Out at Last

Tuesday October 25 

Contemplating  the short walk to the car has been anathema - as a result of my fall two weeks ago. I've been housebound for too long. To-day, we drove to Bacton sea front car park, forgetting that it was half term. Still relatively empty, I don't think that it's well known, A dozen cars at the most, a small sprinkling of people and dogs on the beach. A lovely looking day, plenty of sunshine and warm for late Autumn, 18C.

Watching the sea's gentle rollers breaking on the shore is both catharctic and calming. A group of Black-headed and Herring Gulls were the only birds in sight - until Pam noticed some black blobs. Telescope time.We park sdeways on, in the blue badge parking section, deserted apart from us, which enables me to scope from my seat.  The blobs were at least half a dozen smart, winter plumaged Guillemots. There may have been more, I saw 6 up at once. A wave-hugging Red-throated Diver arrowed north and the gulls continued their disruptive, restless short flights and settle routine. 

One of the latter happened whilst I was scoping the area, so I didn't miss the two Grey Phalaropes which must have been down on the water.  They dipped and flew for about a minute in a small area, before re-settling out of view.

We continue to trap moths, diminishing in both number and variety as the year wears on. The southerly air flow has brought good numbers of the lovely Crimson Speckled to southern counties - and Suffolk. 6 were found at Dunwich. I'd love one in our trap.

Image from the internet.

 


Strangely, not a single Red Underwing species this year, nor an Old Lady. Who knows why. 

A few of the recent catch.

Barred Sallow

The Brick

Brown-spot Pinion

Pink=barred Sallow

 

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