Saturday 4 July 2009

Large numbers of Red-veined Darters

Heysham Obs
In the absence of further apparent influxes so far to the north, I am assuming that the current increase in Red-veined Darters is due to the emergence of locally-born examples. This is backed up by two teneral males two days ago. A small number of teneral darters last weekend were presumed to be Common Darter, but there has been no indication of any increase in mature/maturing darters other than Red-veined! This does not mean that some of the individuals are not remaining from a presumed migratory influx at the beginning of June (a good week before any local emergence, on the evidence of previous years). The absence at the excellent and well-recorded (e.g. current 2 x Lesser Emperor) habitat at Brockholes Quarry does support the case for no further migrants after the initial influx, as do the lack of RVD sightings from the northern half of Britain on the BDS site. Whats happening at Fleetwood Marsh Nature reserve, which received early migrants, including an ovipositing female? However, recent news concerning two individuals at Brockholes Quarry and 3 at Walney Island (first records) does suggest some continued migration

Middleton IE model boat pond
Red-veined Darter - at least 10 males at 1050ish in 22C, scattered all round the edge of the pond and flying towards the middle on a regular basis. No obvious 'cross-overs' from one side of the pond to the other; all seemed to be spread around on territory with quite a bit of conflict at the boundaries.
Black-tailed Skimmer - 10+

Middleton IE
Ringed Plover - 1+ chick with previously unrecorded pair
Grasshopper Warbler - 3 singing males
Reed Warbler - at least 4 singing males present this last week

Red Nab
Med Gull - adult summer plus 2CY with significant amount of black on head
Whimbrel - one (plus 16 moulting adult Curlew)

Elsewhere
Spoonbill - two on the Allen Pool this morning