David Gibbs Entomology and Natural History

With the wind turning south it seemed worth getting out early to see what migrants were coming through. Arrived at Sand Point soon after 8am and almost immediately could hear a Grasshopper Warbler reeling close by. Only took a few minutes to locate it "chacking" away in a bramble bush, and giving good views! While watching it I could hear another reeling a little further off in the scrub behind Sand Bay. Again this bird proved remarkably obliging, hopping on top of a bush as I approached. And a little later a third Grasshopper Warbler hopped up in front of me, but this one immediately took cover, giving only fleeting views. Further on my first House Martin of the year flew overhead going north. Almost immediately a female Redstart hopped up giving brief views while out on the saltmarsh was a superb male Whinchat which unfortunately kept itself hidden behind grasses.

Headed up to the Point where I could hear a Lesser Whitethroat but the good start suggested there should be something better than that. Indeed there was, on reaching the top two Ring Ouzels flew past and settled on the cliff edge on the north side of the point. They were very flightly but eventually got this record shot.

Eventually they flew off towards Middle Hope where I followed. Walked all the way to St Thomas's Head and back but nothing very special, 13+ Whimbrel, one more Lesser Whitethroat, good numbers of Swallows, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat and Wheatear, including this smart male.

After watching a Fox headed back to the carpark where I relocated the Redstart close to Woodspring house but rather distant views.

Found some nice lichens that await confirmation. 

This one is Bagliettoa calciseda I think, in the field looks just like a dimpled rock surface and it was only under the microscope that it became clear that it was indeed a Lichen. 

Will add the others when/if properly identified.