Today was forecast to be the warmest of the year so far and on the spring equinox too. Would this bring in the migrants? That remains to be seen. Yesterday there was a report of two Little Ringed Plover in the TLC field at Hook, so I had made my mind up to start there this morning. As I was driving a report came in of just one Little Ringed Plover still present, so things were looking good.
I pulled up by the sub station and walked around to the field. There is a small flooded area just beyond the wooden fence. I have seen them here before, but despite searching and scanning there wasn't any sign of the small wader. I walked along the footpath and scanned the whole area, not just for the plover but also the possibility of a Wheatear.
Other than a few Canada Geese and the Canada / Barnacle hybrid, nothing. I walked back scanning but without any luck. This was the view without any Little Ringed Plover.
As I stood scanning forlornly a Mediterranean Gull flew over calling.
I walked down to the beach with Chiffchaff singing in th escrub and trees. There wasn't anything on the sea, but distantly I could see Brent Geese heading west, on the way back to Siberia?
As I turned to come back a Brimstone flew past but kept stopping to turn the wings toward the sun. Has the butterfly season started?
I made my way back to the car and headed to my next destination, Browndown South, but had I made an error with the weather?
Walking on to the reserve I met Pete and Gary and was told the Adders were about early on, but seemed to have warmed up and moved off now. It was warm but I have seen the at this time in similar weather so I decided to try. As I set off a Small Tortoiseshell butterfly flew past me and settled on the bracken.
This butterfly must have hibernated over winter, it looked quite bedraggled. Nice to get though as they have become quite rare now.
I walked around the loop, without any luck, there was no sign of any sdders or lizards for that matter.
Birds were also in short supply with very little bird song and definitely no sign of any Dartford Warblers. A male Kestrel flew across the path and settled in a tree but in poor light.
Looking across to the Solent two terns were fishing along the tide line. I managed to get a little closer and could see they were Sandwich Terns, a year tick, so these could be the highlight of the day.
The light was poor once again, but you can just make out the yellow tip to the bill.
I had lunch on the beach, with a Great Crested Grebe to keep me company. After lunch I made my way back around the loop once more, and once more there were no Adders. Several Peacock butterflies flew past me as did one Comma, none of them stopped for a photograph though. There was something of interest that posed though, a nice male Dartford Warbler.
I had come to the conclusion things were not going to get better, so headed back to the car. Just by the entrance there was a Greenfinch singing on top of the gorse.
A bird that is over looked for being common, but they have suffered of late. They alos look lovely at this time of year in the bright green plumage.
So, the hopes and dreams of the day were dashed. It definitely was a stunningly beautiful day, with temperatures reaching twenty degrees, but it was probably too nice for the birds and reptiles.
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