Dragons in the air and Dragons at our feet

In Dorset at the moment leading the ‘Birds and Wildlife of the Jurassic Coast’ Tour.

This Wall Lizard was caught unawares as it ran out from underneath our feet; posing beautifully for photographs. Other dragons have been flying around us as we walked over the heaths with great views of Keeled Skimmers among many others.

Lots of butterflies, and I mean lots; including Lulworth Skippers. Orchids are having a good year here with Musk Orchid being at the top of our list on the tour for sure. Moths yesterday were seen in droves with good views of both large and small Elephant Hawkmoths, Privet Hawkmoth, Hummingbird Hawkmoths with Scarlet and Jersey Tigers putting in an appearance. Even the sea got in on the act and gave us a pod of 30 Bottlenose Dolphins to celebrate our arrival.

Birds haven’t disappointed either with Dartford Warblers and an evening visit to a local heath giving great views of five Nightjar around us in the air together.

Next years tour is already open for bookings. Full itinerary is available at https://www.wildlifetoursandeducation.co.uk/app/download/11123950/Itinerary+-+Birds++Wildlife+of+the+Jurassic+Coast+2020.pdf.

 

WTE

One of the reasons I take a tour to Mull each year is to see the amazing wildlife that resides and returns there. The eagles are understandably a big draw; and most people get a kick out of seeing them. They are undoubtedly magnificent beasts. We had five sightings of White tailed Eagles including this one.

Darting about

A tour a couple of weeks ago took to the marshes. The forecast wasn’t good but as usual Norfolk came good with a little sunshine. Out of nowhere our target appeared … sooner than I expected.

Black Darters are not common in Norfolk but we managed to find half a dozen plus a few other dragons and butterflies.

Amid a cauldron of Mountains

Driving down to the south of Mull on our second tour to the western Isle this spring the mist was hanging over the peaks. The mountains surrounded us. We were driving through a cauldron of rock and scree that rose imposingly from the undulating valley bottom. It was just after the second time of asking my guests to keep an eye open for raptors that the shout went up.

I pulled in and immediately saw two large birds of prey. It didn’t take long to put a label on them as our second and third Golden Eagles of the trip. We were delighted when one bird started to sky dive and display to the other. Impressive birds these; the kings of raptors. We spent a good ten minutes watching the birds before the rosettes of Common Butterwort that surrounded us took our attention and the birds disappeared behind distant crags.

It’s wild

I’m told it’s even rarer than the Early Spider Orchids we saw the other day. Beautiful foliage of a deep blue green; yellow flowers that came straight from a Van Gough palette fashioned into tubes of intricate design … and someone named it Wild Cabbage!

 

Auk in the dark

Reports came in from further west that there was an auk swimming our way. I looked up the beach and sure enough we could see a small auk just offshore. It was repeatedly diving and spending only short periods on the surface but it was possible to see it was a Little Auk.

We walked up the beach towards it. It was getting late into the day and the light would soon go. I wanted to photograph it while I still could. The Little Auk was obviously feeling the end of the day was imminent too as it stopped feeding and started to preen just the other side of the breakers. If only it had chosen to do this earlier, when the sun was out.