Thursday, 13 August 2020

Wembury Wader Fest

A hot and sticky night preceded a hot and sticky day and despite the overcast conditions I headed out to Wembury for a walk. The skies did eventually clear and it became even more hot and sticky and busier with people but I had an enjoyable walk anyway although I was glad to return home to escape the heat.

It was very misty on arriving at Wembury and I could just about make out The Mewstone offshore in the murk. The sea was flat calm too on the incoming tide and the noise of boat engines carried across the still water from marine craft hidden in the mist.

Along the beach I was pleased to find 6 Ringed Plovers feeding on the seaweed mass, their presence given away by the occasional call as they were remarkably well camoflagued amongst the weed. Even better camoflagued were 4 Dunlin but a Sanderling was much more noticeable, its pale plumage giving its position away.


Ringed Plover

3 Common Sandpipers were roosting on a rock just offshore before noisily flying to the beach shoreline as the rock was covered by the tide. A Turnstone was a nice find out on the rocks too, something of a Wembury rarity these days. 7 Mediterranean Gulls (4 adults, 2 2nd summers and a juvenile) were also roosting on the rocks before flying off towards Plymouth. At Wembury Point 2 Curlew and 3 Whimbrel were roosting with 82 Oystercatcher and 6 Little Egret.

Cirl Bunting, Stonechat, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Kestrel and Peregrine were also seen along the walk and it was interesting to see the Peregrine flying over causing the Dunlin, Sanderling and Ringed Plover to freeze from their feeding activities amongst the seaweed.

Inside the toilet block were 2 Common Plume, a Satin Wave, a Single-dotted Wave and a bedraggled and slightly squashed Drinker which were all caught and released outside.

 Single-dotted Wave

 Satin Wave

 Common Plume

Drinker

A Red Admiral, a Speckled Wood, Small Copper, a Holly Blue, Gatekeeper, Small White, Common Blue, Meadow Brown, Green-veined White and Large White were flitting about, becoming more active as the sun began to appear from behind the clouds, and a Common Lizard, a Helophilus Trivittatus, 3 male Beautiful Demoiselle and a remarkable hairy Greenbottle were also enjoying the hot sunshine.

 Red Admiral

 Large White

 Heliophilus Trivittatus

 Greenbottle

 Greenbottle

Bee Sp. 

A very pleasent walk but I am hoping the hot weather breaks soon, it is just far too hot for me.

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