Overnight showers did nothing to reduce the temperature, it didn't get below 22°C overnight. A sunny start had the temperature up to 31°C by 11:00, then cloudy spells and a freshening west wind brought it down slightly.
Middleton Nature Reserve
Janet exercised her dog at 05:30 before it became too hot again. Even at that time there were dragonflies on the wing. A Darter sp darted past her. Ringlets were also flitting around.
Lots of birds singing
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| Common Whitethroat |
Pete scanned the main pond from the car park
At least one male lesser emperor
several black tailed skimmer over the water.
At least 15 male Red-veined Darters plus 3 females
David Talbot checked late morning
A Norfolk Hawker settled very briefly on east bank, also Brown Hawker, Southern Hawker flying, Broad-bodied Chaser, Four- spotted Chaser, Emperors, loads of Red Veined Darters, Black-Tailed Skimmers and the usual 3 damsels - so 11 species a lovely morning.
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| Male Black-tailed Skimmer |
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| Emperor |
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| Male Red-veined Darter |
Janet had another quick look this afternoon
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| Black-tailed Skimmer |
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| Common Blue Damselflies |
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| Ringlet |
Heysham skear Malcolm 16:00 - 17:30
This was my only outing today. Yesterday's exertions in the heat took its toll!
Still, by the time I set off there was total cloud cover and a fresh breeze blowing in off the sea. I wore a long sleeved T shirt and a lightweight sleeveless jacket, and was barely warm enough.......Bliss!
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| This was the view looking south, the wind assisted StenaLine ship approaching the harbour |
I hadn't expect to see much, it was just nice to get out on the shore. There was nothing on the sea other than gulls. There were plenty of gulls scattered around the skear as well, c500
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| None were in a rush, there is food aplenty all over the skear now. Two green ringed birds were seen but both seen earlier this year |
There was an adult "Herring gull" with a slightly darker mantle. Checking revealed yellow legs. I was just going to get a shot when it decided to move on. Still, I managed some in flight shots confirming it as a Yellow-Legged Gull
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| Yellow-Legged Gull |
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| In places on the skear at the moment, it's like walking in a rough field! But the "grass" in this case is acres of gutweed |
Oystercatcher 350
Curlew 14
