Ladybird Invasion

July 24
We should have set out earlier........
By the time we got to Beach Road Salthouse, there were cars lining the road and groups of birders clumped to the east, south and on top of, Granborough Hill. A returning birder said that the southern group, invading a cornfield, was the only place where the Great Spotted Cuckoo could currently be seen. Not wishing to invade farmland, we walked to the top of Granborough Hill from which we thought we'd have the best panoramic view. Pam took a photo of a Common Blue Butterfly (ordinary name for a beautiful insect) on the way along the inland footpath.


It was very difficult to avoid stepping on the thousands of ladybirds which festooned every plant and crawled across the shingle. Just as we reached the top of Granborough, a lone scoper called that he'd got the Cuckoo in flight and had tracked its landing. We got alongside for directions before the mass of birders below arrived. It was very distant indeed, perched in a hedgerow below the Pheasant Hotel. At 60x I could make out a black cap and a pale collar, the bird had its back to us. I kept wishing for better and flight views but someone I'd invited to use my scope was in situ when it did fly.
The return journey was more leisurely for better identification of the ladybird invasion. Most were 7 Spots with some 11 Spots. Difficult to judge the quantity of each. One birder said he'd seen a few Harlequins but we didn't find any.Pam carries her little Ixus everywhere - I carry my scope - the following photos are hers.