AUGUST BODIES AT SAMPHIRE HOE

If its Tuesday it must be Samphire Hoe and there`s always something of interest to report and yesterday was no exception:-Migration is underway,birds heading south and insects still arriving from that quarter.

First up were 5 WHEATEARS near the car park when I arrived.

This very colourful COCK  LINNET was on the sea wall.

CLOUDED YELLOW nectaring on RAGWORT.

 HUMMINGBIRD HAWKMOTH

 This amazing insect was found feeding on RED VALERIAN on the beach

 it is a migrant from southern Europe,more arrive in hot summers and can be seen feeding on a variety of garden plants.

So keep your eyes skinned on honeysuckle ,buddleia and other sweet smelling plants and try photographing one yourself.

Another migrant the beautiful PAINTED LADY butterfly.

 A second CLOUDED YELLOW was seen balancing deftly on ROCK SEA LAVENDER

Another migrant butterfly, small numbers have been widely reported along the south coast recently.

 DUNLIN found feeding on the west pond,normally in small flocks,this bird was alone and very confiding.

 It will soon lose the black belly and spend the winter maybe in the UK ,southern Europe or more likely West Africa.

The DUNLIN is only about 20 cm long and is one of our smaller waders.

 2nd generation of WALL BROWN butterflies are on the wing

as are COMMON DARTERS.

A SHIELD BUG.

This young PEREGRINE FALCON was having fun chasing the herring gulls.

 Two RAVENS passed noisily along the clifftop late morning.

 Half a dozen CHIFF CHAFFS were found lurking in the buddleia.

 Two other visitors along the cliff top certainly upset the peregrine family.

 Away from the Hoe an all white WHEATEAR has been hanging around the SBBO recording area for a few days.

What a stunning little bird.