12th September - Farlington Marshes and Old Winchester Hill, Hampshire

 

With dawn now coming later and later, the early start is not so early and you get the chance to admire some spectacular sunrises.  Today there were meant to be overcast conditions around dawn, but the clouds were a little late and allowed the sun to break through and show off a wonderful sky over Farlington Marshes.

Once the sun did rise it lit up not just the marsh.

But also picking out the energy recovery unit in Gosport

Singles and groups of Little Egret flew across the marsh after coming out of roost.

I was here for a Pectoral Sandpiper that had been reported yesterday on the stream in front of the visitor hut, but on arriving there was no sign of any waders, just Coot, Moorhen and Teal.  I had a choice should I stay or should I go and walk on.  I decided to go and headed towards the sea wall.  On reaching the sea wall the sun had lit up the eastern sky a deep orange, silhouetting the dead trees on North Binness Island.

Unfortunately there was no sign of any Osprey so I headed south.  Cattle were grazing on the marsh and a group of five Yellow Wagtail flew over, I was alerted by their calls..

The tide was high and several Black-headed Gulls were on the water, as they swam their wake was picked up by the morning sunlight.

At the Deeps two Dunlin fed on the water.

There was very little bird movement in the ditch and reeds, in fact the most numerous were Robins their calls and song being heard almost everywhere, probably as a result of an influx overnight.

I did pick up a small warbler moving through the reeds flying up and catching insects, finally pinning it down I could see it was a Reed Warbler.

I walked through Point Field with more Robins singing and calling from the bramble bushes.  Back up on the sea wall I disturbed a Wheatear that disappeared into the scrub in Point Field.  Incidently Point Field looks perfect for mice and voles so hopefully we might have a good Short-eared Owl winter.

I walked around towards the Lake and was shocked to see that the ideal wader conditions that were present last week were completely flooded.

The area in the photograph a week ago was covered in Black-tailed Godwits, today its empty, the waders that were roosting on the lake were in the north corner of the lake.  There were Redshank, Grey Plover, Black-tailed Godwits and seventeen Greenshank.  I couldn't find the Pintail present last week but there were good numbers of Wigeon for the time of year along with the teal and a few Shoveler

 

I crossed the field alongside the lake and then the stream.  The Robins were joined by good numbers of Meadow Pipits.

The roost of Black-tailed Godwits were now settled on the stream and as I got closer some were spooked and took to the air to circle the reeds.

There was no sign of the Pectoral Sandpiper, the only small waders were a total of six Curlew Sandpipers and five Dunlin.

The tide was starting to fall and the godwits were clearly aware and could be seen to be restless in the roost.  This ended with another number of them taking off and circling the lake before heading across the marsh towards the east side of the sea wall

Four of the six Curlew Sandpipers on the stream.

I walked once again to the visitor hut in the hope there might be some waders up there.  The only wader present though was a single Black-tailed Godwit, feeding close to the path.

I needed to back track as I had lost the rubber cap from my scope, walking past the bushes there was a good number of Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs moving through the hawthorn bushes.  Goldfinches, too,were feeding on the thistle seed heads.  I would have been amiss if I didn't show a photograph of at least one of the many Robins that were present around the reserve.

To say Farlington was quiet was an under statement, on returning to the car park it was now time to decide where to go next.  I opted to cross the border and try for the juvenile Pallid Harrier on Thorney Island.  It was a short drive, but as I followed the directions it became clear that a lot of others were already present and others were following me in.  On reaching the site I was amazed to see so many people all gathered together, many more than the rule of six and also exceeding the number of thirty.  With the parking problems and the number of people I decided that I didn't need to see a Pallid Harrier that much.

I turned around and decided to head for Old Winchester Hill.  With the sunshine there might be some butterflies and there have been reports of migrants too.  Pulling into the car park I was furious to see a pile of rubbish fly tipped, this really is the lowest of the low.

From the car park I headed down hill along the circular path.  Coming through the gate I saw the flicking of a red tail at the base of a Hawthorn bush, the tail belonged to a Redstart but I never managed to find the bird again.  There were several Chiffchaffs about, both seen and heard in the bushes.

I walked down the hill, scanning the fields below I could see various ages of Pheasant.  The path winds around to the left and levels out.  The area was sheltered and as the sun started to emerge from behind the clouds butterflies started to appear.  First were very pale and faded Meadow Browns which had you chasing them wondering what they were, then a smaller butterfly, as it settled I could see it was a Small Copper.

A flash of blue then revealed an Adonis Blue, stunning colour but I lost it only to then find a Common Blue.

With the sun out butterflies were all about me.  As I walked I disturbed Small Heath and more Meadow Browns, many now in much better condition.  Small and Large Whites were attracted to the ragwort and daisy flowers.

Female Common Blues, at first I thought Brown Argus, but no, the orange and brown spots and the lack of spots on the fore wings saying Common Blue.

As well as the yellow ragwort and dandelions there was a good amount of scabious in flower and with them were the butterflies, here a very immaculate Meadow Brown.

Meadow Browns are photographed at the start of their flight period and at the end.

A male Common Blue

The sunshine was intermittent which meant there would be a period of activity and then nothing.  But if you found a butterfly it would typically be with its wings open just like this Small Copper.

Then a surprise, I hadn't expected to find a Silver spotted Skipper but was pleased when I found one.  They seem to appear later here on Old Winchester Hill than other sites in Hampshire.

I only managed this one photograph before it was gone and I couldn't find it again.  I decided not to wait for the sun to return and continued the circular walk in hope that when I reached the fort the sun would be out and that I would be able to find more skippers there in the field on the south side.

The path goes through a patch of trees that unfortunately have been cleared in places of the Ash tree due to ash die back disease.  This though provided some open glades where up to six Speckled Wood could be seen dueling and warming up on the scattered logs.

 Coming out of the wood having climbed a substantial hill you are faced with an even steeper climb, but with some stunning views.  Away from the path the meadow was covered with flowering lavender coloured scabious.

At the top of the hill a path runs around the slope providing some wonderful views away to the north west.

I walked around the fort and then on the south side headed across the moat and then the fence and into the field that slopes down away from the fort.  At the bottom of the slope there are juniper and gorse bushes that provide cover and shelter, but butterflies appeared as I crossed the field heading down hill.  The most numerous were the Small Heath and Meadow Brown, but it didn't take long to find the butterfly I was hoping for, a Silver spotted Skipper.

This rare skipper is restricted to chalk downs in southern England where it can be seen darting low over short turf, stopping frequently to bask on bare ground or feed on flowers such as Dwarf Thistle. It can be distinguished by the numerous silver-white spots on the undersides of the hind wings, which can be seen quite easily when it rests with wings in a characteristic 'half-open' posture. 

All the dwarf thistle had gone over but there were still skippers about, this one nectaring on a small dandelion.

This warmth-loving skipper is relatively-local, but is fairly easy to identify, since it is the only skipper found in the British Isles that has the distinctive white spots on the underside of the hindwings, which give the butterfly its name. Like other "golden" skippers, the male is distinguished from the female by the sex brand on its forewings, which is a line of specialised scent scales.

Its range contracted in the 20th century due to a reduction in grazing stock as well as the onset of myxomatosis which severely affected rabbit populations. Recent years have been more promising and this is one of the few species that is increasing its range.

The Silver-spotted Skipper is a fast-flying species that flies close to the ground, and can be difficult to follow when in flight. The male of this species is more-frequently encountered than the female. Both sexes spend the majority of their time either basking or feeding, and a wide variety of nectar sources is used, including various species of Thistle. The butterfly will find the warmest patches of ground on which to bask, enjoying the warmth of paths, rabbit scrapes and other patches of bare earth which have been baked by the sun. This species is inactive in overcast conditions.

Common Blues, both male and female were present

And more Small Copper

The Small Heath were the commonest butterfly but when disturbed they would settle in the grass laying flat, not a very nice composure, so when I found one settled on a stem it was an opportunity to photograph.

I came across an immaculate male Adonis Blue with wings open.  As I approached I disturbed a Clouded Yellow, I was then presented with a problem, did I chase the Clouded Yellow and leave the Adonis or just stay with the Adonis.  I watched the Clouded Yellow and it flew away and away, making the decision for me.  I just hoped there would be more.

Back to the Adonis and you can see why I had the decision to make.

The Adonis Blue is another species of chalk downland, where it may be found in warm, sheltered spots. The male Adonis Blue has brilliantly-coloured blue wings that gives this butterfly its name, and can be found flying low over vegetation, seeking out the less-conspicuous females that are a rich chocolate brown in colour. 

Like its close relative, the Chalk Hill Blue, the distribution of this species follows the distribution of Horseshoe Vetch which, in turn, follows the distribution of chalk and limestone grassland. However, this species has a more restricted distribution than the Chalk Hill Blue, indicating more precise habitat requirements. 

The under side which is why it is difficult to locate them with wings closed.

There are two broods each year. The first adult emergence is in the second half of May, peaking at the end of May and beginning of June. The second adult emergence is in the second half of August, peaking at the end of August and beginning of September.

As I followed the blues about I disturbed either another or the same Clouded Yellow.  This one I followed and finally it settled in the grass where I was able to get a shot.

The Clouded Yellow is primarily an immigrant to the UK, originating from north Africa and southern Europe, with numbers varying greatly from year to year.  The orange-yellow colour is quite distinctive, even in flight, and unlike any other species. 

As I made my way back up the slope I came across an immature Kestrel that seemed to not be bothered with me as it concentrated on its hunting technique. 

Hovering quite close to me it would frequently drop to the grass and pounce.

But coming up with nothing

It was as if it was reacting to any movement in the grass, and insect or mammal, but not being very successful as it pounced.

I stood quietly in the field and watched as it hovered around me.

I love the way the wing tips are blurred in this shot demonstrating how quick they are beat to maintain the position in the air.

It finally flew off and I continued out of the field.  I then came across it as I walked along the side of the moat.  It sat on a post watching carefully what ever was moving below it.

But then became interested in me

I could move in closer before it flew off across the field.

I walked along the side path to avoid the boring footpath.  This heads towards the car park. 

Up onthe top path I found myself stopping at first for a single Comma on the blackberries.

But a little further by four immature  Kestrels once again honing their hunting skills on the slope and using the uplift to aid their hover.

I was level with the trees on the other side of the valley.  These provided a dark almost black background.

If one of the Kestrels plunged down it would be quickly harassed by the others who thought it had caught something.  A small scrap would take place before the aggressors realised it had not be successful and flew off

This individual had an interesting way of checking the grass below

My lunch was calling so I  left the Kestrels and headed back to the car park with a Buzzard flying alongside me overhead calling.

After lunch I once again headed downhill from the car park but only a short distance stopping on the other side of the fence to check the bushes and hawthorn.  A party of Long-tailed Tits were joined by a couple of Chiffchaffs moving along the line of the bushes.

I had hoped to find the Redstart I had seen earlier but there was no sign of it.  I walked a short way down the hill to the dead tree and scanned the sky.  To the north there were at least six Buzzards, but what caught my eye was a large raptor that was clearly not a Buzzard as it was flying or gliding in a south west direction over the Meon valley.  The wings appeared long with the primaries well splayed apart completely different to the buzzards that were about and the wings were held horizontal, no pronounced "V" as in the Buzzards and where the buzzard when soaring shows a straight almost curved like a slight"C" along the leading edge this bird had a pronounced "M".  I was happy this was an Osprey.

My problem was that it had passed when I realised what I was watching and moving away quickly without any wing flaps, there was no chance to photograph, take your eye of it and it was lost.  I would not mind betting this was one of the birds later found at Nursling and Eling.

I decided to head back to the main walk and the picnic area to see if the Kestrels were still about and indeed they were.

And then it moved again in front of the trees that created this almost black background.

A distant Red Kite then drifted closer probably attracted by the number of Kestrels that were hovering over the field.  It drifted closer and closer then twisted and turned to dive after one of the Kestrels that was dropping closer to the ground.

The Kite continued to drift across in front of me and then out across the valley all the time watching the Kestrels.

The view looking out across from the fence, both the kite and Kestrels using the uplift to good affect.

I concentrated now on the Red Kite, the valley, meadow and trees providing a lot of different backgrounds for the beautiful plumage of the kite.

Maybe a look at me.

Anything below?

While it kept a close look on the Kestrels it didn't make any real move on them.  Then suddenly it turned, dived holding the wings in and using the legs as an air brake

It came out of the drop opened the wings and at speed flew towards a Kestrel on the ground.  The Kestrel, realising the danger was off and up into the air with the Kite slowing.  

The Kite was not interested in the falcon, but what it had caught, the truth was it had not caught anything. The Red Kite then gained height and must have then decided that these young Kestrels were not going to provide it with an easy meal and drifted away leaving the Kestrels to their training.

A day that had seemed as if it would be a disaster turned about to be a good one after all.  Just when you think the butterflies are all over they make a come back.  The skipper was nice and as for the Tow "K"s the Kestrels and Kites they were something special, but the biggest surprise was the Osprey, I don't do fly overs!  It is a shame it couldn't have performed in the way the kestrels and kite did.