Rimac Bits,Sunday 27th July 2014.

A change of scenery today and a visit to part of the huge Saltfleetby And Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR at Rimac to see what i could find from both the avian world and the world of insects.I began by getting the gear together and walking out to the developing foreshore directly out from Rimac car park.Several Whimbrel were encountered on the walk out and i love to hear their distinct whistling call,superb birds.It was high tide fortunately,so there was quite a bit of activity,with passing flocks of waders and a few terns and gulls.The first bird of note was a passing Cream crowned Marsh Harrier which eventually made it's way south over the saltmarsh,but it was too distant to age it correctly.Back to the beach and sea,the tide was dropping pretty rapidly and about 20 Sandwich Tern were fishing close inshore and occasionally returning to the beach to feed their young along with a group of 6 Common Tern.Further out 2 adult Gannet flew north and a flock of 20 Common Scoter flew south.There were quite a few flocks of Sanderling settling to feed and i attempted to get a few shots of these hyper active waders as they came closer to me.Very few Dunlin were seen and only a handful of Ringed Plover.As i walked back towards the dunes a mixed flock of Swallows,House and Sand Martins were hawking insects over the beach and occasionally landing to rest,a great sight to watch.It is amazing to think that these little birds are on an epic journey across Europe and Africa to their wintering grounds.I eventually made it back to the car,changed the foot wear and went to explore the dune system.Around this area a couple more notable sightings came from the bird world in the form of a singing male Turtle Dove and a singing male Grasshopper Warbler,the former my 4th record of the year.Insects included several species of Odonata,with Emperor,Four-spot Chaser,Ruddy and Common Darters,Common-blue and Emerald Damselflies being recorded and butterflies were well represented also with Common-blue,Brown Argus,Meadow Brown,Gatekeeper,Small and Essex Skippers being seen.An interesting sighting of 2 juvenile Smooth Newts crossing the path while i walked around the reserve,really goes to show that this species is really a terrestrial animal most of it's life,just like it's relatives Frogs and Toads.Finally it would be rude not to include the abundance of wild flowers on show at this fine reserve,from the carpets of Sea Lavender on the saltmarsh to the masses of Birds-foot Trefoil on the dunes.A good list included Sea Purslane,Marsh Samphire,Common Restharrow,Common Centaury,Viper's Bugloss and vast numbers of Marsh-sow Thistle.So after a good morning spent here i travelled the short distance over to Cleethorpes to the airshow. 

Adult Sanderling.

Adult Sanderling.

Curlew.

Immature male Ruddy Darter.

Rimac.