Wednesday 23 June 2021

Rain affected play

It was generally fair till about 09:30 (Alan was unlucky getting a shower at Middleton) after that the rain started and never really stopped. Wind from the west.

Middleton Nature Reserve 
Ringing report from Alan:

A ringing session this morning was interrupted by a fairly heavy rain shower between 06.40 and about 07.30, during which time the nets were were closed to avoid catching birds in the wet conditions. After Monday's poor catch of 3 juvenile Robins, one juvenile Willow Warbler, a retrapped Chiffchaff and one unringed Grasshopper Warbler, this morning was only a little better.


Sedge Warbler - 1 juv +1 retrap

Reed Warbler - 2 + 2 retraps

Reed Bunting - 1 adult + 1 juvenile

Dunnock - 1 juvenile


It would seem that either the warbler species have yet to fledge their young in any numbers or it has been a poor breeding season. Hopefully things will improve and dispersing young will be trapped in good numbers in the next few weeks.


I checked Ocean Edge towards high water (MD). I was a bit late and the tide had already covered the mud. The only "records" were:

Pied Wagtail family of 6 on the saltmarsh.

The Sea Slaters, at least, were grateful for the rain, the rocks were covered in them!


Nothing else for today so filling in with a few pictures that didn't make the cut yesterday. These were on Middleton Nature Reserve.

Male Four-spotted Chaser

Male Black-tailed Skimmer

Female Emperor ovipositoring 

Female Common Blue

This Large Skipper was Ocean Edge foreshore 
The hooks on its antennae can be seen.

Kevin took this shot of a Small Skipper on Heysham Nature Reserve 


Hopefully more topical news tomorrow.