Bee Orchids, Toft Newton Reservoir

 

Hundreds and hundreds of bee orchid spikes now at Toft Newton Reservoir. We have never seen these here before in such great numbers as the previous management just constantly mowed the living crap out of it. Now with the Environment Agency taking it back into their management the mowing is not as strict. A stunning display yesterday and a couple of voicemail messages left to inform the reservoir manager followed up by an email showing location maps around the reservoir. They looked simply stunning...............glad we saw them in all their beauty as the mower went straight over the lot the following day.  Reason.....the EA have to protect the structural integrity of the reservoir banks. As if 100 bee orchid spikes left for a couple of weeks would harm the site.......words fail and tears were not too far away. 

Orchids Galore

 

A few bee orchids at Toft Reservoir today

Common Spotted Orchids at Chambers, looking good in the glaring sun

The pyramidal orchids at Barton are just starting to flower, another week and they will look sensational

and a spike of common broomrape

Alkborough Flats

 

Our weekly stroll down at Alkborough Flats, lots of juv bearded tits busy feeding and a couple of sedge warblers singing away

and a cetti's warbler gave us a glimpse

Bempton Cliffs

Another trip to Bempton which, to be honest, was quite disappointing. The people, oh my goodness, a mid week trip with kids at school and we thought it would be fairly quiet. Wrong ! We were just in the overspill of the overspill and the crowds walking along the cliff tops and on the viewing areas was off the scale. Some viewpoints we could not even get on. It was a nightmare. There were alot more birds on the cliffs than our last visit which was good. But seeing the sea upskittles me a bit and I always get the urge to go on a cruise !! Just a few pics for you to see. 

Fulmar

Lots of gannet action on the cliff tops, but also lots of photographers !

Razorbills

We saw just one puffin on the cliffs, slightly obscured by grasses. There were quite a few here, coming and going, but afraid non landing in view.

and quite a few tree sparrows on the paths

Song Sparrow, Thornwick Bay

A new UK bird for us so a quick sarnie and flask were put together and out the door we went. Not too big a crowd and we were soon standing in a prime spot waiting. Didn't have long to wait before Gary called it and then it was viewable for the next hour (although some of the time it was distant and very obscured). Not bad for a Tuesday morning !

Across the other side of the gully

This takes Karen's UK tally to 440

Hares Everywhere !

 

Hares everywhere this evening with over 20 in the nearby field, boxing and chasing. This one was in the grass, totally oblivious that we were approaching along the path. It was in a world of it's own ! Love these pics x