Birds and Moths

 of Burnham-on-Sea

2006

11th and 12th October: We have known for a while that Otters are living somewhere within the recording area. But there have now been two very close up sightings in the last two days of these wonderful animals. One of which just walked down the road.

Otter taken through the car windscreen, 12th October.(© P. Gay.)

30th July: There are plenty of dragonflies enjoying the sunshine, but so far none of the rarer species that are appearing throughout the country at the moment have been found here. At Berrow there are Emperor, Black-tailed Skimmer, Common Darter, Ruddy Darter, Migrant Hawker, Southern Hawker, Azure Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly and Green Lestes. 

Green Lestes, Berrow, 30th July 2006

23rd July: The very hot weather recently prompted an afternoon stroll around Brean Down. Here there were plenty of butterflies. We saw at least a hundred male Chalk Hill Blues, Grayling, Common Blue, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Small Heath and Marbled White.

Chalk Hill Blue, Brean Down, 23rd July 2006.

24th June: The Lizard Orchids have nearly finished flowering. I managed to find 137 spikes this year.

Lizard Orchid, Berrow, 24th June 2006.

6th May: These fox cubs were playing in the early morning sunshine on Brean Down.

Fox cubs, Brean Down. 6th May 2006.

25th April: An Orangetip was on the wing in our garden this evening.