Trip ReportWarm and sunny but the chilly breeze kept the butterflies away.The walk out to Penn's Weare produced a great many plant species, including Milkwort, Pyramid Orchids and the chance to compare Bird'sfoot Trefoil with the similar Horseshoe Vetch. Overhead a Kestrel appeared to be struggling to keep airborne; the reason soon became apparent - it was carrying a heavy payload in the shape of a large rat. Later we saw a pair of Jackdaws try to steal the Kestrel's meal. A little further on another bird of prey could be heard. The shrill call was similar to the Kestrel's "kee-kee-kee" but louder and deeper. It turned out to be a young Peregrine, calling for its parents to bring it some food. After a while a parent did appear, but we saw no food transferred. Out to sea several Gannets flew past unusually close, but there was no sign of the seal. Walking back, we were accompanied for some of the way by a Hummingbird Hawk-moth, which persisted in landing on the path just in front of us. |
|
© Bob Ford/Nature Portfolio
|
|