Gramborough Hill

MeadowPipit270418-1

The Meadow Pipits love the fence line at Gramborough Hill and will often pose for a shot or two.
The light was poor this morning this morning and the second shot is a little more fuzzy but there are such crisp creatures, just couldn't resist adding this one too.
A Wheatear was also present this morning but not so obliging.
No sign of Stonechat this morning though. But one singing Reed Bunting.

MeadowPipit270418-2

The Sand Martins were very busy cleaning out their nest holes.
Then a high piping call calls them all to the air and away they rush.
To return a while later and busy again.
Lots of irritating black flies.
Good for the Sand Martins but annoying for us poor mortals.

SandMartin260418-1

SandMartin260418-2

SandMartin260418-3

SandMartin260418-4

SandMartin260418-5

SandMartin260418-6

SandMartin260418-7

SandMartin260418-8

SandMartin260418-10

There was a House Martin this morning trying to join in but not long enough for a photo.



Comments

Alderford Common

Bluebell260418-2

Bluebell260418-1

Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta)

Hoverfly260418-1

A female White-legged Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus)

Photos from Stephen Falk for comparison

JewsEar260418-1

Wood Ear (Auricularia auricula-judae)

GarlicMustard260418-1

GarlicMustard260418-2

Garlic Mustard (Allaria petiolata) There's something extremely satisfying about the layered leaves of this plant rising to a crescendo.

YellowArchangel260418-2

YellowArchangel260418-3

YellowArchangel260418-4

?

YellowArchangel260418-5

YellowArchangel260418-6

Yellow Archangel (Lamium galeobdolon) Golden globes become domed sunshades.

Comments

Cley

ReedBuntingCley250418-1

A superb Male Reed Bunting in the elders. (Emberiza schoeniclus)

LapwingCLey250418-1

Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)

AvocetCley250418-1


AvocetCley250418-2

AvocetCley250418-4

Avocet (Recurvirostra avocetta)

BlackTailedGodwitCley250418-1

Black Tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa)

Godwit&KnotCley250418-1

Godwit&KnotCley250418-2

Godwit&KnotCley250418-3

Godwit&KnotCley250418-4

Godwit&KnotCley250418-5

Godwit&KnotCley250418-6

Godwit&KnotCley250418-8

A mixed flock of Bar Tailed Godwit, Black Tailed Godwit and Knot

OystercatcherCLey250418-1

Oystercatcher with an eye to the sky. (Haematopus ostralegus)

SnipeCLey250418-1

Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)

RedshankCley250418-1

Redshank (Tringa totanus)

A Great White Egret being harried by the Avocets.
But the eyes have it.
Who'd be a frog.

GreatWhiteEgret250418-1

GreatWhiteEgret250418-2

GreatWhiteEgret250418-3

GreatWhiteEgret250418-4

Just couldn't get the whole Avocet in the frame.

GreatWhiteEgret250418-5

GreatWhiteEgret250418-6

Lost the feet.

GreatWhiteEgret250418-8

GreatWhiteEgret250418-9

GreatWhiteEgret250418-10

That neck is just sooo long…. The birds just soooo thin…… The plumage is just soooo white……..

GreatWhiteEgret250418-11

GreatWhiteEgret250418-12

GreatWhiteEgret250418-13

GreatWhiteEgret250418-15

GreatWhiteEgret250418-16a

Great White Egret on take off. Stunning…… (Ardea alba)














Comments

Hanworth

HanworthEarlyPurple240318-1

Early Purple Orchid (Orchis mascula)
Not quite out on our roadside reserve.

Comments

Asklipiio - Laerma Rd - Rhodes

I have never been to the Mediterranean in springtime.
This was an amazing Spring Festival of so many things I have never seen before.
Many of the plants were identified afterwards
or
not
Sitting quietly in various corners of fields and hillsides
trying to take it all in.

Please forgive any misidentifications or lack of precision
the photographer in me took over.

Asklipiio-LaermaRd0418-1

Asklipiio-LaermaRd0418-3

Asklipiio-LaermaRd0418-4

Asklipiio-LaermaRdOphrysregis-fernandii0418-3

Ophrys regis-ferdinandii

Asklipiio-LaermaRdOphrysscolopax0418-2

Woodcock Bee orchid (Ophrys scolopax)

Asklippio-LaermaRdAnchusaazurea0418-1

Large Blue Alkanet (Anchusa azurea)

Asklippio-LaermaRdArmenianGrapeHyacinth0418-1

Armenian Grape Hyacinth (Mascara armeniacum)

Asklippio-LaermaRdBellardia0418-1

Bellardia (Bellardia triago)

Asklippio-LaermaRdBlueGromwell0418-1

Scarlet Pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis)

Asklippio-LaermaRdCornSalad0418-3

Asklippio-LaermaRdCornSalad0418-2

Asklippio-LaermaRdCornSalad0418-1

Corn Salad (Valerianella vesicaria)

Asklippio-LaermaRdCrownVetch0418-1

Asklippio-LaermaRdDaisy0418-1

Asklippio-LaermaRdLong-beakedStrok'sBill0418-1

Asklippio-LaermaRdMedicagoSp0418-1

Asklippio-LaermaRdOphryssicula0481-1

Asklippio-LaermaRdOphryssicula0481-1

Asklippio-LaermaRdOphryssicula0481-2

Asklippio-LaermaRdOphryssicula0481-4

Asklippio-LaermaRdOphryssicula0481-5

Ophrys sicula

Asklippio-LaermaRdParentucellialatifolia0418-2

Parentucellia latifolia

Asklippio-LaermaRdSage0418-2

Sage

Asklippio-LaermaRdSerapiascarnica0418-1

Serapias carica

Asklippio-LaermaRdSerapiasparviflora0418-4

Serapias parviflora

Asklippio-LaermaRdShieldBug0418-2

Asklippio-LaermaRdShieldCricket0418-1

Asklippio-LaermaRdSPit0418-1

Asklippio-LaermaRdTrifoiumstellatum0418-1

Trifoium stellatum

Asklippio-LaermaRdTrifoliumarvense0418-1

Hop Trefoil (Trifolium campestre)

Asklippio-LaermaRdUnknownOrchid0418-1

The Unkown Orchid

Asklippio-LaermaRdViciahybrida0418-1

Hairy Yellow Vetchling (Vicia Hybrida)

Asklippio-LaermaRdYellowBartsia0481-1

Yellow Bartsia (Parentucellia viscosa)

Comments

Masari Rd - Rhodes

MasariRd0418-1

MasariRd0418-2

MasariRd0418-3

MasariRd0418-4

MasariRdAllium0418-1

Allium Sp?

MasariRdBrome0418-1

?

MasariRdCentaury0418-1

Common Centaury (Centarium erythraea)

MasariRdDracunculus0418-1

MasariRdDracunculus0418-2

MasariRdDracunculus0418-3

MasariRdDracunculus0418-4

Common Dragon Arum (Dracunculus vulgaris)

MasariRdGrass0418-1

?

MasariRdLagoeciacuminoides0418-1

Lagoecia (Lagoecia cuminoides)

MasariRdMulberry0418-1

MasariRdMulberry0418-2

Mulberry Sp (Morus Sp)

MasariRdScorzonersSp0418-1

MasariRdScorzonersSp0418-2

Scorzonera Sp

MasariRdTordylium0418-3

MasariRdTordylium0418-2

MasariRdTordylium0418-4

Tordylium (Tordylium asylum)

MasariRdTrifoliumcampestre0418-1

Hop Trefoil (Trifolium campestre)

MasariRdTrifoliumstellatum0418-1

Trifofium stellatum

Comments

Moni Kamirou - Rhodes

MoniKamirou0418-1

MoniKamirouMuscari0418-1

Armenian Grape Hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum)

MoniKamirouNeatostemaapulum0418-1

Neatostema apulum

MoniKamirouSerapiasCarica0418-1

Serapias carica

MoniKamirouFieldGladiolus0418-1

MoniKamirouFieldGladiolus0418-2

MoniKamirouFieldGladiolus0418-3

MoniKamirouFieldGladiolus0418-4

Field Gladiolus (Gladiolus italicus)

Comments

Monolithos - Rhodes

MonolithosAnacaptispyramidalis0418-1

Pyramidal Orchid ( Anacamptis pyramidalis)

MonolithosBigPea0418-1

Narbonne Vetch (Vicia narbonensis)

MonolithosConvolvulus-2

MonolithosConvolvulus0418-1

MonolithosConvolvulus0418-2

Mallow-leaved Bindweed (Convolulus althaeoides)

MonolithosGeranium0481-1

MonolithosGeranium0481-2

Erodium Sp

MonolithosGynandririssisyrynchium0418-1

Barbary Nut (Gynandriris sisyrinchium)

MonolithosHairyVetch0418-1

Hairy Vetch (Vicia villosa)

MonolithosMalvasylvestris-1

High Mallow (Malva sylvestris)

MonolithosMuscaricomosum0418-1

Tassel Grape Hyacinth (Muscari comosum - Leopoldia comosa)

MonolithosOrnithogallum0418-1

Ornithogalum narbonense

MonolithosPistacealentiscus0418-1

MonolithosPistacealentiscus0418-2

Pistacea lentiscus

Monolithospurple0418-1

Astragalus spruneri

MonolithosPurpleGoat'sBeard0418-1

MonolithosPurpleGoat'sBeard0418-2

MonolithosPurpleGoat'sBeard0418-4

Purple Goat's Beard (Tragopogon hybridum)

MonolithosScrophularia0418-1

MonolithosScrophularia0418-2

Scrophularia lucida

MonolithosUrtica0418-1

MonolithosUrtica0418-2

MonolithosUrtica0418-4

MonolithosUrtica0418-5

MonolithosUrtica0418-6

Roman Nettle (Utica pilulifera)

MonolithosYellowBartsia0418-2

MonolithosYellowBartsia0418-1

Yellow Bartsia (Parentucella viscosa)

Comments

Acacia - Rhodes

PIBlue-leavedWattle0418-2

PIBlue-leavedWattle0418-4

PI0418-14

PI0418-13

Blue-leaved Wattle (Acacia cyanophylla)

Comments

Insects & Arachnids - Rhodes

But the best was the drone of bees in the woods.

Second the crickets in their hundreds in some fields.

PIAnt0418-1

Lalisou-KataviasAnt0418-1

Lalisou-KataviasAnt0418-2

Lalisou-KataviasAnt0418-3

Fearsome guards.

MonolithosSpiderBee0418-1

Now that's dinner!

MonolithosSpiderBee0418-2

PIBeeFly0418-1

PIBeetle-0418-1

PIBeetlePoppy0418-1

PIBeetlePoppy0418-2

PICraneFly0418-1-1

Emerald green eyes

PICricket0418-1


PICricket0418-3

PICricket0418-4

PICricket0418-5

PICricket0418-6

PISpider-0418-1

PISpider-0418-2

PISpiderlings0418-3

PISpiderlings0418-1

PISpiderlings0418-2

CommonBlue0418-1

CommonBlue0418-2

CommonBlue0418-3

CommonBlue0418-4

Common Blue

LachaniaSwallowtail0418-1

LachaniaSwallowtail0418-3

LachaniaSwallowtail0418-4

LachaniaSwallowtail0418-5

LachaniaSwallowtail0418-6

Swallowtail

PIEasternFestoon0418-1

PIEasternFestoon0418-2

PIEasternFestoon0418-3

PIEasternFestoon0418-4

Eastern Festoon

PISmallCopper0418-1

Small Copper

PILargewallBrown04128-1

PILargeWallBrown0418-2

Large Wall Brown

MasariRdBeetle0418-1

MasariRdBeetle20418-1

MasariRdBeetle30418-1

MasariRdBeetle30418-2

MasariRdButterfly0418-2

MasariRdButterfly0418-3

MasariRdCricecket0418-7

MasariRdCricket0418-2

MasariRdCricket0418-3

MasariRdCricket0418-4

MasariRdCricket0418-5

MasariRdCricket0418-6


Comments

Valley of the Butterflies - Rhodes

Valleyofthebutterflies0418-1

Valleyofthebutterflies0418-2

ValleyofButtefliesMaple0418-1

ValleyofButterfliesMaple0418-2

ValleyofButterfliesMaple0418-3

Acer granatense

ValleyofButterfliesFern0418-1

ValleyofButterfliesFern0418-1a

Maidenhair Fern ( Adiantum capillus-veneris)

ValleyofButterfliesGreen0418-1

ValleyofButterfliesGreen0418-2

Selaginella denticulata

Comments

Bejewelled Woodland

Spring Cyclamen Bejewelled the Pine Woods

PIWoods0418-1

PIWoods0418-2

PIWoods0418-3

PICyclamenrhodium0418-1

Cyclamen

Comments

Encounter with dragons - Profitas Ilias - Rhodes

PIStellagmastellio0418-6

Perfect camouflage

PIStellagmastellio0418-3

PIStellagmastellio0418-2

PIStellagmastellio0418-4

and
then
Big Brother
hove into
view.

PIStellagmastellio0418-5

PIStellagmastellio0418-1

Starred Agama ( Stellagama stellio)

PILacertaoertzeni0418-1

PILacertaoertzeni0418-2

Rock Lizard (Lacerta oertzeni)

Comments

Profitas Ilias - Rhodes

PIHaylingIslandPink0418-1

PIHaylingIslandPink0418-2

Kohlrauschia (Kohlrauschia veltina)

PIHenbitDeadnettle0418-1

PIHenbitDeadnettle0418-2

Henbit Deadnettle (Lamium amplexicaule)

PIHoaryRockrose0418-1

Cistus Sp

PIJerseyToadflax0418-1

Jersey Toadflax (Linaria pelisseriana)

PILavandulastoechas0418-1

PILavandulastoechas0418-2

PILavandulastoechas0418-3

French Lavender (Lavendula stoechas)

PIMediterraneanHartwort0418-1

Tordylium (Tordylium apulum)

PIMoss0418-1

Moss Sp

PINarrow-leavedBugloss0418-1

Narrow Leaved Bugloss (Echium angustifolium)

PIOrnithogalumumbellatum0418-1

PIOrnithogalumumbellatum0418-2

Ornithogallum Sp

PIOrobanchecernua0418-1

PIOrobanchecernua0418-2

Orobanche cernua

PIOrobanchecrenata0418-1

Orobanche crenata

PIOx-eyeDaisy0418-1

Ox Eye Daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum)

PIParentucellialatifolia0418-1

PIParentucellialatifolia0418-2

Parentucellia latifolia

PIPea0418-1

Lotus Sp

PIPlantainSp0418-2

PIPlantainSp0418-3

Plantain Sp

PIPoppy0418-1

Poppy (Papaver rhoeas)

PIQuercus0418-1

PIQuercus0418-2

Kermes Oak (Quercus coccifera)

PIRockrose0418-1

Cistus

PISeedhead0418-1

?

PISeedhead0418-2

Trifolium stellatum

PISilenebehen0418-1

PISilenebehen0418-2

Silene benen

PIStrange0418-1

PIStrange0418-2

?

PIStrange20418-1

PIStrange20418-2

?

PITrifoliumcampestre0418-2

Hop Trefoil (Trifolium campestre)

PITrifoliumstellatum0418-1

PITrifoliumstellatum0418-2

Trifolium stellatum

PITrifoliumuniflorum0418-1

PITrifoliumuniflorum0418-2

Trifolium uniform

PIYellow0418-1

Yellow Bartsia (

Comments

Profita Ilias - Rhodes

PIAnchusahumulis0418-1

PIAnchusahumulis0418-2

Anchusa humilis

PIAnchusaSp0418-1

Anchusa undulata

PIAnemone0418-1

PIAnemonecoronaria0418-1

Crown Anemone (Anemone coronaria)

PIAnemoneblanda0418-1

Blue Anemone (Anemone apeninna)

PIBermudaButtercup0418-1

PIBermudaButtercup0418-2

Bermuda Buttercup (Oxalis pes-caprae)

PIBiscutelladidyma0418-1

PIBiscutelladidyma0418-2

PIBiscutelladidyma0418-3

Biscutella didyma

PIBlueGromwell0418-2

Shrubby Pimpernel (Anagallis monelli)

PIBlueHound's-tongue0418-1

PIBlueHound's-tongue0418-2

Blue Hound's Tongue (Cynoglossum creticum)

PIBrizamaxima0418-1

PIBrizamaxima0418-2

Large Quaking Grass (Briza maxima)

PICistus0418-1

Cistus

PICornSalad0418-1

Cornsalad

PIEchium0418-2

PIEuphorbiahelioscopia0418-1

PIEuphorbiahelioscopia0418-2

Euphorbia helioscopia

PIFriar'sCowl0418-1

PIFriar'sCowl0418-2

Friar's Cowl (Arisarum vulgar)

PIGageagraeca0418-1

PIGageagraeca0418-2

Gagea graeca

Comments

Near Lindos - Rhodes

GRBee-eater0418-1

GRLinumperenne0418-1

GRPlanetree0418-1

GRSpineyGlobeThistle0418-1

GRSpineyGlobeThistle0418-2

GRSpineyGlobeThistle0418-3

Comments

A small gorge near Siana - Rhodes

A small gorge near Siana seemed a likely place for Crag Martins.

Indeed there were.

Bit also one or two plants, one of which was rather spectacular.

MtAGorge0418-1

MtAGorge0418-2

MtAGorge0418-3

MtAGorge0418-4

Greek Spiny Spurge

MtAGorge0418-5

MtAGreekSpinySpurge0418-1

MtAGreekSpinySpurge0418-2

MtAGreekSpinySpurge0418-3

Greek Spiny Spurge (Euphorbia acanthothamnos)

MtANettle-leavedBellflower0418-1

MtANettle-leavedBellflower0418-2

Nettle-leaved Bellflower (Campanula trachelium)

MtASeadhead0418-1

MtASeadhead0418-2

Mediterranean Hartwort (Tordylium apulum) seedbeds.

MtASucculent0418-1

MtACorncockle0418-1

MtACorncockle0418-2

MtACorncockle0418-3

Corncockle (Agrostemma githago)

MtACentaurealactucifolia0418-1

MtACentaurealactucifolia0418-2

MtACentaurealactucifolia0418-3

Centaurea lactucifolia

Comments

A few birds from Rhodes

LindosHouseSparrow0418-2

LindosHouseSparrow0418-1

LindosHouseSparrow0418-3

House Sparrow sized holes on the side of the house. - Perfect (Passer domesticus0

LindosBlueRockThrush0418-1

LindosBlueRockThrush0418-2

Blue Rock Thrush singing post. (Monticola solitarius)

Also

Pied & Black Eared Wheatear singing. (Oenanthe pleschanka & Oenanthe hispanica)

LindosRedRumpedSwallow0418-1

LindosRedRumpedSwallow0418-2

LindosRedRumpedSwallow0418-3

Red Rumped Swallow collecting straw. ( Cecropis duarica)

LindosLesserKestrel0418-17

LindosLesserKestrel0418-19

LindosLesserKestrel0418-18



LindosLesserKestrel0418-14

LindosLesserKestrel0418-1

LindosLesserKestrel0418-2

LindosLesserKestrel0418-4

LindosLesserKestrel0418-5


LindosLesserKestrel0418-6

LindosLesserKestrel0418-7

LindosLesserKestrel0418-3

LindosLesserKestrel0418-15

LindosLesserKestrel0418-9

LindosLesserKestrel0418-20

LindosLesserKestrel0418-12

Lesser Kestrel colony on the rocks of the Acropolis - At least twelve birds seen at one time. (Falco naumanni)
Just spectacularly acrobatic in the sunshine.

SalakosSardinianWarbler0418-1

These little guys were allover the island.

Sardinian Warbler ( Sylvia melanocephala)

PISwallow0418-1

PISwallow0418-2

PISwallow0418-3

PISwallow0418-4

PISwallow0418-5

Swallow (Hirundo rustica)

GRWoodchatShrike0418-1

GRWoodchatShrike0418-2

GRWoodchatShrike0418-3

Woodchat Shrike (Lanius senator)

LindosPigeons0418-1

LindosPigeons0418-2

Rock Dove +++ (Columba livia)


Long Legged Buzzard + Short-toed Eagle


Comments

Appolakkia-Kattavia Rd - Rhodes

AppolikkiaRd-KattaviaRdLandscape0418-1

AppolikkiaRd-KattaviaRdLandscape0418-2

AppolikkiaRd-KattaviaRdLandscape0418-3

AppolikkiaRd-KattaviaRdLandscape0418-4

AppolikkiaRd-KattaviaRdAnacamptisfragrans0418-1

AppolikkiaRd-KattaviaRdAnacamptisfragrans0418-4

AppolikkiaRd-KattaviaRdAnacamptisfragrans0418-5

AppolikkiaRd-KattaviaRdAnacamptisfragrans0418-6

AppolikkiaRd-KattaviaRdAnacamptisfragrans0418-7

AppolikkiaRd-KattaviaRdAnacamptisfragrans0418-8

Anacamptis fragrans

Apolakkia-KattaviaRdCampanulaSp0418-1

?

Apolakkia-KattaviaRdCloudedYellow0418-1

Clouded Yellow

Apolakkia-KattaviaRdGrass0418-1

Grass Sp

Apolakkia-KattaviaRdPlantain0418-1

Apolakkia-KattaviaRdPlantain0418-2

Plantain Sp

Apolakkia-KattaviaRdResedaalba0418-1

Reseda alba

Apolakkia-KattaviaRdTrifoliumstellata0418-1

Apolakkia-KattaviaRdTrifoliumstellata0418-2

Trifolium stellatum

Appolakkia-KattaviaRdAnt0418-3

AppolikkiaRd-KattaviaRdBuglos0418-1

Bugloss

AppolikkiaRdAnchusaundulata0418-1

Anchusa undulata

Comments

Rhodes Town

RhodesTownHollow-leavedAspodel0418-1

RhodesTownHollow-leavedAspodel0418-2

RhodesTownHollow-leavedAspodel0418-3

Hollow-leaved Asphodeline ( Asphodelus fistilosus)

RhodesTownWhiteHenbane0418-1

RhodesTownWhiteHenbane0418-2

RhodesTownWhiteHenbane0418-3

RhodesTownWhiteHenbane0418-4

White Henbane (Hyoscyamus albus)

Comments