Sunday 16 August 2015

16th of August: Icterine Warbler

The last few days have brought a nice selection of migrants to Blakeney Point. Wednesday brought 4 Willow Warblers and 2 Common Whitethroats. Thursday produced 4 Common Redstarts, 3 Whinchats, 7 Wheatears, 2 Pied Flycatchers and this splendid Icterine Warbler.
Icterine Warbler (Richard Porter)

On Friday, Spotted Flytcatcher, Lesser Whitethroat and Black Tern were added to the sightings list. While Saturday brought 2 Little Gulls and a Roseate Tern, these were amongst 600+ Black Headed Gulls and c.40 Common Terns all feeding on a hatch of ants near the Lifeboat House in the evening.
The "hatch" (Sarah Johnson)
 
Moths recorded this week included Garden Tiger, Silver Y, Drinker, Blood Vein, Latticed Heath, Common Wainscot, Saltern Ear, White-line Dart, Archer's Dart, Coast Dart, Large Yellow Underwing, Straw Underwing, Turnip and Mouse Moth.
Mouse Moth inside the Mobile Hide (Sarah)

Other insect sightings this week included this Mining Bee, seen here clearing out its hole in the sand. This wonderful little video clip was captured by Ranger Sarah.
 
Common Seals continue to delight, with around 300 seen on the end of the Point at high tide today. Among them are a small number of this summer's pups.
Common Seal pup on the beach (Ajay Tegala)

The end of the Point is constantly changing. This season we have noticed a small area of saltmarsh forming inside the very end of the spit as well as an increase in vegetation on the shingle...
Saltmarsh forming

Vegetation on the shingly tip of Far Point

We leave you with a very rare sighting made on the Point this morning; a vacuum cleaner!
- Ajay

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