LITTLE PADDOCK WILDLIFE

There has been a variety of interesting wildlife seen and photographed by Michael Thorley in his Little Paddock garden near Meeting Lane in East Mersea.
The main highlight has been the nesting pair of little owls, one perched out in the open. They have been seen most days recently.

The little owl just about to land on the shed.

Sarah Thorley was able to hear noises of the young little owls coming from the nest in the old shed.

These little owl photographs were taken by Michael on Tuesday 16th.

The first young little owl was seen on the Thursday 18th looking a bit bedraggled in the morning drizzle. Michael had seen an adult with a worm dangling from its beak but the owl hesitated to enter while being watched. There's thought a second owl chick was still inside the shed.

A moulting common buzzard flew over Little Paddock on Monday 15th, then drifted north towards the Pyefleet.

A male wren was photographed in full song by Michael in his garden.

The wren chicks fledged on Sunday 14th in Michael's garden.

Two wren chicks were seen, maybe others were hidden away.

Another wren youngster with the broader yellow bill. The parents were making lots of alarm calls during the day.

A male blue-bodied chaser was photographed in Michael's back garden at his pond.

The males broad-bodied chasers have the blue abdomens while the females have yellow/brown abdomens. They are present on the Island in small numbers.

A caterpillar of the mullein moth feeding on mullein leaves.

A caterpillar of an orange-tip butterfly was found on Jack by the Hedge / Hedge garlic in Michael's garden.