Great Ness Point Seawatch

I had a really excellent 1 hour's seawatch today from Ness Point between 7.40 to 8.40am this morning. The wind was light with a north- easterly breeze and there was also a cloudy start to the day. Avian highlights were plentiful and included a superb Sooty Shearwater that flew north at 7.45am, its distinctive shape stood out, the dark brown plumage and hint of white on the underwing. A Manx Shearwater, showing much more extensive white on the underparts flew south at 8.30 am. A Bonxie or Great Skua spent a lot of the time on the sea only to occasionally fly up and settle on sea, once more. A dark phase Arctic Skua flew south. An incredible tally of 366 Gannets flew north within the hour's duration, half of their number were all dark juvs, many were adults too whilst just 28 flew south, c60 Auks also flew north, and included 1 Guillemot close in on the sea. Divers also flew north 110 north and 5 south,(mostly Red throated, otherwise they were too far out to tell), included 1 Red- throated Diver on the sea. 22 Common Scoter flew north (mostly in parties of 5 and 4), whilst 3 singles flew south, 24 Brent Geese flew north (mostly parties of 4 & 5), in addition 3 singles flew south.

North Norfolk & Ness Point

Visiting North Norfolk specifically Cley Spy, to get a replacement telescope for my ageing Kowa TSN3 where the thread had now completely gone, OFB and I went onto Kelling Wet Meadows and we had great views of the immature Pectoral Sandpiper. It was at the back of meadow, initially asleep between a grassy "knoll" by the edge of the water. It then woke up and fed by the edge. The bird showed the distinct streaked brown breast sharply demarcated from the paler whitish underparts. It had distinctive rufus on the mantle indicating it was an immature bird and white distinct lines on the back and the usual small "Ruff- like" shape with long primaries. We walked around the side where we were a lot closer to the bird, but unfortunately almost looking directly into the sun, rendering photography useless. Back at Ness Point, just after 4.30pm, I met Rob Wil, Andrew E and Paul & Jane F. Almost immediately we saw a fine brown Great Skua or Bonxie flying north just below the horizon. A Grey Wagtail was heard and the others saw it fly in off the sea. Meanwhile out to sea, a total of 10 Gannets (6 adults and 4 juveniles) were going north, singles of adults and juveniles with singles seen on 4 occasions plus a pair (adult and juvenile) and 4 (3 adults and a juvenile). 4 Mediterranean Gulls flying north in a group included 3 adults and 1 2nd winter that settled on the sea. An adult Little Gull was seen to fly and settle on the sea, whilst late on a small flock of 4 adult Little Gulls flew north. Also a flock of 5 Common Scoter flew north (3 males and 2 females). 3 Red- throated Divers flew north, all singles the last one flew past only half way out, with its head stooped below the line of its body. Meanwhile a flock of 300 Starlings amassed by the Gas cylinder and then onto the Ness Point car park area.

Southern Hawker still there!

The female Southern Hawker Dragonfly was still there in the back garden this morning at 8.35am in exactly the same place, perched on the bush by the wildlife pond. She had gone by the time I arrived back from work at 5.20pm today.

Showy Southern Hawker

Whilst resting my foot in the lounge, I noticed a large Hawker Dragonfly flying around the garden and hobbling outside with some difficulty, I spotted the dragonfly nip into some bushes by the wildlife pond at 2.10pm, investigating I was delighted to find a female Southern Hawker Dragonfly perched on one of the lower stems just 3 foot of the ground just left of the wildlife pond. It obviously found this spot to it's liking as the Southern Hawker stayed here until dusk (6.30pm) at least. I managed to get some shots, albeit in a very restricted position (with a sore foot) and in very, very poor light. Seen right at the end of its flight period, I just hope she has been oviposting in the garden pond and there will future generations growing as larvae underneath the water? Whilst taking the pictures, I was forced to use ISO 1600, even with flash! I also noticed this Common Carder Bee showing well on the Runner Bean plant leaf. Thanks to Danny P for the ID!

Samos Day 7 & 8: Last Few Days

On Wednesday 26th September, back at the Honeypot site, 10 Swallows seen flying distantly over the mountain, plus a distant flying male Blue Rock Thrush flew onto a distant wire. By the side of the road by some short grass a Wall Lizard would run out and climb up a grass stem look at me and then run back into the grass. back at Potami Beach, we parked just past the Cafe del Mund and walking though the path way, I saw the 2 Stripe- necked Terrapins on their rock in the middle of the stream again. Meadow Browns and both Lang's ST Blues and LT Blues seen again. The Garden Warbler seen by the tall trees by the stream was joined by a male Blackcap. 6 Willow Emerald Damselflies seen this time by the fence and stream, again showing well. A large black and white moth settling under a leaf proved to be a Jersey Tiger Moth, posed nicely (another new moth species), this is the species seen in their thousands in the erroneously named Valley of the Butterflies on Rhodes! Back on the beach, A large 10 inch Starry Agama perched on the top of a corner of a curved wall and quickly disappeared never to be seen again. Walking along a path between some houses and the RT Pipit field. I suddenly heard a "pphlatt" and it looked like a large green stick had been thrown onto the wall, it wasn't that, it was an impressive Balkan Green Lizard, a big Lizard, at least a foot long, very green and they were always appear abruptly out of nowhere, reminding me of Cato (hilariously played by Burt Kwourk in the brilliantly funny Inspector Clouseau films) suddenly appearing and attacking the hapless Clouseau (superbly played by Peter Sellers, it cracks me up every time!) the Balkan Green Lizard (NOT Cato!) quickly ran along the wall away from and leapt into a back garden. Also here were 2 mating Rock Graylings the back of the wings touching they would land briefly before flying again further along the path, garden or the field. Over a large Conifer wood, an Eleonora's Falcon flew by plus a large accipter that proved to be a Goshawk. Back at Potaki Beach on the final evening, the male Red- backed Shrike showed well again on the wires and the fence and after it flew of its own volition, to hunt in a different area (where I skilfully managed to get my big Chevrolet American hire car stuck, the right back wheel on a foot tall mound of sand and the left back wheel on a foot dip pit). Trying the gears only spewed up sand. Fortunately however, I had noted a foot square patch of carpet and placing it behind the left wheel provided enough traction for the wheels to reverse and free! We also saw the Shrike very briefly, very close feeding in some vegetation by the side of the road, it chose to perch on a fence running parallel to the road just 4 feet away, amazingly close just as luck would have it a car passed scaring it off, just I was about to get the shot, typical! By the Harbour, 2 YL Herring Gulls seen, one on the dock then joined one on the sea, plus 2 Hooded Crows distantly on the harbour wall. The weird beastie was outside the front door again with its probiscus was sucking the juices out of poor unfortunate leafbug upturned on its back. Later checking proved the predator to be the appropriately named Red Assassin bug (Rhinocoris iracundus) Walking into Pythagorian in the dark, 3, 6 inch long Cylinder Millipedes seen, one on a wall and 2 on the pavement. Plus, just past the lakes by the grassy area, 3 excellent Brown Preying Mantis, "Mantis religiosa" seen hunting for insects on the pavement. As usual, really tricky to photograph especially in the dark, just lit by the street light and when I was lying flat on the pavement to get some pics I had a concerned lady cyclist ask me if I was alright! Final morning, Thursday 27th September, a quick visit by the grassy field with the horse in it. A Fan- tailed Warbler seen by a reedy/ scrubby area and flew away, 3 Collared Doves (this species seen everywhere), 4 Crested Larks in the field, plus by the man made Lake, 2 White Wagtails fed. Also seen during the holiday about 4 Nosed Grasshoppers, always odd looking creatues, in grassy areas and many c30 Red- winged Grasshoppers. By the weedy area, 2 Whinchats flew away and perched on the fence. Finally, 2 Hooded Crows seen. I promise to post some pics soon & I hope to post back again in the UK but I currently suffering from a foot infection and can barely walk!

Samos Day 5 & 6: Up in the Mountains & on the Beach!

On Monday 24th September, Parking up in the Mountains, just 1 and a half kilometers past Pyrgos, as we drove up a Raven flew right over the road, I parked by the "Pure Honey" stall and had a spectacular view over the mountain valley, a male Blue Rock Thrush, showed a flash of metallic blue as it flew across the road and perched on a pole opposite. 2 excellent Steppe Buzzards, my first since my Israel trip in the 1990's flew over the mountain, with a pale head and striking and contasting black carpal patches and white inner webs to the primaries with a black band at the base of a rusty tale. 3 single very elegant Eleonora's Falcons flew over the mountain or behind me, with typically long sleek wings and long tail. 1 male Red- backed Shrike was also seen here in the valley perched on top a bush. A visit to Potami Beach, Jenny was swimming again, I checked the local Blackberry bush by the road, which included a host of butterflies including the usual Lang's Short- tailed Blues, Long- tailed Blues plus a pale buff Skipper which would fly to a section of the bush settles for just 3 seconds and then repeat the procedure, it was a Millet Skipper, yet another new Butterfly species! I then walked along the beach found the end of a watery dyke area which ended abruptly on the beach. walking past some houses and a small enclosed field, an excellent Red- throated Pipit flew up calling a shrill metallic "psstt" and then was seen briefly by the dyke area by the beach. By some Tamarisk bushes I walked inland of the beach by some small allotments butting a stream, this was a very productive area given the time of year and in a back garden I saw and heard a Garden Warbler singing brief snatches of song. I also heard only the shrill calls of a Kingfisher and a Grey Wagtail. Another Plain Tiger seen here, plus more all too brief Scarce Swallowtail and Swallowtail butterflies flying left along the beach. By the bushes by the fence, several c10 Willow Emerald Damselflies were seen. Plus some a Brown, a Rock Grayling type and a fantastic Lattice Brown (another new butterfly species!) settled and posed on the fence for the camera! walking up the stream, 2 sudden plops eventually revealed 2 Stripe- necked Terrapins that crawled back up onto a triangular rock protruding out of the water. Later Jenny & I walked up to the source of the water by a waterfall, another Samos Grayling seen here plus by a Chapel, a possible Roesel's Bush Cricket was seen and photo'd (I'll check the ID) plus a easily identified Grey Wagtail feeding by the stream and flying up the stream. From here, we all stripped down to swimming trunks/ swimsuits and had a great time wading through the clear cool mountain water chest high through an open cavern to see the waterfall 80 yards away, British, Greek & German nationalities, all entered into the spirit and it was a fun thing to do and very cooling too after the high 30's degrees celsius temperatures on the beach. On Tuesday 25th September, at Pythagorian car park but a concrete tunnel area, I saw my very first Starry Agama, a Lizard with a jowly face, seen on the edge here on the grass and eventually scuttled into the tunnel. Further along by a wall (with a door sized gap in the middle) by the beach another Starry Agama seen on the right hand side. By the rough grass area just inland of here butterflies seen included my first Painted Lady of the year, very briefly, Mallow Skipper again and the usual Lang's ST & LT Blues. A stop by a Fig tree revealed another Millet Skipper, plus 2 Crested Larks. At Herarian archaeological site, we parked the car in front of some wires where 30 Swallows had assembled prior to their southward migration. By another wire, a Spotted Flycatcher perched plus a Whinchat nearby. Within the Herarian itself, 8 Plain Tigers seen flying around, 3 Spotted Flycatchers on various fence wires plus a female and a very close male Red- backed Shrike (but frustratingly, totally against the strong sunlight) A Common Buzzard flew by left inland, Back at Potaki beach in the early evening I managed to photograph the reasonably obliging male Red- backed Shrike on overhead wires and a fence. By the Roman temple, the sharp- eyed Jenny spotted an excellent large foot long Starry Agama perched on the very top of some stones, after playing cat and mouse for half an hour I managed some shots of this beast, another 10 inch Starry Agama crawled along by the base of a column, whilst smaller Starry agama, one 4 inches long near the original site plus one Starry Agama 7 inches long and another 4 incher diagonally opposite. 7 Starry Agamas seen in total all on very hot sun exposed stones basking in the sun, but sensitive to disturbance! A weird beastie seen by the wall outside our front door was phot'd for future ID. A walk into the town during twilight revealed a Little Owl on a telegraph post right on the edge of town!

Samos Day 3 & 4, an excursion to Ephesus, Turkey

On Saturday 22nd September, a visit to the Archaelogical site near Pythagorian revealed several butterflies including Blues, Lang's Short- tailed Blue and Southern Meadow Brown. At the Ampitheatre half way up the mountain overlooking Pythagorian, a spectacular view from up here amongst the restored wooden seating area a couple of Samos Grayling types (? I think) flew about and eventually gave themselves up to the camera. There was no doubt however about the birds, a Red- rumped Swallow flew past and a superb Long- legged Buzzard was mobbed by a female Red- footed Falcon. At Kokari beach layby, I stopped suddenly as I saw a mystery bright orange butterfly that recalled a small Monarch, it wasn't that but when I got home the photo's proved it was a Plain Tiger, another new butterfly species, it flew around settled for seconds and then it was off flying down the road and out of sight despite me going in hot pursuit after it. A Raven flew past here. Also here were a Lang's Short- tailed Blue and a magnificent Scarce Swallowtail that put in an all too brief appearance. back in the afternoon, at Potaki Beach, 2 Bee- eater flew off the wires and south. A female Marsh harrier quartered the marsh type habitat at the end, 1 Flava Wagtail was on the road by the Army medical camp, where I dare not stop! Whilst several Spotted Darters, 3 females and 1 male seen also. Finally, 2 male Red- backed Shrike, including 1 reasonably obliging individual perched on vegetation in a field overhead wires and a nearby fence, definately worth putting some time in to get some shots (photo) of this bird, me thinks! Saturday night, and a very pleasant stroll down to Pythagorian for Jenny & I in the fading light for an evening meal at the excellent Aphrodite garden restaurant (Greek food is a favourite of mine, especially Mousakka and Chicken Souvlaki!) revealed 3 Little Owls singles perched on a tree, a post and finally a telegraph pole, 2 of their number were calling. Very sadly, a Bush Cricket was stuck to the path on the walk back as someone had inadvertently trodden on the rear of its abdomen on the walk back (ID to follow as I have a pic) plus a buzzing Cicada by the side of the road, quickly crept underneath the kerb nearby. On Sunday 23rd September, a quick check of the local pool only revealed 1 Little Egret and a Grey Heron. On the Boat trip to Turkey, taken from samos town, I saw 2 individual Mediterranean Shags, 2 were seen perched on the end of the rock on the way back. On the way out, several YL Herring Gulls seen plus near Turkey, 2 large Shearwaters which showed more extensive white on the inner edge of the underparts of the primaries proved to be absolutely superb 2 Scopoli's Shearwaters, given the geography, flew (only my second ever sighting of this species), past the boat, at reasonably close quarters. In Turkey itself, 30 House Martin seen flying over an arable field, 3 Swallow and most memorably on the journey back from the magnificent Ephesus ancient Site to Kusadasi, a superb Black Stork flew right over some fields near a wooded slope.