Wheatears and Butterflies Rainham and the ingrebourne Valley

My little old legs did a lot of walking today,  didn't think I was going to get out this week  because our daughter and the grandchildren are staying with us for the week,  but they decided to spend today at (Paradise Park) with friends; Great!      So I did part of the Ingrebourne Valley including Bonnetts and the Ingrebourne hill,  then Ferry Lane and Aveley Bay riverside.  Saw the unfortunate Porpoise Shaun took a photo of,  (the flies are devouring it).  On my rounds I had 1 Wheatear at Bonnetts,  2 at Rainham Aveley bay riverside walk, 10 Clouded Yellow at Bonnetts, 6 at the Ingrebourne, 1 at Ferry Lane and 1 at Aveley CP,  they have certainly shown well this year, it's a pity they don't survive our winter.  "What a glorious day".

juv Wheatear.

Clouded Yellow

Clouded Yellow

Small Tortoiseshell

Small Tortoiseshell

Common Blue

Saturday 10th august 7.30am Bonnetts.

The place is looking good for migrants,  but it was still a bit of a surprise to pick up a Wheatear and a Whinchat.  Managed a couple of (record) shots,   with promise of many more birds to come

My 1st Wheatear of the return

My first Whinchat of the year in the Valley.

Monday 9th august Ingrebourne Valley

Clouded yellow and Painted Lady Butterflies are turning up everywhere at the moment,  not in great numbers but widespread.

2 in the Valley today

And 3 of these beauties.   Such contrasts.

Southend and Two-Tree Island, Tuesday 6th Aug

Bonnie and I had a relaxing day out today starting at Shoebury near the MOD where I had a Clouded Yellow fluttering around the field near the beach,  then on to Southend to the end of the pier and saw quite a few Med Gulls in different phases and a buildup of Turnstones.   We ended up having a nice cup of tea and piece of cake at the homely golf club cafe by Two-Tree Island,  and also found another Painted Lady butterfly,  seems a good year for them.

Mediterranean Gulls

Turnstone

Painted Lady

The Painted Lady Sunday 4th august my Claires Birthday.

Confidently looking again today at the Ingrebourne Valley for the Painted lady,  and sure enough there was one,  on the Buddleia with a myriad of Peacocks and other butterflies.   There it was going up and down at first like a jet propelled Bat, then,   settled down to feed on the buddleia.  Beautiful butterfly.

Jersey Tiger Moth Saturday 3rd August

Did the morning round the fields of Berwick Woods primarily looking for Painted Ladies,  didn't see any among the hoards of Peacocks and others but did come across this stunning Jersey Tiger Moth feeding on buddleia.