Saturday 4 July 2015

First juv Med and continuing Red-veins in warm weather

Heysham Obs
The Red-veined Darters performed admirably other than the one I wanted to examine closely which was chased off by Black-tailed Skimmer - a teneral or female looking like this species but not 100% nailed

Middleton model boat pond
Red-veined Darter - 6 males on western shoreline - one spit, one inlet next to spit, one along reedbed, one between reedbed and swan-loafing area fighting at one stage with one just to east of swan loafing area and then one in the SW corner by small reedbed.  Yesterday there was also one near the bench where the swans were being fed along the southern shore but didn't get chance to check today, so possibly 7 males.  A female/teneral was along the reedbed for a very short time and looked like this species. A teneral darter multi observed late afternoon remains un identified but probably Common unless someone produces a pic to the contrary.
Black-tailed Skimmer - 12 (3 females), possibly more
Emperor - 2 males
Four-spotted Chaser - 2
Broad-bodied chaser - two in the rubble mounds by pond

Outfalls/Red Nab incoming tide
Med Gull - amazing turnover c/p yesterdays birds.  One (unringed) juvenile, just one adult, 6 3CY and 4 2CY. All but the juv sitting down so couldn't check for rings, then the sun came out, everything heat-hazed and time to check the darters