Saturday 1 June 2019

Marsh backwaters

Royal Military Canal - hot, dry and sunny, light airs - Pat joined us this morning for a tour of some of the quieter reaches of the Marsh with particular attention to the area around Warehorne and Kennardington. The weather was stunning, but a little too hot to be in the field by noon. Turtle Doves were noted at five different locations totalling eight birds, while a Spotted Flycatcher near Warehorne bridge was our first of the year. It was good to see plenty of Yellowhammers, Linnets and Common Whitethroats in the canal side bushes, plus one or two of Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Cetti`s Warbler, Reed Bunting, Bullfinch, Goldfinch, Long-tailed Tit, Green Woodpecker, Cuckoo and Kestrel. Also in adjacent fields, Skylark, Mipit, Tree Sparrow, Little Egret, Grey Heron and Common Buzzard, Fox and Hare.


                                Royal Military Canal

                                Yellowhammer

                                Marsh Frog

  Grass Vetchling was also in flower beside the canal along with plenty of laughing Marsh Frogs in the weedy shallows and a Grass Snake; evidence of Mink probably accounted for not a single waterfowl sighting. There was also a good showing of common butterflies and dragonflies including a pristine female Broad-bodied Chaser that looked as though it had just emerged from its final larval stage.

                                Broad-bodied Chaser

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