Spiders for Halloween

Found these spider webs across much of the scrub at Dungeness recently.

Pink Frass on the webs

When I zoomed in on the shot there was a 'bag' of red spider mite-type creatures.   Stunningly beautiful.

A long 'bag' hanging from the web

The bag containing hundreds or thousands of red spider mites

Jack Snipe

My most recent birding "quest" has been Jack Snipe.   After seeing my first on St Mary's, IOS in 1991, there has been a lack of attention to this species, so a couple of years ago, having achieved the previous goal (Lesser Spotted Woodpecker), JS moved to the top of my UK wish-list.

Not wishing to flush a bird has costs me several opportunities, but in the last couple of weeks I have been an extremely lucky lady.

First came a chance meeting with a local group of birders at Dungeness - and thanks to them for sharing!   Although being extremely hard to find amongst the rocks and legs of Northern Lapwing and Grey Heron, and with a rather annoying willow moving in a stiff breeze, it was a less than satisfactory view.   Added to which it didn't even have the good grace to "bob".

I said it was less than satisfactory!

However, my (fast becoming) local patch of Rainham Marshes awaited and last week gave fantastic views of a Jack Snipe - no Willows in the way, no Lapwing or Grey Heron complicating the view and with a Common Snipe nearby for comparison and joy of joy - it bobbed constantly!  Yippee!

Mission accomplished - wonder what's next?