Wednesday 20 April 2022

First Green Hairstreak Swallow and Yellow Wagtail of the Year

 On getting out of the car at Donna Nook, the chill wind struck straight through.  Although sunny with hazy cloud, there was a chill easterly wind off the sea.  While I was gathering my camera equipment Roger turned up and we were soon heading up the lee side of the dunes to the location where we usually find green hairstreak butterflies; one of our smallest and earliest to emerge, although they seem to get earlier every year.  I was pleased to have seen a swallow at Grainthorpe on the way and we soon saw two more.  Once at the spot we were heading for we soon found our first hairstreak; a brilliant, iridescent green.  It was in exactly the same bush as last year; they are certainly incredibly territorial.  We managed to find 3 altogether.  While we were photographing the butterflies, I was pleased to hear a couple of whimbrel on the coastal flood prevention realignment area of the reserve.

On my way home I called in at Covenham Reservoir to try and see yellow wagtails.  It was bitingly cold up on top of the reservoir walls but I was pleased to find 4 together.  They were, however, challenging to get close enough to photograph.  Back down in the milder climate by the car chiffchaff and blackcap were calling and 3 small white, 3 male orange tips and a small tortoiseshell were on the wing.

To view large, please click on an image.

Green Hairstreak
Green Hairstreak
Green Hairstreak
Green Hairstreak
Green Hairstreak
Orange Tip male
Rooks at the nest
Yellow Wagtail
Yellow Wagtail

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