A slow start

The Safari spent much of the day vis migging. We started with a look at yesterday's Garden Cross Spider that was sitting in the centre of its web this morning.

Our usual bald Blackbird was one of only two seen all day!

And during our morning stint a Magpie dropped by.

The vissing got off to a very slow start with only two Meadow Pipits in the first two hours and nothing at all on the feeders during that time!

08.00 - 11.00/12.00 - 15.00

15C - 20C

Wind 10mph E

Cloud 6-7  low then breaking and rising after lunch

All south unless stated otherwise

Meadow Pipit 44 - largest flock 5, cf yesterday l/f 14

Jackdaw local?

Swallow 5

Buzzard N, a few minutes later gull commotion indicated a raptor moving south but we didn't get on to it. + 2 others to the north - could have been same.

Pink Footed Goose 24 one skein

Great Black Back Gull NE good record for Patch 1 which we aren't collating this year, too far away for a garden tick.

Sparrowhawk local female seen twice, male at height directly S

Grey Wagtail 3 S, 1 N later

'alba' Wagtail 2S together

 

A Greenfinch came to the feeders and stayed there munching away for over 20 minutes, a hungry migrant? Only one other seen all day - where are they?

One of the local Robins we hear ticking away in the early morning has discovered the free scram too.

The warmth of the afternoon had butterflies on the wing with a couple of Peacocks, a Speckled Wood, two Small Whites one of which landed on the washing line

A Green Veined White nearly took our head off as it fluttered by but best  by far was a real Base Camp rarity Small Copper which also stopped for a warm

Wrangling the tripod/camera combo round from feeder angle to yard angle to get the butter shots was seriously tricky but we're very glad we managed it!
Still plenty of hoverflies about and we had regular visits to the remaining few flowers from Common Carder Bees and a single Tree Bee.
Where to next? More of the same tomorrow, hopefully with a bit more action early on.
In meantime let us know what provided the rare treat in your outback.