Friday 24 August 2007

Clouded Yellow a major surprise

Heysham Obs
Another insect day with the only bird of note being a Garden Warbler trapped during an otherwise quiet final CES visit early morning.

Butterflies
A male Clouded Yellow was nectaring on ragwort by the NR office at 1120. In the context of this year, a very significant record and, as such, the origin is by no means obvious. It remained for about 10 mins before flying south but was seen in mid-afternoon just north of the dog-walk pond by other observers. Unfortunately no cameras available

Moths
A Mouse Moth was a reasonably significant new record for the year as they have become rather scarce in recent years. Similarly the second record of the year of Olive.

Dragonflies
2+ Black Darter in the NE corner of the reserve with another near the dog-walk pond. 10+ Brown Hawker and 10 or so Migrant/Common Hawker around the reserve - certainly including both species. Male & female Emperor on the dog-walk pond. 10+ Emerald Damselfly on the dog pond. No Ruddy darter.

Elsewhere
At least two juvenile Yellow Wagtail around the northern end of the large maize field at Melling (Lune valley) this evening. 3 Spoonbill and further Osprey report from Leighton Moss.