Saturday 21 September 2019

Marsh Harrier

Marsh Harrier - Juv south Middleton NR 0650hrs

A steady east breeze and 20C+, should equal insect migration off the sea, so the lighthouse area was checked twice today.
10:30 - 11:30 (low water)
A bit erratic at first, then became a steady influx of butterflies.
Red Admiral 36
Small White 25
Painted Lady 8
Small Tortoiseshell 3
Silver Y 2
 At 13:15 there were still plenty coming in, but they soon eased off as tide progressed further along sea wall. A walk down to No2 outflow, confirmed there were butterflies coming in all along the sea wall.
This count is only those that came in over lighthouse/wooden jetty wall till 14:00.
Red Admiral 12
Small White 26
Painted Lady 9
Small Tortoiseshell 8
Peacock 1
Silver Y 1
Most moved straight through, but a few whites and Painted Lady stopped for a top up. As did the Silver Y, which may just be resident.
Just one dragonfly, in the afternoon session. Male Migrant Hawker.