Blow's Downs had a male Ring Ouzel, but it wasn't showing during my search. There were six Wheatear on the paddocks slope. Nearby a Chiffchaff was feeding between bouts of singing. On the local patch, a few Swallow and Sand Martin were still present.
After leaving 'Dunge' a short journey to Rye Harbour NR and the chance of Little Tern. There were at least five birds, but they were high in the sky. Two other tern species breed here on this well managed nature reserve - Common Tern and Sandwich Tern.
This pair were much easier to photograph :-)
The smart Mediterranean Gull thrive on the reserve.
Unexpectedly, a Kittiwake flew low overhead in to the sun.
Migrant waders were thin on the ground, this Bar-tailed Godwit tried to find a spot to land.
Northern Wheatear breed here too.
An early drive up to the paddocks at Blow's downs, Dunstable to see a Northern Wheatear. A nice male that kept its distance - not helped by frisky horses galloping around its favoured area ! Peach, blue/grey and black - a great colour combination, methinks.
The weather continues to stay fair, but change is, apparently, on the way. At Dstw, new arrivals included a fly-over calling Little-ringed Plover ( a week late) and a few more Sand Martin (never lingering). A pair of Grey Wagtail hunted on the wader scrape.
With a raft of Honey Buzzard records on the east coast from Cleveland to Kent, many birders headed to the hilltops for wide vistas and a chance to find their own. I was already on the Clappers looking for other migrants and butterflies.
No Honey Buzzard were seen, but this Northern Wheatear proved approachable.
A juvenile Red-backed Shrike was just outside the reserve viewed from a public footpath along the bank of the Thames.
The current visitors centre will eventually become an educational building. An interesting strucure indeed - my first thought was 'yuk' ! (and remains so).
A Wood Sandpiper was just a bit too distant.
A distant Northern Wheatear.
A few Little Egret were dotted around the reserve.
This Ruff showed well from the hide.
My best view of a Water Vole. This is a top site for these declining creatures.
Roesel's Bush Cricket Metrioptera roeselii. A scarce cricket, mainly found near coasts but increasing inland.
A Migrant Hawker.
A distant shot of the QEII bridge which carries the M25 motorway over the River Thames.
A nice spot, overall, difficult to believe it's not far from busy London.
