Wildlife, nature and butterflies seen during visit to Hastings Country Park on 22nd April 2026

Song thrush near the top of a tree while on my way to Warren Glen

There weren't many birds about, but I did see a few butterflies:

Comma butterfly with very ragged wings

Side view of the Comma

Small Copper butterfly

Holly Blue butterfly

I walked down the path from the top part of Warren Glen

but decided not to go down to the lower part as it was too steep for me as I have a bad knee

Instead, I walked along Barley Lane and then went down the path leading to the Dripping well

Lots of Wild Garlic lined the edge of the path

There were also lots of Bluebells

and a Speckled Wood butterfly on white blossom

Here, again, the path was too steep for me so I went back up to Barley Lane

I was hoping to see Yellowhammers in the country park, but this notice by a field had to do!

I just managed to capture a tiny Wren in the undergrowth along Barley Lane

View of the Coastguard cottage and radar station on my way back to the visitor centre

I hope the roaming horses did not eat all the Bluebells!

Part of the old sand quarry wall

Looking down towards the coast from Hastings Country Park

White Fan-tailed Pigeon entering its home on the roof of a house at the edge of the country park

There were several Fan-tailed Pigeons on the roof that were ready to go home

I had an enjoyable day in Hastings Country Park, but was disappointed with the lack of birds and I had not realised that the area was so steep

Birds and wildlife in Thornwick Bay and Danes Dyke, East Yorkshire - 17th and 18th May 2024

 I visited East Yorkshire in the middle of May - spending a week at Thornwick Bay Holiday Park.  I walked round part of the holiday park on the afternoon of my arrival where I saw the following birds.

Blackbird amongst the daisies by the fishing lake

Flowers along the edge of the lake on a misty afternoon

Pair of nesting Mute Swans at the edge of the lake

Singing Goldfinch at the top of a hedge

Orange Tip butterfly at Thornwick Pools

Mum Mallard and lots of tiny ducklings in front of the bird hide in Thornwick Pools

Arguing Pied Wagtails

Stonechat amongst greenery

The next day I went by bus to Danes Dyke and wandered around in the woodland

and then down to the beach

A horse was waiting to play football in a field at the edge of the footpath to Flamborough Village

A goat was taking a rest at the edge of the field

A Pied Wagtail was perching in a tree back at the holiday park

A white duck was sitting with some friends at the edge of the fishing lake

Male Chaffinch at the top of a pine bush

Chiffchaff on twig just outside the holiday park

Deer feature at the end of the lake

Windy morning at Pagham beach and some wildlife in the afternoon during my last day in Pagham - 28th March 2024

While I was walking along Pagham beach in the wind photographing some of the houses, windsurfers were out on the water

After I had been on the beach for a while it started raining so I went back to the mobile home.  Later in the day I went for a last walk near Pagham Harbour nature reserve.  

I found a Green Woodpecker in a field near the reserve.

A light-coloured horse looked a little lonely

The only wildlife braving the wind at the nature reserve was a Little Egret

 The next day it was goodbye to Pagham and back home.  I had spent a very enjoyable week there despite the rain and the wind!

Egrets, Herons, Grebe, Robin, Chiffchaff, horse and pony - Pagham Harbour nature reserve, Pagham, West Sussex - 26th March 2024

On Tuesday, 26th March, I walked along part of the North Wall in the nature reserve at Pagham until I reached the heronry, where there were quite a few large birds perching in the distance on top of a tall twiggy hedge.

Three Grey Herons and a Little Egret

Cattle Egret

Two Grey Herons having an argument

Grey Heron in flight

More Grey Herons

Two Little Egrets in flight and a Grey Heron at the top of the hedge

Majestic Little Egret viewing its kingdom!

There were several Little Egrets feeding in the lagoon as I made my way back to Pagham

I disturbed a Little Egret and it took flight

Great Crested Grebe waving its paddle-like foot

Horse and pony feeding in a field near the entrance to the nature reserve

The pony had a strange hair cut!

It was lovely to see some Primroses at the side of the path

A Robin was perching in a shrub

I saw a Chiffchaff at the top of a Pussy Willow as I walked back to the holiday park

Another Robin was perching on the Pagham Harbour sign at the edge of Church Farm Holiday Park