Back in Swansea for a bit of coaching for the first time in over a month, so took the opportunity to get a couple of hours sea watch from Tutt Head before work. Despite the stiff NE breeze Gannets and Kittiwakes were passing quite close, both making their first appearance on my GB year list. A single, 2cy Med Gull also joined them onto the year list. After that it was thin pickings but I eventually managed to pull 4 Manxies, and 4 Razorbills to add to the years list. A pair of GC Grebes were just of the rocks - somewhat unusual for the time of year , though the same can't be said of the 5 Common Scoters heading down channel, as I seem to record this species every time I bird from Tutt Head.
The only passage of note were 3 Common Swifts making their way up channel, two keeping a few inches above the waves.
After coaching I called into Pant - y Sais Fen, for yet another search for the mythical Fen Raft Spider Dolemedes planarius. The Fen was rather quiet, though a Cuckoo was calling for a while. I did manage to add Large White, Small Copper and Garden Tiger Moth to the years lep' list. However, and after numerous visits over the past 4-5 years I managed to spy my quarry. A female Fen Raft Spider siting quietly with her legs stretched out over the canal water. As I crept closer to take a photo, off she shot. No worries. I just sat down close to where she had been sitting and waited for her to reappear. It took about 20 minutes, but suddenly there were two legs sticking out of the water. gradually she emerged from under the surface and resumed her fishing pose, allowing me to get some half decent pictures. Tidy.
The only passage of note were 3 Common Swifts making their way up channel, two keeping a few inches above the waves.
After coaching I called into Pant - y Sais Fen, for yet another search for the mythical Fen Raft Spider Dolemedes planarius. The Fen was rather quiet, though a Cuckoo was calling for a while. I did manage to add Large White, Small Copper and Garden Tiger Moth to the years lep' list. However, and after numerous visits over the past 4-5 years I managed to spy my quarry. A female Fen Raft Spider siting quietly with her legs stretched out over the canal water. As I crept closer to take a photo, off she shot. No worries. I just sat down close to where she had been sitting and waited for her to reappear. It took about 20 minutes, but suddenly there were two legs sticking out of the water. gradually she emerged from under the surface and resumed her fishing pose, allowing me to get some half decent pictures. Tidy.
Well done on the Raft Spider.
ReplyDeleteNice shots and well done and has you put it tidy
ReplyDeleteDedication paid off. Great photos.
ReplyDelete