish. So we waited a while and sure enough the boat arrived and the eagle set off for it hotly pursued along its way by a buzzard – we always thought that buzzards were big until we saw one at the same time as the eagle!
We could see the eagle within metres of the boat and it came back with a fish in its talons to its nest – the nest was behind the trees so we guess it must have left the fish with its partner and chicks at the nest and then returned for another one. In total three so we got some fantastic views of it. Great start to the day – and it was still not raining!
We then set off towards Salen and then to Craignure but stopped at Fishnish as we thought it was a little seaside village – wrong! It was just a ferry terminal and a small building selling hot drinks and snacks. The Forestry Commission had very kindly placed some picnic tables so we made use of one of them for yet another wonderful picnic. After lunch we explored the beach area but as there was not much about we drove to Salen where we had seen the eider ducks a few days previously. They were not there but we had noticed a couple of wrecked boats which we thought would make good photographic material so this filled the afternoon up until it was time to go home. The weather started to change for the worse – back to the usual Mull grey and rain but we did make a visit to Ulva Ferry to check it out ahead of our white tailed eagle boat trip which we had booked for Friday. Along the road back we did spot a golden eagle soaring over the fields at the side of the road. Another holiday highlight. So back home for another wonderful meal – the weather turned very nasty then with nothing to be seen at all through the windows.
Wednesday. Guess what – rain again! But this time with a very strong wind. Plan was to visit Loch Frisa and then Glengorm so we set off up the coast along a narrow and windy (aren’t they all) road towards Calgary and Dervaig. This time however unlike Sunday the rain stopped and it was sunny (but still windy) so we could see into the distance as well as the moors around us. No mountain hares or eagles here though so stopped at Calgary Bay and got out of the car for a walk along the beach and some rock pooling while the rain held off. Saw some lovely sea anemones including a green one which I had never seen before. Then we got soaked! We found a coffee shop and dried out and warmed up a little afterwards.
Onward then towards Loch Frisa – however the road looked bad from the beginning (most of the roads on Mull look great for a hundred yards and then get bad) so we decided to miss this one and instead turn towards Glengorm – gets a good write up in the Mull information so we thought it would be a good place to visit. The road was even worse than the one to Loch Frisa – this time there was even a sign saying temporary road surface for miles – no mention of how many! It now holds the record for most pot holes on the island! And Glengorm was definitely overstated in the information! Got soaked again – this time with hail! However the coffee shop was warm and the coffee was nice (and even good prices). I think if the weather had been dry it would be a very nice place to spend more time there – standing stones, an old fort and also a natural bathing pool would have made great pictures. There is also a colony of marsh fritillaries there and lots of walking to be done, along with the castle itself (although not really a castle but a hotel) and its gardens.
We then decided to make our way home but stopped in Tobermory for some provisions and as the sun was shining decided to have a little walk around the harbour. So of course it rained again – however this time we fooled it as had not even got out of the car! The road from there passes down a hill near Loch Frisa so we half expected to see eagles but instead there was a buzzard. We attempted some shots but they were too far away and it was too windy and dark. Towards Salen the tide was in and the shoreline would have been a great place to explore but the next wave of showers were on the way so we came back along the road to Ulva ferry and home. Through a torrential downpour, some brilliant sunshine and then more rain. Tide was in so no otter today – time another day for otter spotting. Some things we will have to leave until we return in October – Calgary sunset being one of them. Let’s see what tomorrow brings!
Well we didn’t wait until tomorrow! After another lovely tea we decided to see if we could get to the shore as it looked so inviting. We eventually managed to get through a gate and down to an area of machair which we found a path through to the edge of the small cliff which overhung the shore line. A couple of oystercatchers, a heron and a curlew later we turned around and came back to the house. Oh – and a sunset which was our first of the week. We all said that we must return in the morning, weather permitting. On the way back to the house we saw another golden eagle flying over the hills behind the house – however it was getting darker and it was too far away so no photos. Still – time yet for that!
Thursday already! Decided to head back along Loch Na Keal to see the eagle flying over to the boat but stopped at our waterfall to take some pictures. Fantastic waterfall and with all the rain we had been having the stream was very full and plenty of water going over the fall. We went as close to the cliff edge as we dared to get a photo and then some more walking upstream. Someone was camping in a sheltered flat area at the side if the upper waterfall – what a spot for a tent! Very noisy with the rushing water but very idyllic also. Then on to Loch Na Keal for the eagle feeding – good views in its favourite perch and then the boat arrived for four feeding trips. However the wind was very strong and was blowing the camera and lenses around so no good pictures today! But just to see it was awesome – we were also able to see it catch the fish that was thrown from the boat. Then we travelled a little further and stopped near a campsite to have a wander around on the shore but nothing very interesting. Back home again and had a wander up the hill to find the ruined village before heading back for tea. Sadly we then discovered that our trip on the boat that feeds the sea eagle was cancelled as very strong winds were forecast. We all felt very disappointed and a little flat.
After some thought we came up with plan B for Friday – we would go on a boat trip but just over the water to Ulva on a foot ferry. Good walking was to be had on the island and the weather looked promising – seemed odd that the boat wasn’t able to go out but when we arrived the ferryman said that around the corner it was very rough and windy – we could see the white horses.
We walked over to the west side of the island to see some fantastic views over towards Staffa, Dutchmans Cap and Lunga along with the rest of the Treshnish Isles – abandoned villages, soaring hills and cliffs, hawks and loads of delicate flowers – butterwort in particular was plentiful. The views themselves are well worth the walk and Ulva is a very special place, like lots of the other Scottish islands – if you ever come to Mull you must make time to visit Ulva. For once the rain held off and we were treated to blue skies and sunshine but with a very strong wind, we even managed a picnic outside of a car! Even butterflies! We then got on the ferry for the short (2 minute) trip back to the mainland and drove the few miles back to the Old Steading where we packed and made ready to depart. I then decided to walk over to Ballygown beach just so that I had seen it – walked over the little headland full of bogs and wild flowers to find otter spraint all over the place – no otter though but he obviously visits on a regular basis. There were oystercatchers, gulls of all sorts, a common sandpiper, curlew and a black rabbit!
I had to shelter in a cave while a rain storm blew over but then walked back to the house to see a sea eagle swoop over the house. It flew off fairly quickly but we did see it several times during tea in the distance – nothing like last night or this morning though.
Then after tea while putting the left over bread out for our local sparrows we spotted some deer just over the road so managed to take a few quick shots until a car arrived to send them packing.
So that’s it! All over bar the ferry and the journey home – bit sad but had a really lovely week on the most wonderful of islands. Can’t wait to return to magical Mull in October, only wish it could be sooner!
Thursday night all packed up and ready to go – great excitement as on Friday morning we are off to the North for our holiday on Mull. Bags and cameras are near the front door ready for a quick getaway – the plan is for us all to meet at Leighton Moss RSPB reserve near Carnforth at around 10, spend a few hours there and then travel to Glasgow for our overnight stay on Friday. This means that on Saturday morning we only have another 90 miles to travel to Oban for the 2 o’clock ferry.
So Friday arrives and the weather is dry and bright – even sunny at times! Packed the car in 15 minutes and got away by 7 am – on course for 10am rendezvous. Uneventful journey and arrived full of anticipation for what we might see as Leighton Moss is known for marsh harriers. So we visited the hides in order - our friends Kath & Ken saw a blackbird with a partially white face – known well to the staff! Walking along the paths between hides we saw a shrew, a “woolly bear” (not seen often anymore), some unidentified warblers, a coal tit, some garganey and when we had trekked the distance to the last hide we saw the highlight of the day – two pairs of marsh harriers. One came within a hundred feet from us in the hide which enabled some better than usual pictures.
On the way back to the car we called in at the black headed gull hide (public hide) where there were hundreds of gulls making more gulls! Also saw some great crested and little grebes. Very close pictures – and the yellow flags at the water’s edge were beautiful. Near the visitor centre were loads of tadpoles – first we had seen this year.
So that was Leighton Moss done – oh we also spoke to a man who had seen an otter that morning which was one of our main targets on Mull. Little did we know what was to happen the next day!
So on to Glasgow and a hotel which was newly built on roads that Tom Tom didn’t know existed. A few minutes of confusion reigned and then to the pub for tea. Wetherspoons is a great place for good quality reasonably priced food and drink!
After a good night’s sleep we ended up at Wetherspoons again for breakfast and then a drive to Oban – the best part of the drive so far in beautiful scenery and sunshine. An arrival at 11:30 gave us time for shopping, a walk around the town, some gorgeous prawn and crab sandwiches and then joined the queue for the Isle of Mull ferry called “The Isle of Mull”! It was late but that may have been Lady Luck looking after us as on the drive to our holiday home we came around a bend at the lock side (Loch Na Keal) and saw a crowd of people (or what passes for a crowd on Mull – half a dozen or so). Car came to an abrupt halt and we quickly ascertained that they were looking at an otter within camera distance eating a fish!
All thought of our destination went out of the window as we spent a very enjoyable hour or so taking photos. Inevitably the otter finally disappeared after bringing a crab back to its island and treating us to great views of an otters dinner!
So that meant we travelled on – seeing a heron, a waterfall, loads of highland cows including one in the middle of the road and sheep everywhere. Eventually arriving quite a bit later than planned to a host of rabbits of all sizes but we were all very happy. Car unloaded, dinner on the table and we all relaxed into the evening with a glass or two of wine.
Sunday dawned wet, overcast and a little chilly but undeterred we set off for Tobermory along one of Mulls B roads. Not like a mainland B road at all! Windy, hilly pot holey, narrow but fortunately lots of passing places – seemed to take ages to do 20 odd miles!! However we arrived and parked (free) – found a chocolate shop selling very nice coffee and with complimentary internet access. Then the rain stopped for a while so we fetched cameras and took pictures of the famous coloured houses of Tobermory and its harbour. Unfortunately it probably makes a better photo with the tide in!
We then left Tobermory behind and stopped for a picnic overlooking the Sound of Mull – in the rain of course! Then onwards to Salen but just before arrival we saw some large birds which turned out to be buzzards but we were convinced they were eagles. We stopped along the coast near Salen to look at some seals and then spotted some eider duck swimming just offshore. Lovely calm water and the birds came quite close giving us some good views.
Travelling back along the shores of Loch Na Keal we stopped near the otter and sure enough he was there again – however it started to pour with rain and the otter vanished so we went home and had tea!
Tomorrow (Monday) we are off for a day out with Bryan Rains (Wild About Mull) so hoping that the rain stops for long enough to enjoy some dry photography opportunities. We are hoping to see eagles (golden and white tailed) and more otters, along with anything else that moves! Oh - and the sun!
Monday. Wet. Not sunny. Cold. TomTom told us which way to go to get to Wild About Mull so we followed – what a road! Narrow, full of pot holes and water. An early start – up at 5:15 and out at 6 o’clock for our 30 minute journey. Two hours later we arrived to find Bryan waiting for us so we loaded all the gear into the back of his van and headed off to see our first target of the day – otters. After searching for a short while one was located swimming along the shore line so we followed it on foot and then in the van till it came closer – we got some great views and best shots of otter so far. A great start, cameras and people soaked but happy to see an otter. Also on the same shoreline was a great northern diver along with whimbrel and curlew.
Then onwards to a white tailed eagles nest which we saw through a scope – it was looking directly at us through the mist. The mist and cloud and rain was a feature of the day but it did not dampen the spirits at all! Next we drove back to Pennyghael for a warm in the store, a hot drink and a wee stop. Along the way we saw little plover, oystercatcher and others. Then to the adders – however despite Bryans best efforts we were unsuccessful so we had lunch instead. After lunch we moved on towards Fionnphort and a search for mountain hare – by now we were all suffering from cold and wet but undeterred we marched across the machair looking for them. Success eventually as we saw one dart over a small hillock and disappear. Wonderful!
Stopped on the way back at a small beach to see what was around – surprising what you can see even on a wet day if you stop long enough. All in all a very enjoyable day in great company – thank you Bryan and Wild About Mull.
Tuesday arrived dry, bright and yes I think we saw some sunshine! Even a few patches of blue sky among the grey. We had a plan to head back down the shores of Loch Na Keal towards Salen and then to Craignure to see what we could find on the loch and the sea shore. However we got as far as the otter stopping place to find a crowd all staring at the forest near the hill top. When asked what they were looking at we were told it was a white tailed eagle sat in a tree top. A kind gentleman offered us a look through his scope at the bird sat in the tree – waiting for the boat to come along which fed them with fish. So we waited a while and sure enough the boat arrived and the eagle set off for it hotly pursued along its way by a buzzard – we always thought that buzzards were big until we saw one at the same time as the eagle!
We could see the eagle within metres of the boat and it came back with a fish in its talons to its nest – the nest was behind the trees so we guess it must have left the fish with its partner and chicks at the nest and then returned for another one. In total three so we got some fantastic views of it. Great start to the day – and it was still not raining!
We then set off towards Salen and then to Craignure but stopped at Fishnish as we thought it was a little seaside village – wrong! It was just a ferry terminal and a small building selling hot drinks and snacks. The Forestry Commission had very kindly placed some picnic tables so we made use of one of them for yet another wonderful picnic. After lunch we explored the beach area but as there was not much about we drove to Salen where we had seen the eider ducks a few days previously. They were not there but we had noticed a couple of wrecked boats which we thought would make good photographic material so this filled the afternoon up until it was time to go home. The weather started to change for the worse – back to the usual Mull grey and rain but we did make a visit to Ulva Ferry to check it out ahead of our white tailed eagle boat trip which we had booked for Friday. Along the road back we did spot a golden eagle soaring over the fields at the side of the road. Another holiday highlight. So back home for another wonderful meal – the weather turned very nasty then with nothing to be seen at all through the windows.
Wednesday. Guess what – rain again! But this time with a very strong wind. Plan was to visit Loch Frisa and then Glengorm so we set off up the coast along a narrow and windy (aren’t they all) road towards Calgary and Dervaig. This time however unlike Sunday the rain stopped and it was sunny (but still windy) so we could see into the distance as well as the moors around us. No mountain hares or eagles here though so stopped at Calgary Bay and got out of the car for a walk along the beach and some rock pooling while the rain held off. Saw some lovely sea anemones including a green one which I had never seen before. Then we got soaked! We found a coffee shop and dried out and warmed up a little afterwards.
Onward then towards Loch Frisa – however the road looked bad from the beginning (most of the roads on Mull look great for a hundred yards and then get bad) so we decided to miss this one and instead turn towards Glengorm – gets a good write up in the Mull information so we thought it would be a good place to visit. The road was even worse than the one to Loch Frisa – this time there was even a sign saying temporary road surface for miles – no mention of how many! It now holds the record for most pot holes on the island! And Glengorm was definitely overstated in the information! Got soaked again – this time with hail! However the coffee shop was warm and the coffee was nice (and even good prices). I think if the weather had been dry it would be a very nice place to spend more time there – standing stones, an old fort and also a natural bathing pool would have made great pictures. There is also a colony of marsh fritillaries there and lots of walking to be done, along with the castle itself (although not really a castle but a hotel) and its gardens.
We then decided to make our way home but stopped in Tobermory for some provisions and as the sun was shining decided to have a little walk around the harbour. So of course it rained again – however this time we fooled it as had not even got out of the car! The road from there passes down a hill near Loch Frisa so we half expected to see eagles but instead there was a buzzard. We attempted some shots but they were too far away and it was too windy and dark. Towards Salen the tide was in and the shoreline would have been a great place to explore but the next wave of showers were on the way so we came back along the road to Ulva ferry and home. Through a torrential downpour, some brilliant sunshine and then more rain. Tide was in so no otter today – time another day for otter spotting. Some things we will have to leave until we return in October – Calgary sunset being one of them. Let’s see what tomorrow brings!
Well we didn’t wait until tomorrow! After another lovely tea we decided to see if we could get to the shore as it looked so inviting. We eventually managed to get through a gate and down to an area of machair which we found a path through to the edge of the small cliff which overhung the shore line. A couple of oystercatchers, a heron and a curlew later we turned around and came back to the house. Oh – and a sunset which was our first of the week. We all said that we must return in the morning, weather permitting. On the way back to the house we saw another golden eagle flying over the hills behind the house – however it was getting darker and it was too far away so no photos. Still – time yet for that!
Thursday already! Decided to head back along Loch Na Keal to see the eagle flying over to the boat but stopped at our waterfall to take some pictures. Fantastic waterfall and with all the rain we had been having the stream was very full and plenty of water going over the fall. We went as close to the cliff edge as we dared to get a photo and then some more walking upstream. Someone was camping in a sheltered flat area at the side if the upper waterfall – what a spot for a tent! Very noisy with the rushing water but very idyllic also. Then on to Loch Na Keal for the eagle feeding – good views in its favourite perch and then the boat arrived for four feeding trips. However the wind was very strong and was blowing the camera and lenses around so no good pictures today! But just to see it was awesome – we were also able to see it catch the fish that was thrown from the boat. Then we travelled a little further and stopped near a campsite to have a wander around on the shore but nothing very interesting. Back home again and had a wander up the hill to find the ruined village before heading back for tea. Sadly we then discovered that our trip on the boat that feeds the sea eagle was cancelled as very strong winds were forecast. We all felt very disappointed and a little flat.
After some thought we came up with plan B for Friday – we would go on a boat trip but just over the water to Ulva on a foot ferry. Good walking was to be had on the island and the weather looked promising – seemed odd that the boat wasn’t able to go out but when we arrived the ferryman said that around the corner it was very rough and windy – we could see the white horses.
We walked over to the west side of the island to see some fantastic views over towards Staffa, Dutchmans Cap and Lunga along with the rest of the Treshnish Isles – abandoned villages, soaring hills and cliffs, hawks and loads of delicate flowers – butterwort in particular was plentiful. The views themselves are well worth the walk and Ulva is a very special place, like lots of the other Scottish islands – if you ever come to Mull you must make time to visit Ulva. For once the rain held off and we were treated to blue skies and sunshine but with a very strong wind, we even managed a picnic outside of a car! Even butterflies! We then got on the ferry for the short (2 minute) trip back to the mainland and drove the few miles back to the Old Steading where we packed and made ready to depart. I then decided to walk over to Ballygown beach just so that I had seen it – walked over the little headland full of bogs and wild flowers to find otter spraint all over the place – no otter though but he obviously visits on a regular basis. There were oystercatchers, gulls of all sorts, a common sandpiper, curlew and a black rabbit!
I had to shelter in a cave while a rain storm blew over but then walked back to the house to see a sea eagle swoop over the house. It flew off fairly quickly but we did see it several times during tea in the distance – nothing like last night or this morning though.
Then after tea while putting the left over bread out for our local sparrows we spotted some deer just over the road so managed to take a few quick shots until a car arrived to send them packing.
So that’s it! All over bar the ferry and the journey home – bit sad but had a really lovely week on the most wonderful of islands. Can’t wait to return to magical Mull in October, only wish it could be sooner!
Tuesday, 5 April 2011
Water Voles of the Cromford Canal
We spent a fantastic day out on Sunday along the Cromford Canal where we know that Water Voles (Arvicola amphibius) live - we saw many last year in the Autumn.
So when the day dawned with bright sunshine and a good forecast we set off for Ambergate train station car park. A quick walk along the busy A6 found us at the start of the Canal where we walked towards Cromford looking out for the voles along the way.
This area is one of the last remaining strongholds in Derbyshire for the water vole. Water voles are animals which have diminished very rapidly in the county, as they have elsewhere in Britain. This is largely down to two things - the destruction of its habitat and predation by mink. Derbyshire Wildlife Trust has put many observation traps along this canal so that they can watch for the presence of mink - this is helping towards conserving and protecting the voles.
Water voles are widespread around Europe and live in the banks of slow moving rivers, streams and canals. They make waterside burrows which have many floor levels that help to prevent flooding, as well as nesting chambers and a food store for winter. Water voles are a meal for many predators but the UK population suffered a catastrophic level of predation by the American mink.
Water voles are quite often mistaken for rats and in fact Ratty from The Wind in the Willows was actually a water vole.
It wasn't long before we saw our first vole was happily munching on a reed on the opposite bank of the canal. We watched it for several minutes and then it swam across the canal to our side where it sat for a second before disappearing under the water and back across to the other bank!
We saw probably 8 or 9 during the day with the best sighting at the canal bridge at Whatstandwell train station where unusually we found a vole eating greenery but not reeds. Not sure of the plant but you can see the remains of a leaf in one of the photographs!
All in all a very good day
So when the day dawned with bright sunshine and a good forecast we set off for Ambergate train station car park. A quick walk along the busy A6 found us at the start of the Canal where we walked towards Cromford looking out for the voles along the way.
This area is one of the last remaining strongholds in Derbyshire for the water vole. Water voles are animals which have diminished very rapidly in the county, as they have elsewhere in Britain. This is largely down to two things - the destruction of its habitat and predation by mink. Derbyshire Wildlife Trust has put many observation traps along this canal so that they can watch for the presence of mink - this is helping towards conserving and protecting the voles.
Water voles are widespread around Europe and live in the banks of slow moving rivers, streams and canals. They make waterside burrows which have many floor levels that help to prevent flooding, as well as nesting chambers and a food store for winter. Water voles are a meal for many predators but the UK population suffered a catastrophic level of predation by the American mink.
Water voles are quite often mistaken for rats and in fact Ratty from The Wind in the Willows was actually a water vole.
It wasn't long before we saw our first vole was happily munching on a reed on the opposite bank of the canal. We watched it for several minutes and then it swam across the canal to our side where it sat for a second before disappearing under the water and back across to the other bank!
We saw probably 8 or 9 during the day with the best sighting at the canal bridge at Whatstandwell train station where unusually we found a vole eating greenery but not reeds. Not sure of the plant but you can see the remains of a leaf in one of the photographs!
All in all a very good day
Sunday, 16 January 2011
Hadrians Wall Jan 2011
Recent weekend spent around Hadrian's Wall - we stayed near Hexham in a lovely B&B, very welcoming and very relaxing. We had planned a trip to Keilder also but 4 inches of snow put paid to that! However I will have some photos of the scenery and Hadrian's Wall to put on the site later today.
It was only when I reviewed the photos I realised I should have used filters. So some are on their way to me now. Just goes to show that you should always get the photo correct in the camera rather than trying to post process in Photoshop! Results are never quite the same.
Having said that I am hoping to get photos on the site tonight.
The cottage we stayed in was called Peth Head and as I said above it was very welcoming. We could not really have asked for a more relaxing stay - we were greeted with a pot of tea and home made biscuits on arrival and every day when we got back in the late afternoon before going out for dinner. Link to the site is here http://www.peth-head-cottage.co.uk/ and you can also find reviews on Trip Advisor.
Hadrian's Wall is wonderful - we visited part of the wall that is still standing at Steel Rig - pay and display car park and then a short walk to the wall itself. Very picturesque and very impressive especially when you think it was build around 1900 years ago! It only took around 6 years to complete the 80 roman miles (about 73.5 miles).
As it was so cold (although sunny) we had to find a pub to get warm - we went herehttp://www.twicebrewedinn.co.uk/home.html - great welcome and good beer (coffee really to get warm!!). Food also very good and to be recommended.
Northumberland is a lovely county and not visited often enough I feel - it is a place that people travel through rather than to. We will probably be going back at some stage to explore a little further.
It was only when I reviewed the photos I realised I should have used filters. So some are on their way to me now. Just goes to show that you should always get the photo correct in the camera rather than trying to post process in Photoshop! Results are never quite the same.
Having said that I am hoping to get photos on the site tonight.
The cottage we stayed in was called Peth Head and as I said above it was very welcoming. We could not really have asked for a more relaxing stay - we were greeted with a pot of tea and home made biscuits on arrival and every day when we got back in the late afternoon before going out for dinner. Link to the site is here http://www.peth-head-cottage.co.uk/ and you can also find reviews on Trip Advisor.
Hadrian's Wall is wonderful - we visited part of the wall that is still standing at Steel Rig - pay and display car park and then a short walk to the wall itself. Very picturesque and very impressive especially when you think it was build around 1900 years ago! It only took around 6 years to complete the 80 roman miles (about 73.5 miles).
As it was so cold (although sunny) we had to find a pub to get warm - we went herehttp://www.twicebrewedinn.co.uk/home.html - great welcome and good beer (coffee really to get warm!!). Food also very good and to be recommended.
Northumberland is a lovely county and not visited often enough I feel - it is a place that people travel through rather than to. We will probably be going back at some stage to explore a little further.
Thursday, 16 December 2010
Stratford Butterfly Farm December 2010
A visit to Stratford Butterfly Farm a few days ago - great shots of butterflies along with some caterpillars and pupae. This is a fantastic place to go (especially in the winter as there are not too many other people there!) - biggest and best of the butterfly houses I have been to in the UK.
Photos now on the web site - check out the page entitled Butterfly Farm (or follow this link)http://www.gfcphotography.co.uk/other-butterflies
The Butterfly Farm itself was a fascinating place to visit - the butterflies themselves are well worth the entrance fee (this and lots of other details can be found at http://www.butterflyfarm.co.uk/attraction/index.php) The inclusion of the caterpillar house made for an even more enjoyable visit. The variety of sizes and colours of both larvae and pupae was amazing. The opportunity for photographing them was too good to miss so a very enjoyable hour or so was spent in this room.
Then it was time to go out into the butterfly house itself - and it was huge. Easily the largest I have been too in the UK and even in the middle of winter it was being kept warm and humid. As the camera and lenses had been acclimatised already there was no steaming up of lenses (nor my glasses!) and again the variety of species was impressive. There were the big showy butterflies such as the Owl Butterfly but also other lesser seen species in these sort of houses like the Leaf Butterfly and some smaller white ones which I do not know the name of yet.
Most of the pictures were taken with my Canon 100mm Macro lens (no IS but as the tripod was invariably used this was not a problem) although some were taken with my 100-400mm lens (which I have discovered is a really good lens for butterfly photography).
I will add names of species etc as I discover them!
Photos now on the web site - check out the page entitled Butterfly Farm (or follow this link)http://www.gfcphotography.co.uk/other-butterflies
The Butterfly Farm itself was a fascinating place to visit - the butterflies themselves are well worth the entrance fee (this and lots of other details can be found at http://www.butterflyfarm.co.uk/attraction/index.php) The inclusion of the caterpillar house made for an even more enjoyable visit. The variety of sizes and colours of both larvae and pupae was amazing. The opportunity for photographing them was too good to miss so a very enjoyable hour or so was spent in this room.
Then it was time to go out into the butterfly house itself - and it was huge. Easily the largest I have been too in the UK and even in the middle of winter it was being kept warm and humid. As the camera and lenses had been acclimatised already there was no steaming up of lenses (nor my glasses!) and again the variety of species was impressive. There were the big showy butterflies such as the Owl Butterfly but also other lesser seen species in these sort of houses like the Leaf Butterfly and some smaller white ones which I do not know the name of yet.
Most of the pictures were taken with my Canon 100mm Macro lens (no IS but as the tripod was invariably used this was not a problem) although some were taken with my 100-400mm lens (which I have discovered is a really good lens for butterfly photography).
I will add names of species etc as I discover them!
Monday, 29 November 2010
Seals at Horsey
Just back from a weekend in Norfolk where our main aim was to find and photograph the seals - at this time of year the Grey seals are pupping.
Grey seals breed from September to December around our coastlines. The female will give birth to a single pup on a shore (known as a rookery) along with hundreds of other seals. When first born the baby is covered with a thick, creamy-white coat and they look gorgeous and cuddly, however this is soon replaced by a greyish juvenile coat after about three weeks.
We saw them at Horsey (National Trust - there is a wind pump there and a link to the site here http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-horseywindpump) where there is a roped off area of the beach and viewing platforms (steady base for a tripod rather than sinking into the sand dunes!)
Fantastic views - 156 pups so far this year and a we saw a couple of big bulls fighting - they really mean it when they go at each other!
Pictures are on the web site now.
Grey seals breed from September to December around our coastlines. The female will give birth to a single pup on a shore (known as a rookery) along with hundreds of other seals. When first born the baby is covered with a thick, creamy-white coat and they look gorgeous and cuddly, however this is soon replaced by a greyish juvenile coat after about three weeks.
We saw them at Horsey (National Trust - there is a wind pump there and a link to the site here http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-horseywindpump) where there is a roped off area of the beach and viewing platforms (steady base for a tripod rather than sinking into the sand dunes!)
Fantastic views - 156 pups so far this year and a we saw a couple of big bulls fighting - they really mean it when they go at each other!
Pictures are on the web site now.
Sunday, 20 June 2010
Kent June 2010
Saturday 5th June
We arrived at Acorn Barn after a long wait to get over the Dartford Crossing (QE2 bridge) – the traffic kept us for 90 minutes! And after all the hustle and bustle of the M25 and loads of traffic we felt we had arrived in a different world – a world full of peace and tranquillity. We could hear birds all around us – yellowhammers and skylarks. Lovely little converted barn in Bilsington so really in the country although only a handful of miles from Ashford. We had a nice relaxing evening and settled to bed early – it was so dark without any streetlights that we could see all the stars and had no problems getting to sleep.
Sunday 6th June
After a tremendous thunderstorm in the night we awoke to a clear dull morning. A kestrel flew low over the field and a green woodpecker was pecking for ants in the paddock. There was a cuckoo in the distance and some hares came close to the barn and we were able to get some pictures (hares were looking decidedly bedraggled after the night’s storm)! After a trip to the supermarket in Ashford we went into Folkestone while the weather was dull and had a lovely lunch of pan fried prawns with noodles in the harbour market. After lunch we decided to visit Denge Woods to see if we were in time to see the duke of burgundy butterfly. We were! We counted 7 at Bonsai Bank along with over 20 Common Blues. The dukes looked in very good condition although we had to shelter from a downpour before finding them. After the rain the sun shone and it was a lovely afternoon. We also found large white, green veined white and small white. Back to the barn where the hares showed well in the evening sunshine and we got some much better shots than in the morning.
Monday 7th June
Bright and sunny despite the gloomy forecast we saw on TV! Off to Dungeness RSPB and spent a lovely morning watching the warblers – never seem able to identify them properly! We spent ages watching hobbies (8 of them) catching dragonflies above one of the lakes and a pair of marsh harriers in the distance. Sadly the water level was too high for any waders anywhere on the reserve but we did catch a glimpse of the purple heron. We had heard that there were colonies of dingy and grizzled skippers towards the end of Dungeness so we went to find them. Unfortunately we only saw 1 common blue! Never mind – we had a cup of tea in the Railway Café instead!
Tuesday 8th June
Another gloomy forecast today which this time turned out to be correct! So we decided to go to Rye in nearby Sussex. Rye is a lovely little town and we had a walk around looking in the little shops and the church – then the sun came out! We had a coffee and went to Rye Harbour nature reserve. It was turning into a lovely day – sunny and warm although not without a light shower or two. Birds and butterflies were plentiful – all three terns (common, sandwich and little) plus countless warblers. Butterflies included common blue, brown argus, painted lady, red admirals and commas. We visited The Woolpack in Brookland for crab salad with prawns – very tasty.
Wednesday 9th June
Weather not very promising today but bearing in mind that the forecast had turned out wrong every day so far we set off for Blean Woods near Canterbury to see if we could find heath fritillary. When we arrived there was a party of foresters but no information board or reserve leaflets. Fortunately we found a helpful RSPB warden who told us he had seen 11 earlier and told us where to find them. Numbers were well down this year (he had counted 1300 the year before!) – we only found out much later that they were later emerging this year. We did find some of our own – 7 to be exact in the sunshine. Then the sun disappeared and so did all the butterflies! They were all roosting somewhere but once I had my eye in we managed to find several and got some under wing shots. We had just made it back to the car when the heavens opened so we had our picnic in the car. Afterwards we went to Canterbury and filled up with petrol (expensive at £1.13) and did a little shopping while the weather decided what to do. The black clouds cleared and we went to Kingsdown (near Deal) where we had been told of a colony of small blue. The sun was out and it was very warm and when we found the area which was a shingle patch full of valerian and kidney vetch (next to Campbell’s Garage) it was full of small blue – probably around 50 butterflies in total. There was a mixture of worn and fresh specimens with lots of females egg laying. Also found common blue, large white, small white, small heath and painted lady. Next we walked onto the cliffs between Kingsdown and St Margaret’s Bay and found more common blue, large and small white, small copper, painted lady, orange tip and the highlight – 3 wall browns! Although by now it was getting late our journey back to the barn went past Lydden Down so we called in and saw lots of Adonis blue (around 30) – they were all at the bottom of the down and not on the top. Also saw brown argus, large and small white and orange tip. An altogether lovely day full of sunshine and butterflies.
Thursday 10th June
Guess what – weather forecast again not good! Decided to go to Port Lympne and use our Tesco vouchers. Brilliant day out including a “safari” ride (very strange to see giraffe and rhino in the middle of the Garden of England!). Loads of animals and spotted the first large skipper of the year. A little rain during the early afternoon but another mild day with sunny intervals.
Friday 11th June
Yet another dull start so we went to Dymchurch where we discovered that the council had stopped all street parking and there was only the expensive council car park with its pot holes. Not very impressed with this place so we went to Hythe which is a world apart – a lovely little town and then called in to see Mum who lives nearby. We walked along the military canal where we saw a cuckoo – closest we have ever been to this bird!
Saturday 12th June
At last – a sunny day was forecast. Decision was made to return to Blean Wood and Bonsai Bank. Unfortunately (although probably to be expected) the weather forecast was wrong and it turned dull and a little gloomy. However we did make our way to the rides where we had seen the heath fritillary earlier. In the dull conditions we only found 5 roosting. Disappointed in the numbers as we had hoped to see “clouds of butterflies” like I remembered from childhood. It was not to be so we drove to Bonsai Bank where the sun came out and it was a lovely afternoon. There were only 2 dukes to be found now but it was nice to show them to Mum. We also spotted common blue, brown argus, red admiral, painted lady, large white, holly blue, speckled wood and a green hairstreak. Plenty of orchids around also with lady orchids being especially plentiful.
Sunday 13th June
Half way through our stay in Kent now but we intend to make the most of this week. Dull start and we went to Tenterden to have a look around. Sometimes it does not pay to be out too early as Tenterden was closed (it was Sunday!) Nice little place with a railway but we did not hang around too long as the sun came out. We decided to visit Orlestone Forest which was supposed to be good for butterflies (it wasn’t – not sure how it is being managed but there was not a single butterfly to be found! Ham Street nature reserve which we found nearby was much better where we had our picnic and saw red admiral, speckled wood, small tortoiseshell, common blue and comma. Then as the sun was still shining and it was warm we went to Hothfield Heathlands to look for reptiles. We saw in total none! We did find sundew and also common blue, brown argus, speckled wood and another large skipper.
Monday 14th June
Monday was forecast to be a dull and showery day so we switched our plan from butterflies to birds for the day. Needless to say the weather was lovely! Sunny but there was a stiff north easterly breeze meaning that the temperature only peaked at 17 degrees. We went to Oare Marsh but it was very disappointing for bird life so we decided to travel a little further afield to Elmley Marsh as we were in the general vicinity. What a fantastic place – very long drive along a bumpy road to get to the car park but the place itself was really nice and interesting. We saw several marsh harriers, lapwings, oystercatchers and redshanks all close to the car as we arrived. From the car park there was a further long walk to the bird hides but they were all interesting and the reserve was full of wildlife. Avocets, shelducks, loads of redshanks, skylarks and meadow pipits. There was even a hare on the way out!
Tuesday 15th June
We restocked our food supply in Asda and with lots of sunny intervals appearing we went to Darland Banks. We stopped at Tyland Barn on the way for an interesting look around (headquarters of Kent Wildlife Trust). Darland Banks is a lovely reserve and we would gladly have spent all day there! It is a lovely chalk grassland site and was full of butterflies. We found lots of common, adonis and small blue, large and small skipper, large white, brown argus and painted lady. After a wonderful afternoon we went back to the barn where at 9:30 a barn owl flew past!
Wednesday 16th June
Another sunny but windy day. We spent the morning in Dover while waiting for the weather to brighten up. When it did (although the wind did not drop at all) we went back to Lydden Down hoping to find some sheltered areas. A very kind lady in a charity shop told us where to look – she was right as there were plenty of adonis and common blue, large skipper, small and large white, brown argus, small tortoiseshell and wall brown. Away from this warm sheltered spot there was not too much flying due to the wind. Then back to the barn to see if we could find any more hares.
Thursday 17th June
Running out of days now so we went back to one of our favourite places – Dungeness. It was sunny but unseasonally cold – only around 13 degrees in June! Partly due to the cold north wind that was blowing again. We were looking for marsh frogs and although we heard plenty of them we only spotted one and that was jumping into the water. We had some glimpses of a possible purple heron in the distance and there were plenty of warblers around but the highlight was a bittern flying across in front of us in addition to hearing one boom. We had tea out today in Lydd (The George) – it was ok but we probably will not be back there – just us and Mum in a room on our own.
Friday 18th June
Our last day in Kent! Dull so gave up on butterflies and went to Canterbury where we had a lovely time walking around along the city walls – near the cathedral and in the lovely little shops in the cathedral area. We were disappointed to find that we could not get to the cathedral as there was now a huge charge just to get into the grounds never mind the cathedral. The only people going in were school trips – think they may have overcharged and stopped a lot of people visiting. Never mind we had a nice time in Canterbury anyway. Weather then brightened up so we went back to Blean Wood (East Blean this time) – more heath fritillaries here. This is a Kent Wildlife Trust site whereas the other Blean Wood site was RSPB.
Saturday 19th June
An extra day! We went to visit Don Wilks in Minster as he did a lot of butterfly breeding. Lovely garden – lots of butterfly food plants and he had a greenhouse to die for! Well at least if you are interested in butterflies. I learned a lot and even came away with a nettle full of New Zealand red admiral ova! Stayed overnight in the Pegwell Bay hotel which was really nice and then journey home on the Sunday.
Lovely holiday – shame the weather was so cold but that’s an English summer for you!
We arrived at Acorn Barn after a long wait to get over the Dartford Crossing (QE2 bridge) – the traffic kept us for 90 minutes! And after all the hustle and bustle of the M25 and loads of traffic we felt we had arrived in a different world – a world full of peace and tranquillity. We could hear birds all around us – yellowhammers and skylarks. Lovely little converted barn in Bilsington so really in the country although only a handful of miles from Ashford. We had a nice relaxing evening and settled to bed early – it was so dark without any streetlights that we could see all the stars and had no problems getting to sleep.
Sunday 6th June
After a tremendous thunderstorm in the night we awoke to a clear dull morning. A kestrel flew low over the field and a green woodpecker was pecking for ants in the paddock. There was a cuckoo in the distance and some hares came close to the barn and we were able to get some pictures (hares were looking decidedly bedraggled after the night’s storm)! After a trip to the supermarket in Ashford we went into Folkestone while the weather was dull and had a lovely lunch of pan fried prawns with noodles in the harbour market. After lunch we decided to visit Denge Woods to see if we were in time to see the duke of burgundy butterfly. We were! We counted 7 at Bonsai Bank along with over 20 Common Blues. The dukes looked in very good condition although we had to shelter from a downpour before finding them. After the rain the sun shone and it was a lovely afternoon. We also found large white, green veined white and small white. Back to the barn where the hares showed well in the evening sunshine and we got some much better shots than in the morning.
Monday 7th June
Bright and sunny despite the gloomy forecast we saw on TV! Off to Dungeness RSPB and spent a lovely morning watching the warblers – never seem able to identify them properly! We spent ages watching hobbies (8 of them) catching dragonflies above one of the lakes and a pair of marsh harriers in the distance. Sadly the water level was too high for any waders anywhere on the reserve but we did catch a glimpse of the purple heron. We had heard that there were colonies of dingy and grizzled skippers towards the end of Dungeness so we went to find them. Unfortunately we only saw 1 common blue! Never mind – we had a cup of tea in the Railway Café instead!
Tuesday 8th June
Another gloomy forecast today which this time turned out to be correct! So we decided to go to Rye in nearby Sussex. Rye is a lovely little town and we had a walk around looking in the little shops and the church – then the sun came out! We had a coffee and went to Rye Harbour nature reserve. It was turning into a lovely day – sunny and warm although not without a light shower or two. Birds and butterflies were plentiful – all three terns (common, sandwich and little) plus countless warblers. Butterflies included common blue, brown argus, painted lady, red admirals and commas. We visited The Woolpack in Brookland for crab salad with prawns – very tasty.
Wednesday 9th June
Weather not very promising today but bearing in mind that the forecast had turned out wrong every day so far we set off for Blean Woods near Canterbury to see if we could find heath fritillary. When we arrived there was a party of foresters but no information board or reserve leaflets. Fortunately we found a helpful RSPB warden who told us he had seen 11 earlier and told us where to find them. Numbers were well down this year (he had counted 1300 the year before!) – we only found out much later that they were later emerging this year. We did find some of our own – 7 to be exact in the sunshine. Then the sun disappeared and so did all the butterflies! They were all roosting somewhere but once I had my eye in we managed to find several and got some under wing shots. We had just made it back to the car when the heavens opened so we had our picnic in the car. Afterwards we went to Canterbury and filled up with petrol (expensive at £1.13) and did a little shopping while the weather decided what to do. The black clouds cleared and we went to Kingsdown (near Deal) where we had been told of a colony of small blue. The sun was out and it was very warm and when we found the area which was a shingle patch full of valerian and kidney vetch (next to Campbell’s Garage) it was full of small blue – probably around 50 butterflies in total. There was a mixture of worn and fresh specimens with lots of females egg laying. Also found common blue, large white, small white, small heath and painted lady. Next we walked onto the cliffs between Kingsdown and St Margaret’s Bay and found more common blue, large and small white, small copper, painted lady, orange tip and the highlight – 3 wall browns! Although by now it was getting late our journey back to the barn went past Lydden Down so we called in and saw lots of Adonis blue (around 30) – they were all at the bottom of the down and not on the top. Also saw brown argus, large and small white and orange tip. An altogether lovely day full of sunshine and butterflies.
Thursday 10th June
Guess what – weather forecast again not good! Decided to go to Port Lympne and use our Tesco vouchers. Brilliant day out including a “safari” ride (very strange to see giraffe and rhino in the middle of the Garden of England!). Loads of animals and spotted the first large skipper of the year. A little rain during the early afternoon but another mild day with sunny intervals.
Friday 11th June
Yet another dull start so we went to Dymchurch where we discovered that the council had stopped all street parking and there was only the expensive council car park with its pot holes. Not very impressed with this place so we went to Hythe which is a world apart – a lovely little town and then called in to see Mum who lives nearby. We walked along the military canal where we saw a cuckoo – closest we have ever been to this bird!
Saturday 12th June
At last – a sunny day was forecast. Decision was made to return to Blean Wood and Bonsai Bank. Unfortunately (although probably to be expected) the weather forecast was wrong and it turned dull and a little gloomy. However we did make our way to the rides where we had seen the heath fritillary earlier. In the dull conditions we only found 5 roosting. Disappointed in the numbers as we had hoped to see “clouds of butterflies” like I remembered from childhood. It was not to be so we drove to Bonsai Bank where the sun came out and it was a lovely afternoon. There were only 2 dukes to be found now but it was nice to show them to Mum. We also spotted common blue, brown argus, red admiral, painted lady, large white, holly blue, speckled wood and a green hairstreak. Plenty of orchids around also with lady orchids being especially plentiful.
Sunday 13th June
Half way through our stay in Kent now but we intend to make the most of this week. Dull start and we went to Tenterden to have a look around. Sometimes it does not pay to be out too early as Tenterden was closed (it was Sunday!) Nice little place with a railway but we did not hang around too long as the sun came out. We decided to visit Orlestone Forest which was supposed to be good for butterflies (it wasn’t – not sure how it is being managed but there was not a single butterfly to be found! Ham Street nature reserve which we found nearby was much better where we had our picnic and saw red admiral, speckled wood, small tortoiseshell, common blue and comma. Then as the sun was still shining and it was warm we went to Hothfield Heathlands to look for reptiles. We saw in total none! We did find sundew and also common blue, brown argus, speckled wood and another large skipper.
Monday 14th June
Monday was forecast to be a dull and showery day so we switched our plan from butterflies to birds for the day. Needless to say the weather was lovely! Sunny but there was a stiff north easterly breeze meaning that the temperature only peaked at 17 degrees. We went to Oare Marsh but it was very disappointing for bird life so we decided to travel a little further afield to Elmley Marsh as we were in the general vicinity. What a fantastic place – very long drive along a bumpy road to get to the car park but the place itself was really nice and interesting. We saw several marsh harriers, lapwings, oystercatchers and redshanks all close to the car as we arrived. From the car park there was a further long walk to the bird hides but they were all interesting and the reserve was full of wildlife. Avocets, shelducks, loads of redshanks, skylarks and meadow pipits. There was even a hare on the way out!
Tuesday 15th June
We restocked our food supply in Asda and with lots of sunny intervals appearing we went to Darland Banks. We stopped at Tyland Barn on the way for an interesting look around (headquarters of Kent Wildlife Trust). Darland Banks is a lovely reserve and we would gladly have spent all day there! It is a lovely chalk grassland site and was full of butterflies. We found lots of common, adonis and small blue, large and small skipper, large white, brown argus and painted lady. After a wonderful afternoon we went back to the barn where at 9:30 a barn owl flew past!
Wednesday 16th June
Another sunny but windy day. We spent the morning in Dover while waiting for the weather to brighten up. When it did (although the wind did not drop at all) we went back to Lydden Down hoping to find some sheltered areas. A very kind lady in a charity shop told us where to look – she was right as there were plenty of adonis and common blue, large skipper, small and large white, brown argus, small tortoiseshell and wall brown. Away from this warm sheltered spot there was not too much flying due to the wind. Then back to the barn to see if we could find any more hares.
Thursday 17th June
Running out of days now so we went back to one of our favourite places – Dungeness. It was sunny but unseasonally cold – only around 13 degrees in June! Partly due to the cold north wind that was blowing again. We were looking for marsh frogs and although we heard plenty of them we only spotted one and that was jumping into the water. We had some glimpses of a possible purple heron in the distance and there were plenty of warblers around but the highlight was a bittern flying across in front of us in addition to hearing one boom. We had tea out today in Lydd (The George) – it was ok but we probably will not be back there – just us and Mum in a room on our own.
Friday 18th June
Our last day in Kent! Dull so gave up on butterflies and went to Canterbury where we had a lovely time walking around along the city walls – near the cathedral and in the lovely little shops in the cathedral area. We were disappointed to find that we could not get to the cathedral as there was now a huge charge just to get into the grounds never mind the cathedral. The only people going in were school trips – think they may have overcharged and stopped a lot of people visiting. Never mind we had a nice time in Canterbury anyway. Weather then brightened up so we went back to Blean Wood (East Blean this time) – more heath fritillaries here. This is a Kent Wildlife Trust site whereas the other Blean Wood site was RSPB.
Saturday 19th June
An extra day! We went to visit Don Wilks in Minster as he did a lot of butterfly breeding. Lovely garden – lots of butterfly food plants and he had a greenhouse to die for! Well at least if you are interested in butterflies. I learned a lot and even came away with a nettle full of New Zealand red admiral ova! Stayed overnight in the Pegwell Bay hotel which was really nice and then journey home on the Sunday.
Lovely holiday – shame the weather was so cold but that’s an English summer for you!
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