A SHRIKE A GREBE AND OTHER FLIGHTY THINGS.

A Red Backed Shrike lured me to Seasalter on Wednesday afternoon and I joined messrs Ashton and Gutsell on the rear bank of the sailing club to watch this amazingly confiding juvenile at work catching crane flies and bees.

RED BACKED SHRIKE

Yesterday I caught up with the Black Necked Grebe in Dover Harbour,in the late morning the light was not good but by 3pm it was much better.

 BLACK NECKED GREBE In the morning light.

 And in the afternoon.

 It has been seen opposite the Gateway flats eastern end.

So what else is about, at Samphire Hoe on tuesday

GOOD MORNING SAMPHIRE HOE

 COMMON WHITETHROAT.

 SPARROWHAWK TAKING FLIGHT.

 COMMON SEAL OFF THE WALL.

 THIS IS DEFINITELY THE LAST WHEATEAR FOR THIS YEAR-UNLESS.........

COME INTO MY PARLOUR SAID THE WASP SPIDER TO THE WALL BROWN.
And on monday on the cliffs-

 SPOT THE RING OUZEL LANGDON HOLE

 WALL BROWNS ON THE WALL OF SOUTH FORELAND LIGHTHOUSE

THIS IS THE THIRD GENERATION OF THE YEAR.

 AUTUMN COMMA BLACKBERRYING.

COMMON BUZZARD

COMMON BUZZARD LANGDON CLIFFS

A TRANQUIL EVENING AT TEMPLE EWELL

 BOCKHILL MONUMENT

WITH HOUSE MARTINS

TO TORQUAY AND BACK

Last weekend we went to Torquay ostensibly to support Dover Athletic ,although they lost 2-0 they put up a good show and deserved a point.Of course a few beers were imbibed plus two currys and obligatory fish and chips made for a good trip away.

 CLOURFUL HANGING BASKETS

 CLOCKTOWER TORQUAY HARBOUR

 A FAVOURITE PUB

 LIGHTHOUSE- BERRY HEAD, BRIXHAM- Is this the shortest lighthouse in the world??Another one ticked off.

 REPLICA OF THE GOLDEN HIND -BRIXHAM

 TORQUAY AT NIGHT

THE HOLE IN THE WALL-Highly commended .

 A PIRATICAL WELCOME

TWO FINE ALES

THE DEVON ARMS-Next door to the HOLE IN THE WALL -live jazz on thursday evening-it was just like Sunday in the Louis.

WAKEY WAKEY

ORTOLAN ALERT

I was about to go into town to get a long overdue haircut when I received a text from Colin Johnson saying he had found an ORTOLAN BUNTING on the field above Fan Bay,quickly postponing the shearing I soon joined him by the rubble pile,the bird had gone missing.Joined by his brother Kevin we searched the stubble in vain and just as we began to move away it popped up in front of us and sat nicely for a short photo shoot.

 I returned after a brief walk down in to Langdon Hole and relocated the bird just as Steve Ray arrived then a yellowhammer flew by calling and the Ortolan followed into the field.

When I got back to the car an item on radio 2 immediately caught my attention viz:-4 prominent french chefs were appealing for the right to serve ORTOLAN BUNTING on their menus on one day of the year as it was a tradition for the French to eat these poor creatures whole as a roasted delicasy.It is said that.diners would often cover their heads to hide from god.
My hair has now met its fate on the barbers floor.
A few other bits from Samphire Hoe yesterday:-

 LITTLE EGRET ON THE ROCKS
 ADONIS BLUE

 GREY HERON

 MEADOW PIPIT -numbers have risen sharply this week.

 CARLINE THISTLE

TEAL an occasional visitor to the pond.