A trip along the coast

We spent the day along the coast in Eastbourne today. It's a while since I've driven that road (all of 20 miles) and I was shocked by the amount – and variety – of road kill along the way. At a minimal count (I was trying to keep my eyes on the road) I saw at least two foxes, a badger, a weasel or stoat, a male pheasant, plus numerous unidentifiable victims (but no doubt including rabbits and hedgehogs).

The day started with a heavy sea mist, but did brighten up as the sun forced its way through.
Eastbourne mist

On a more positive note, I was surprised at the difference in the wildlife. Although the ubiquitous herring gulls were there in abundance, I also saw other varieties including this black-backed gull.
Black backed Gull

Herring Gull

Among the other birds spotted were a second and third 'first' for me: a pair of cormorants on distant rock, and a whitethroat.
Cormorants in the distance

Common Whitethroat

As well as the unexpected change in the variety of birds, I also spotted a cinnabar moth, and what I think is a Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary butterfly. Both new to me.
Cinnabar moth (the best of several terrible shots)

Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary

I think the success of the day is telling me to get out and about a bit more. Mind you there's still plenty to see in the garden, so expect more from there over the next few days.

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This Post Has 14 Comments

  1. Tervicz

    11 Jun 2007

    I know what you mean, about the road kills. It stings. If I see something like a fur coat I can't help but feel ashamed and sorry for what happened to them, for what we did.

  2. SittingFox

    11 Jun 2007

    I always dread what I might find on the road here in Canada but Waterton doesn't have the massive killer highways of Jasper. On a farm road further north I did find the body of an American badger, though 🙁 and a porcupine on the TransCanada Highway going back to Calgary. (I'm on Vancouver Island now, in another hotel with wifi, but not yet in the village where I'll be living.)

    But…stunning shot of the fritillary, and the whitethroat is a great catch :up:

  3. chthoniid

    11 Jun 2007

    …I'm afraid in NZ roadkill consists largely of possums and rabbits, and given the ecological damage these introduced pests inflict, we're a little more comfortable with this kind of road-kill.

    I imagine my reaction would be similar to yours, if it was native birds and the like getting hit.

    Btw- Sittingfox- does Victoria still have the 'Sticky Wicket' in business?

  4. Flying Red Fox Blog

    11 Jun 2007

    Nice pics, it was a lovelly day yesterday while spotting at Gatwick

  5. gdare

    11 Jun 2007

    What is this wooden thing in Eastbourn mist photo, some kind of a fence?
    Nice pics, as usual. I can't say that anything I've seen here lately is bad, not even moderate. It is amazing.

  6. zetorres

    11 Jun 2007

    Really great day for good photos:)

  7. SittingFox

    11 Jun 2007

    @Chthoniid – to be honest I've only ever been to Victoria once, seven years ago. I've spent most of my time in Alberta but am now moving to the North of the Island. I try to bypass major cities 😉 but Google seems to think that the Sticky Wicket is still in operation.

  8. Words

    11 Jun 2007

    Thanks all. The road kill is something I see occasionally, but it seemed particualrly bad on that bit of road. It's a fairly fast stretch, single lane in each direction, so fairly typical of these parts. Edging on to woods and fields. Wildlife doesn't stand much of a chance, especially at night.

    @Gdare – I think those are to stop beach erosion. Here's a shot from later in the day where you can see the beach properly.

  9. chthoniid

    11 Jun 2007

    @SittingFox- thanks. I was in Victoria for a Soc. Cons. Biol. meeting err, 10 years ago.

    The Sticky Wicket was a good place to find other Kiwis, Australians and South Africans. Something about the name…:)

    I appreciate the desire to avoid major cities- will be visiting Beijing (12m) and Harbin (4m) again in a couple of weeks. I greatly prefer Eastbourne-style mist to the purple-haze of air-pollution.

  10. gdare

    11 Jun 2007

    Oh, I can see now, thanks. But I think that someone will have to put some more rubble ocasionally….

  11. Flying Red Fox Blog

    12 Jun 2007

    I prefer no rubble at all it hurts me feet! 😛 But its either that or increase the white cliffs of Dover all the way along the south coast which wouldnt be good as i would be underwater hehe.

  12. SittingFox

    13 Jun 2007

    I must admit, that was one problem we didn't have in Surrey :whistle: Here, I'm in a tsunami zone but there's no beach erosion because I'm at the end of a narrow inlet :p

    They certainly have built a lot of fences / groynes in Eastbourne, though :eyes:

  13. anonymous

    15 Jun 2007

    djekki writes:

    gdare – they are called groynes…… They are there to stop the beach from disappearing into the Channel!

  14. gdare

    15 Jun 2007

    Thanks djekki, I figured it out according to Words explanation and photos

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