More Devonian Stuff

Yesterday was spent entirely indoors - continual precipitation all day, varying from heavy rain to miserable drizzly clag. This morning looked brighter but with showers threatening. I needed to get out and get some fresh air and peace (and respite from the boys and their cousins!). I headed over to Northam Burrows, and then had a walk along the Taw Estuary. The showers held off, and sunshine prevailed although it was a bit blowy. Whilst I enjoyed the walks and air, the birding was very slow going indeed. Plenty of stuff singing, and a party of four White Wagtails at the burrows, but nothing exciting or unexpected. Still enjoyable to get nice views of common birds going about their business, like foraging Goldcrests, singing Blackcaps, Chiffs and Skylarks and alarm calling Oystercatchers.

Skylark

As is pretty much always the case these days, I was drawn to other things and managed to find yet more new stuff - both whilst out and in the garden when I got back.

Gorse Shieldbug - found on, er, gorse

Lygus maritimus - also on the gorse, though I failed to get a better shot

Gooden's Nomad Bee

As yet unidentified bee

I took this on Saturday and have now identified is as Maidenhair Spleenwort

A couple of shots of some sort of leaf mould on Navelwort rust (Puccinia umbilici) - many thanks to Nigel Pinhorn for the ID