Day 15

 Thursday May 9

Despite the mizzle ( thick mist and light drizzle), we went out mid morning.  The causeway to Baleshire island is a few miles north of here. As always, the Lapwings had their wayward bundles of fluff on legs to care for. The first pair had three about a week old. Quite delightful, and completely lacking in discipline, ignoring their parents' calls of alarm.

A Corncrake called from a distance, Snipe abounded, several sitting on fence posts, probably escaping the wet grass. As we returned to the main road, a female Merlin, initially sat on a roadside post, flew fast across the road and away. 

Pam drove part of the way up Committee Road so that I could have my meal in relative peace. Almost immediately, an Arctic Skua crossed our path, flying strongly towards its breeding area. I enjoyed my meal whilst watching a Stonechat fence hopping for its own meal, ending opposite the car. So dark, the photos are silhouettes. Then, a Wheatear made a short appearance. Despite the weather, they have to eat.

We intended to buy a drink at the Dunes van - the camp site eatery. There was a queue and a non- moving one at that. We gave up and drove home. The car came to a sudden halt, a Corncrake was calling, so loudly that it could have been in the car with us. Pam soon spotted it skulking around the edge of an Iris bed. She was able to get a few photos before it melted away.

Late afternoon, 'our' Short-eared Owl made an appearance. Pam rushed from the kitchen to tell me as there was a chance I could see it from my chair.  Waw, it landed on a fence post just the other side of the road, flew to another nearby post and stayed until a motor bike drove past. Pam has photos. I can't use them as my memory stick has disappeared, so I have no means of transfer.

Pam also found two Puss Moths on the wall this morning, the trap wasn't out last night so they were probably left from the night before.