Middleton Nature Reserve early to mid morning (AD, MD)
A steady ringing session included:
Cetti's Warbler 1 plus one singing in central marsh
Garden Warbler 1
Common Whitethroat 9
Willow Warbler 13
Sedge Warbler 5
Reed Bunting 1
Water Rail calling from central marsh
Grey Heron 2 + 1 flying around, noisily, early on.
Dragonfly activity started early with first Common Darter at 08:10. Also, Brown Hawker and Emperor. An increase in Migrant Hawker numbers was reported later in the day.
Lighthouse area checked twice to check for insects coming in. Tide out both times (MD)
11:00 - unfortunately the breeze had shifted to north by this time. No sign of any current or earlier movement.
19:00 wind now NE. Still no sign of any insects coming in off the sea.
Rock Pipit 1
Wheatear - at least 2 (2 seen both visits but none when Kevin checked in between)
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| One of this evening's Wheatears |
Some pictures from Kevin:
From the overnight trap - a rather lovely Bordered Beauty.
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| I reckon it could give many butterflies a run for their money |
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| a lovely pristine Brimstone feeding on Buddleia near the old anemometer. |
Just an aside from this morning's visit to Middleton (MD)
Grey squirrels are regularly seen here, you normally get a glimpse of one feeding in the perimeter trees. So this one was unusual, to say the least!It approached me along the road and I had to "shoo" it away, but it wasn't for going.
When I sat on a low wall it sat itself opposite me, no more than 3m away. It was as if it was a lost pet. But then I realised that.......he........."was, just pleased to see me"!
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| My wife suggested that he must need glasses! |
I made my excuses, and left.
