Terry Brown

What a cracking beast

Still getting Jersey Tigers in the garden but Straw Underwing have taken over in terms of numbers The most common moth in the trap last few days

The trap hasn't been on last few days but that hasn't stopped the moths from inhabiting the garden The wife's eagle eyes found this Poplar Hawk Moth this morning

Just back from 2 days birding Frampton Marsh RSPB & Gib Point with a visit to Freiston for the Pec Sand Weather was awful but a decent haul that not only included the Pec but also Currlew Sandpiper Arctic Skua Spoonbill Little Tern Whimbrel Green & Connon Sand & Common Scoter

After release in the mornings the Jersey Tigers appear to be spending the day in the garden

Never tire of seeing the Green Sandpipers at PaxtonNR They are a delight to see on the exposed islands on the Heronry Lakes Saw 5 today A female Marsh Harrier is becoming part of the fixture and fittings of this cracking nature reserve of late The shrubbery was a little quiet with just 15 Chiffs

At Cliiffe RSPB this morning The pools were dry in places but there was enough water to attract a fine adult Curlew Sandpiper a Common Sandpiper 8 Greenshank a Whimbrel 2 Little Ringed Plovers 225 Black Tailed Godwits 25 Avocets and 2 Black Necked Grebes

Two visits to PaxtonNR this week with Green Sandpipers the highlights Numbers have dropped to 3 on the Heronry Lakes Today's Hobby was good to see as was a movement of Chiffchaff & Blackcap in the shrubbery alongside the A1 lakes (25 & 15) Other signs of Autumn included 30 Lapwing 3 Teal & a Pochard

I would appreciate an id for this cattapillar if possible

The guys at RSPB Ouse Wash are prepping the scrapes in readiness for the Autumn rush of Waders Its much needed as they are dry as the proverbial bone right now resulting in zero birds Hopefully it will improve once they let the water in from the river Around 60 Swifts moving though

After a two week tennis fest it was good to get out for an amble round PaxtonNR Low water levels on the heronry lakes attracted 5 Green Sandpiper 1 Common Sandpiper 7 Lapwing 2 Little & 1 Great Egret 6 Little Grebes & 26 Moorhen A female Marsh Harrier was seen low over Island Lake

Second Lime Hawk Moth of the year still hanging around after last night's running of the garden trap. After a spell of no records for three years it's good to see them again.

With a garden more akin to a countryside meadow than a neat and tidy suburban one it has becomes a Hoverfly haven with regular visits from Gatekeeper Peacock Meadow Brown and Large/Small White butterflies

First Jersey Tiger of the year in the garden this morning Really smart moth

Despite good wader pools at Ouse Wash RSPB today only 20 Black TG's were in attendance with 3 Avocets A flyover Bittern was good to see Fen Drayton in the afternoon was not much better 14 Black TG's flew in while I was there and a singing Turtle Dove made me smile Did I mention it was hot!

Due to lack of rain PaxtonNR has a fair amount of exposed mud providing great habitat for any passing waders There were 3 Green Sands in the corner of Island Lake with another on heronry south today Hoping numbers will increase in the coming days

Not a huge list at Frampton Marsh RSPB today but when one was a Collared Pratincole it didn't need to be Also good to see 9 Spotted Redshanks Always good to see them in summer plumage Add in 15 Spoonbill and several Little R Plovers it weren't a bad 7 hours Very windy though especially on the bank

A trip up to Frampton Marsh RSPB this morning for the Collared Pratincole Its showing well if a little distant if viewed from the VC

An eight hour stint at Minsmere today The Roseate Tern was a no show but cracking views of in-flight Bittern was had Also 4 summer plumage Spotted Redshanks were looking smart Also 3 Little Ringed Plovers & loads of breeding Sandwich Terns Common Terns & Med Gulls An enjoyable day in the heat

It's been a Balearic Shearwater morning at Portland with several past the Bill Good to see some close up to view the differences from the Manxies also going past The view from The Lobster Pot decent too as I devour my cream tea with much enthusiasm No photo of the scone though It didn't last long!

After yesterdays off Island jolly to Arne on a warm sunny albeit windy day I waken to a breezy and wet day on Portland The forecasted rain has kept everyone else in their beds as I'm the only one up and about I've given the Robin his breakfast - and now it's my turn - Onion and chive bagel with tea

Some signs yesterday of a little upturn in fortunes on Portland with a few migrants about including Spot Fly and the odd Balearic Today though has seen the weather turn a tad grotty with strong winds & heavy drizzle Seawatching from the Obs has resulted in 64 Manxies this morning

Portland BO blog has made for grim reading last few days but I head there tomorrow with much enthusiasm & optimism Sub Alp Warbler Greenish Warbler Blyth's Reed Warbler Red Breasted Fly Woodchat Strike Golden Oriole & Rosey Starling have all been seen June on Portland over the years

Crazy that it's taken me till May 28th to get my first Turtle Dove of the year There was one at Fen Drayton RSPB this morning Couldn't locate it even though it was quite close A crackin' sound

Fortunately it was not found in the garden They sound like an insect regarded as a pest It was a cracking colour of red though

Not the best of phone shots in the wind but can anyone put a name to this brightly coloured insect

Got very wet during my 7 hour amble at PaxtonNR today The heavy drizzle was very unpleasant But the rain did got the insects flying as around 75 Sand Martin were present both at ground level & up high At least 2 Cuckoo were active and calling too The usual mix of Warblers made it in to the notebook

A day that has a Small Elephant Hawk-moth in it is always a good day The first one this year

Two days left of my Spurn adventure & after ditching the wife for a few hours I was finally in right place right time mode for Beaeater which perched a wee while before heading off The Red-backed Shrike along the point popped up briefly early morning too so an all round good start to the day

Day 2 of my Spurn adventure and its been rather dissapointing so far Few birds of note in the area plus todays best eluded me and many others searching for it Common Rosefinch can be very mobile with a right place right time scenario to seeing it I wasn't - twice The joys and all that!