26th July A new record count for the county of MedGulls was had this morning at Southend Seafront with 186 seen including only 13 juveniles. There were a number of returning colour rung birds.
From here I investigated the rough ground near Fossetts Farm/Waitrose and found it to be a butterfly gem with 15 species noted here in good numbers. Of most interest were the 36 Painted Ladies, 21 Peacock, the single Clouded Yellow, 7 or more Brown Argus, 13 Common Blues and the Red Admiral. High numbers of Gatekeepers were present with some hundreds here.
Gatekeeper was also added to the garden list in the afternoon whilst further Painted Ladies were also seen here.
25th July A gulling day with Pete today at a local tip. We managed a few very smart juvenile Yellow-legged Gulls, as well as two adults, in the nearby creek though they all proved to be difficult to photograph. Also in the creek were two juvenile MedGulls with one of these or another on the tip itself. There were a lot of birds present though the heat haze was difficult though an adult MedGull and the First-winter albino Herring Gull from last winter were seen along with numerous colour rung birds. In the creek were also three Common Sandpipers and Little Egret.
23rd July First count of MedGulls at the seafront over the 100 mark with 107, including 4 juveniles, seen on the evening falling tide.
18th July Back at Botany Bay Woods in Surrey this morning for Wood White which was out in numbers the past week. Sure enough I ended up with a tally of around 20 of these tiny whites that dance around as on the end of a length of string. They had a habit of landing very low down which required often lying flat down on the ground to get eye level with them, a cure but frustrating butterfly. Also in the woods Silver-washed Fritillaries were more numerous than on previous visits with many females out now though the major, save a few, were looking tatty. A couple of White Admirals and a number of Brimstone added interest to the 18 species seen here today, though this did not include Purple Emperor or Purple Hairstreak. Bird wise two Buzzards were the highlights.
After a pub lunch in Frinton Cissbury Ring was pretty much devoid of anything due to the strong winds and frequent rain showers.
12th July MedGulls down on yesterday with peak of 59. this was followed by a visit to Benfleet Downs where 7 White-letter Hairstreaks were the pick of the butterflies on offer.
11th July Finally got to do a MedGull at the seafront this morning with an average count of 75 noted which included a juvenile. Visits to Paglesham were pretty much birdless though Gatekeepers and Essex Skippers were out now in numbers.
In Belfairs Woods a pristine Brown Argus put a show but the weather prevented the White Admirals doing the same. There were also two nice Purple Hairstreaks.
4th July Back to Botany Woods today with Lee Ebbs. Things were not looking good early on with fog and low cloud on arrival but at 9am the sun had come out a male, rather tatty, was on the path so looking promising. The sun then played hide and seek behind the clouds for the next hour during which time numerous Purple Hairstreaks, Silver-washed Fritillaries, my years first Gatekeeper and another better look Purple Emperor on the deck. The sun disappeared for several hours and rain came in. However early afternoon things impoved and were had another fly by only Emperor further into the wood, numerous Marbled Whites and Purple Hairstreaks. Whilst walking back to the car a very good male Purple Emperor performed very well for us allowing my best photos yet to be taken, stunning. We were on a high but we also added new dragonflies in the form a great Golden-ringed Dragonfly and a Beautiful Damselfly. A great day.
2nd July Attempted Purple Emperors at Botany Woods near Guildford today but despite seeing them on the path briefly none were really photographable which was frustrating. The wood also held numerous White Admirals, Silver-washed Fritillaries and Purple Hairstreaks.