Lunch! - Common Tern @ Draycote Water

No explanation needed! I think the fish is a perch.

Common Tern and a Dunlin @ Draycote Water

Adult Common Tern

Really nice to see Common Tern at reasonably close quarters at Draycote Water this morning. Arriving early, I had to wait for the gates to open and an early mist soon cleared. My plan was to walk to Toft and back as my first "full gear" trip for several weeks. It was also my first visit to Draycote for many months and I was intrigued to see the "new" garden patch in Toft!. I had to smile in Toft as the fishermen had arrived and the sound of the boats engines drew my attention back towards Farborough Spit, where they appeared like a scene of the little boats in the film Dunkirk! Apparently, Toft must have been the boat fishermens hot spot because at least nine boats arrived. I'm sure that when they leave the jetty, they are told to head towards any bird watchers!

Adult Common Tern

Juvenile Common Tern

Dunlin

Clouded Yellow Butterfly @ Draycote Water.

Having a quiet walk at Draycote Water this morning, and having just left Bob Hazell, he phoned me to say that he had found a Clouded Yellow Butterfly at the end of Farborough Bank. This migrant, uncommon butterfly is really spectacular and difficult to capture as it constantly led us a merry dance!

Exasperation by Bob!

"Rogues" Gallery, Draycote Water!

Some "candid" images of a few well known characters at Draycote Water this morning! The hunt for the Clouded Yellow Butterfly!

Kath arrives to take charge and direct the proceedings! "What they looking at"!

Bob, exasperated at getting his images!

Did I get it?

Now where did it go?

Francoise enjoying the proceedings!

Spotted Flycatchers

I was unsuccessful yesterday in locating any Spotted Flycatchers in or around Napton on the Hill churchyard but eventually touched base with a group of around eight birds on a private site. The birds were a bit distant, but I was pleased to see them as only my second this year.

Napton on the Hill Churchyard

Red Admiral Butterfly

Still unable to carry my equipment in quantity or distance, I decided to have a look at Napton on the Hill Churchyard. My main hope was Spotted Flycatcher, but as on previous visits, none were found. The well kept churchyard is a place of peace and tranquility and its flower borders provided a variety of butterflies begging to have their pics taken. It was nice to meet up with Tim M and Keith Y for a chat before they both departed to look elsewhere.

Red Admiral Butterfly

Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly

Large White Butterfly

Large & Small White Butterflies