Bath RSPB,s
monthly field trip was a visit to Martin Down National Nature Reserve 13
members arrived and we were led by Glen who knows the area well. While waiting
in the car park for everyone to arrive Whitethroats
and Skylarks were calling and in the
end we all managed good sightings of both, We also heard the never to be
forgotten call of the Cuckoo calling from a
wooded area next to the car park but not showing, as we were there we set off
in the hope of finding the Cuckoo, walking
down a footpath to the open area of the reserve several members managed a
glimpse of the bird but the majority missed it so we set off hoping to find it
later. We soon added Carrion Crow and Woodpigeon then as luck would have it the Cuckoo flew past us heading in the direction we
were going. Next our 1st butterfly of the day was seen a Small Copper. As we continued a Red Kite was spotted in the distance, we later saw
2 more but this time much closer. Our 2nd butterfly soon followed a Grizzled Skipper very exciting as it was a new
species for me.
 |
Grizzled Skipper - Martin Down
(Bath Birdwatcher) |
It was a very breezy day so most of the birds were hiding out
of the wind but we did manage to find a singing Chiffchaff,
the larger birds were easier to see and we soon added Rook, Jackdaw and Magpie
to the days total. A Great Tit flew
by and disappeared into some bushes and almost immediately we flushed 2 Grey Partridge another welcome sighting of a bird
that is becoming harder to find and as we watched them fly away a Corn Bunting was singing from a bush and 2 Swallows flew
rapidly past. In the distance David spotted a Lesser
Black Back Gull and as we continued I found a single Stock Dove, We also found these Small Eggar moth caterpillars a rare moth we were
told. |
Small Eggar Moth caterpillars
Martin Down (Bath Birdwatcher) |
It was nearing lunch time so we made
our way back to the cars adding Swifts a Painted Lady butterfly and a female Kestrel. The
weather for the day had promised showers but during the morning it was
mostly dry with just a few spots of rain but sitting in the cars we had a very
sharp shower. Lunch over and with the Cuckoo calling
again we set off for another sighting but as before a few managed to see it before it flew off. A Small Heath butterfly
was our 1st new sighting of the afternoon and a Goldfinch was the 1st bird. As we
walked I could hear the distinctive call of the Yellowhammer
(a little bit of bread and no cheese) and there it was standing out
against the green of a bush that it was sat in.  |
| Yellowhammer - Martin Down (Bath Birdwatcher) |
We walked along a bank
sheltered from the wind and luckily with the sun out, here were several Brown Argus butterflies and a Holly Blue, plus Small
Heath and Small Copper that we had
seen earlier. Glen then found 2 small pieced of tin lying on the ground and
picking up the 1st a Common Lizard ran
off before must of us could see it, but under the second were 2 Slow Worms that posed nicely for a photo.
 |
| Slow Worm - Martin Down (Bath Birdwatcher) |
On a
grass bank Glen pointed out 2 Burnt Orchid plants.  |
Burnt Orchid - Martin Down
(Bath Birdwatcher) |
2 Stonechats were next as we made our way
back to the car and the final bird here was our one and only Robin of the day. Not a day for large numbers of
birds but some real quality and some lovely butterflies. I’m sure we all
enjoyed the day and most are looking forward to the next outing to London
Wetland Centre, unfortunately I will miss as I’m on holiday. Driving home we
added Pheasant and Starling
to the day’s sightings.
Comments
Post a Comment