Another dry day there was some light cloud cover in the afternoon and the freshening SE breeze made it feel cooler, but it still peaked at 28.6°C
Middleton Nature Reserve - Janet
These shots from the main pond
 |
| Red-veined Darter at least two males |
 |
| Common Darter |
 |
| Common Darter |
 |
| Black-Tailed Skimmer |
 |
| Small Red-eyed Damselflies |
 |
| Common Blue Damselflies |
 |
| Meadow Brown |
These shots are from the southern section of the reserve where a new pond has just been created, it hasn't much water in it at the moment.
Ruddy Darter 1 male. One was seen here last August and that was the first record since 2007!
 |
| Male Ruddy Darter |
South shore - Malcolm
I walked along the sea wall twice today 10:45 - 12:00 and 15:30 - 17:00
 |
| Red Nab was virtually deserted this morning with all the gulls and waders on the mud. More on this later |
As I walked out this morning there was a steady procession of butterflies coming in off the sea, despite the breeze briefly shifting to the west when I was half way along.
Small White 14
Red Admiral 3
In the scrub near the lighthouse
Meadow Brown 15
Small White 8
Peacock 1
In the brambles between the lighthouse and waterfall
Meadow Brown 7
Small White 13
Small Tortoiseshell 4
Painted Lady 3
Peacock 2
Red Admiral 1
 |
| This is the line of brambles and Willow Herb between the lighthouse and waterfall |
This afternoon the mix of butterflies had changed. Walking out:
Red Admiral 7
Peacock 2
Painted Lady 1
Small Tortoiseshell 1
Small White 2
In the scrub near the lighthouse
Peacock 9
Painted Lady 2
Small White 5
Meadow Brown 8
I didn't go down to the waterfall this time, but there were more Peacocks and Red Admirals seen
 |
| Peacock |
Mediterranean gull 27 scattered around this afternoon, but most on the feeding beach by the wooden jetty.
 |
| These were on the feeding beach |
 |
| This is the Med with the lower half of its right leg missing. Resting with Black-Headed gulls between the outfalls |
Rock Pipit 1
Peregrine Falcon 2
I'm not certain what is happening here, but it is clear why the gulls are so often flushed from Red Nab. I think the larger bird on the ground must have made a kill and was refusing to share it. This is as I set off this afternoon.
 |
| This is the Peregrine on the ground |
When I got back to Red Nab this afternoon the gulls had returned and were having a cooling bath in the freshwater runoff. There is at least one Mediterranean gull amongst these.
In the Nature Park it was predominantly Small Whites in the morning, only a few Small White this afternoon but more Peacock and Red Admirals. Other butterflies seen: Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large White, Common Blue, Small Skipper and Speckled Wood
 |
| Small Skipper |
 |
| Large White |
 |
| Peacock |
