April 1st/Tennyson Down: came upon a
Large Tortoiseshell along the footpath west of the 'quarry' NT car park. Initially very settled affording decent views in the bright sunshine - but seen to fly off, away from and then back past me as it headed up the slopes. A first for me but had been on my radar for some time and they're recorded annually on the Island (albeit small numbers).
April 2nd/SCP/Sea watch (with George H): some variety and numbers (Easterlies/ENE) mainly ducks: another good push of Scoters (403), Gadwall 2 (irregular here), Eider 3 (2m/1f), pintail, teal, c40 S.Tern, Jackdaw 2 (seen way out at sea before arriving over land), steady mipits, white wagtail and swallows in off.
Bee-fly on primrose - Luccombe Down
Haddon's Pits
