I don't know if it was the promise of some passage wader action, a decent seawatch or an urge to check all pine trees on the patch for Crossbills; but I was out on Rathlin again on 27 July. However, given the view of the patch from the ferry, I needn't have bothered...
 |
| The patch is in there somewhere! |
Visibility on the patch was very poor for much of the day, but was just about good enough to tally 16 Dunlin, 10 Ringed Plover, 1 Curlew and a Redshank in Mill Bay. Surprisingly, no waders at all were noted at Ushet Lough.
From Ushet Port an hours seawatch through the gloom was promising - 29 Puffin, 900 Large Auk, 3 Curlew, 7 Dunlin, 1 Teal and a good few Manxies, Fulmars, Kittiwakes and Gannets. But was cut short by the return of the sea-mist.
The sun did appear around Church Bay for a time in the afternoon and plenty of Butterflies (including 3 Red Admirals) and Dragonflies burst into life. So I shall leave you with a few insect images from the day. There's always something to see on Rathlin...
 |
| Common Darter |
 |
| The fungus gnat Sciara hemerobioides apparently! |
 |
Cinnabar moth caterpillars on ragwort
|
 |
| A Ferntastic day was had by all... |
No comments:
Post a Comment