Weather

Cold early morning, 15°C daytime high. Dry for most of the day with showers, some heavy in the afternoon. NW 14-16mph.

View looking at the south east side of the Trapping Area.

The Desert east of the Trapping Area.

I started the day in the Desert at the Point, taking a wide route near to the railway station and then on to the Sanctuary. Three Red Foxes were evident warming up in the morning sunshine. 

Two flocks of 11 and six Stonechats were foraging amongst the gorse along with a two Whinchats and a Redstart. Occasionally Meadow Pipits would fly over heading west indicating that a movement albeit in low numbers was happening. I recorded 17w.

Meadow Pipit

Whinchat

Whilst at the northern end of the Desert I was fortunate to be in the right place to pick up a juvenile Honey Buzzard which ended up circling over the Point and Long Pits before heading off north-west over ARC and Lade. It or another was later seen perched in willow from the Polish War Memorial. Kestrels are not keen on the intrusion in to their air space and monitored the movements of the Honey Buzzard. At least 19 Kestrels were recorded in the Desert area.

Honey Buzzard juvenile being mobbed by a Kestrel.

I then visited the RSPB Reserve and checked out Burrowes Pit. The White-winged Black Tern and at least 11 Black Terns were still present. An unexpected heavy rain shower caused the White-winged Black Tern to make a most bizarre head movement. After the rain shower, a couple of Black Terns decided it was time for a wash.

White-winged Black Tern (right) and Black Tern (left) 

Washing Black Terns

Bizarre head movement by the White-winged Black Tern

White-winged Black Tern

Butterflies were noticeable in the Desert with Small Copper, Small Heath, Red Admiral and a couple of Peacocks.

Peacock Butterfly

Whilst watching the terns feeding, a begging juvenile Goldfinch with an adult appeared on the Teasels in front of Dennis's Hide.