WHITLINGHAM: Butterflies but no hirundines

11th April 2012

With Sedge Warbler, Sand Martins and Swallows all seemingly overdue, I was confident of seeing them today, along with one or two other migrants, such as Little Gull.  A walk around the broad failed to provide any new migrants at all.  After the warm period at the start of spring it appears now that if anything migrants are arriving later than usual.  Of the resident birds several Mute Swans, a Coot and a Greylag Goose were all on nests (the latter has chosen a spot close to the path to the birdscreen, which wasn't a good idea).  Mortality seems to be fixed at one gosling per week for the Egyptian Geese, with both broods down to six.  On the slipway the presumed Ross' x Lesser White-front was coming to bread, and a male Gadwall seemed to have developed a close friendship with a male Mallard.

The day was redeemed in part by several butterflies.  Up until this point I had only seen 2 Commas and a Green-veined White, but as I walked down to Trowse a bright Brimstone flew past.  On the meadows a Small White was feeding on dandelions, and along the riverside path at Whitlingham two Speckled Woods flew past.  At the top of the Lime Tree Avenue were a Comma and Small Tortoiseshell, plus a White sp.  My trip ended on a positive note with a Kingfisher flying upriver at Trowse.