This Great Diving Beetle looked rather lost as it tried to cross the footpath near Parkes Hide and was nearly squashed. This species is one of our largest beetles. They are common and can be found in garden ponds, they are often seen coming to to the surface to replenish an air supply kept under the wings. In the picture below, you can just make out the ridged wing cases, indicating this beetle is a female.
From the viewpoint at Castle Water mid morning, 3 Sand Martin, 2 Chiffchaff, Bearded Tit, Green Sandpiper and Marsh Harrier. On the Beach reserve Wheatear, Peregrine, Sandwich Tern, Mediterranean Gull, Avocet, Golden and Grey Plover, Knot and Brent Geese were the pick of the bunch this morning. 36 Corn Bunting were counted inflight over Lime Kiln Cottage.
A ring ouzel was seen in area around the entrance gate. A Slavonian grebe was reported on the ARC pit. A swallow and six sand martins were seen on the reserve and three Scandinavian rock pipits were spotted near Makepeace hide.
With nesting space in demand at the moment, due to the high water levels, pairs of Black-headed Gulls are quick to take advantage of any opportunity. The bird pictured has bagged the only spot on the island infront of Parkes Hide, (water levels should continue to drop over the coming weeks). Later in the morning there was “pink” Black-headed Gull defending a territory right next to the nest.
Read the rest of this entry »
I’ve finally posted some reports on this blog! At the moment they’re all from St Thomas CoE Primary, Winchelsea, but I hope soon to post contributions from other educators working out of doors.
Go to the menu on the left of this page, then click the link for the blog.
