The Butterfly Bush

What, a title that doesn't refer to birds on 'Fleetwood Birder'? I must admit that birds are my passion or obsession as Gail continually reminds me, but I do enjoy all types of flora and fauna. The butterfly bush of course refers to the Ivy I mentioned yesterday, but more of that in a moment.

First of all it's back to the 'obs' at first light this morning. As of recent days I was greeted with 6 oktas hazy cloud and a 15 mph southeasterly wind. Horizontal visibility was pretty poor with a lot of murk out to sea. Still very few grounded birds to report although I did think there were more Wrens, Dunnocks and Blackbirds around this morning; 7, 12 and 9 respectively. The Dunnock count includes three birds flying high and heading south calling.

Vis was less this morning with no Pinkies at all and my count included: 81 Meadow Pipits, Yellow Wagtail, 2 Chaffinch, 61 Linnets, 5 Carrion Crows, 4 Reed Buntings, 4 Starlings, 6 Alba Wags, Tree Sparrow, Rock Pipit, Grey Wagtail and 38 Jackdaws.

I then called at the Mount and headed for the 'butterfly bush'. Even though it was only mid-morning there were 49 Red Admirals, 2 Small Tortoiseshells, 8 Commas and 1 Speckled Wood. There was also two male Migrant Hawkers hunting around the tree tops.  The only migrant bird I had was a calling Goldcrest.

The butterfly bush

Comma

Above and below - Red Admiral using me to 'sun' on

On my way home I called into the cemetery and other than a Chiffchaff and a Siskin going over it was very quiet. It looks like the weather is going to be similar tomorrow, but hopefully we'll get some ringing in on Saturday and Sunday.