Wednesday 15 April 2020

On this day (April 15th)... 2016, 2014 and 2012

No rarities today but April is a great month for Terns passing through Shropshire. Here's an Arctic Tern at Chelmarsh Reservoir in 2016...

Passage Terns are valued in Shropshire, as we seem to miss the main migration routes through the midlands. So it was nice to see an Arctic Tern flying about during my random visit to the reservoir!

Not a lot of variation to offer here - how about a few lazy wingbeats as it came 'relatively' close but never close enough!!



All red bill and nice distinct trailing edge to the (translucent) primaries....





Wingbeats speak louder than words....

Peak arrival for Summer visitors too, here's a showy Yellow Wagtail at Venus Pool in 2014

Whilst Summer visitors are not exactly pouring in, there is at least a steady trickle! My first Yellow Wagtail of the year, a cracking male was as obliging as one could ask for......

For once, the Gulls worked in my favour by flushing it off the mud and onto the grassy bank in front of the hide!






A clean background (the one and only chance)


Full frontal posing.....




Plus the rear view!




In search of insects -  and there were plenty!


Like this Hoverfly.....




Not to mention the odd Crane Fly!


The light was perfect and perhaps my best ever opportunity here?


A wader or two would be nice but I'm off to Devon for a week on the talk trail.....

And a male Common Redstart in 2012...

The smart male Common Redstart is still performing well along the hedgerow in the top field. Patience was rewarded with a few images, he doesn't take kindly to being approached, just sit and wait......







In the last remnants of blossom....



Pick of the bunch, posing nicely



Not a lot happening with the LRPs, one in reflective pose....