The heatwave all week finally broke on Friday, temperatures five days running above 34 degrees, the first time since 1961. The result of all this was a complete scuppering of I an and my plans for this Saturday. All indications were for it to be cooler but with sunny intervals and maybe a shower. The reality though was low cloud and mist and drizzle. We stuck at it though, arriving at the car park near to the Village Centre in Shipton Bellinger, it was at least dry and it wasn't cold, but looking around the hills and downs the mist and cloud lingered. We were here for butterflies of course, in particular the Brown Hairstreak and Wall Brown. We walked the bye way to the open area disturbing one or two Meadow Browns but nothing else.
We kept going in hope and managed to flush the Small Heath photographed above, but that was it. Raven flew over, Chiffchaff and Bullfinch called from the bushes but nothing else. The weather didn't look like changing, it was probably set for the day. Reluctantly we decided to give up. This means that I will more than likely miss out on both this year. We were also going to go from here to Broughton Down for Silver-spotted Skipper, that too was not going to happen, the weather there much worse. So we decided on going to Baddesley Common, but as we headed south the rain started and got progressively worse the further we drove.
Arriving at the footpaths to the common and Emer Bog it was raining, not heavy but persistent drizzle. After eating lunch we decided this too was a waste of time so opted for Hill Head and Titchfield Haven, surely that would be quiet on a day like this, how wrong we were. Driving on to the sea wall all the parking spaces were taken and there were hundreds of people on the beach and walking up and down the sea wall. We both managed to find a parking place and as I waited for Ian a Sandwich Tern flew past, my second photograph of the day, crazy.
The juvenile would dive with the adult, coming up alongside it to continue begging. The adult would also stay down longer and you could see the youngster searching for it.
We walked to the beach behind the sailing club where there terns on the exposed shingle despite the number of people around. A Ringed Plover flew in and joined a few Redshank feeding on the shingle. Of shore both Common and Sandwich Terns could be heard calling as they passed by.
A report of a Pied Flycatcher on the east side of the Haven reserve had us interested but we had to be able to get into the reserve as it was operating a booking only policy. However after a phone call we were cleared to go but had to return to the cars to get a face mask to be able to enter the shop and if we wanted to use the hides.
Two Common Sandpipers flew over calling, coming from the reserve and then swinging back to head up the Meon river
As I waited for Ian at my car a Sandwich Tern came close to the sea wall giving some great views.
We walked the boardwalk to the spot where the flycatcher had been seen, in the scrub around the area of the Walkway pond. Disappointingly there was very little noise in the area, no bird calls accept the occasional Robin. We stood staring into the scrub and willow trees but nothing was giving. A Chiffchaff called and on walking to the Knights Bank Hide a group of Blackcap and a Whitethroat were feeding on Elderberries. Young Sparrowhawk called from amongst the scrub in the marsh and a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over.
With time slipping away we decided to make our way around to the west side to check the scrape from the Meon Shore Hide. Stopping on the bridge a Little Grebe was on the water close to the reeds.
A dive a quick shake.
The adult Great Crested Grebe had managed to shake off the attention of the juvenile to enjoy some time to preen.
Off shore a Common Tern had been sat on the buoy all the time we had been here.
The water level was now a lot lower than when we arrived. We had heard the calls of Water Rail, and now with the water low we stopped to check the edge of the reeds and there it was winding its way around the reed stems.
It makes it into the corner and then turned back and disappeared once again into the reeds
The hide was empty so we were able to relax a little and check the scrape in front of us. The water level was high but there was still a good amount of activity, we counted over 30 Black-tailed Godwits, and at the last count 26 Avocet. Common terns, both adult and juveniles could be seen on the islands and posts in the scrape.
Teal, Mallard and Gadwall were all present and there were several juvenile Black-headed Gulls, one still being fed by the adult. A Common Sandpiper, probably one of the two we had seen earlier was present at the back of the scrape, but then flew to the island in front of the hide.
Hidden at first at the back of the island, it finally managed to negotiate its way around a Moorhen and then make its way to the front of the island.
Some of the best photographic opportunities I have had with a Common Sandpiper.
Probably the best moment of the day! We decided to call it a day after the Sandpiper flew off, a very disappointing day down to the weather and sightings and probably means I will not get the number of butterflies I hoped for this year. Besides all that it was good to have the time to talk and laugh something that is important these days.
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