Tuesday 19 April 2022

Lesser Whitethroat and Reed Warbler singing, plus the insects start to get interesting

Light NW breeze mainly sunny.

Early morning from Pete:
Sandwich Tern 35 shipping lane south of harbour mainly on distant buoys
Lesser Whitethroat 2 ringed plus another singing at Heysham Nature Reserve 
Later
Reed Warbler also singing in Heysham Nature Reserve - ref Reuben 

Reports today suggesting that the Ring Ouzel was still around was the result of a report from yesterday ending up on on the local group WhatsApp today. 

I had a walk along the rising waterline out from the north sea wall (MD).
Only 4 Sandwich Terns around the inshore buoys.
Whimbrel 1 - this clip shows most of the defining features of a Whimbrel, including its distinctive call.

Middleton Nature Reserve (MD)
A very pleasant afternoon stroll around the eastern half of the reserve.
Greylag goose 3
Greylag geese
Mute Swan 2 breeding pair plus a single adult (possibly with a mate on hidden nest).
Coot 5
Moorhen 2
Gadwall 2
Mallard 3
Little grebe 2 feeding birds. They look particularly smart at this time of year.

Warblers:
Several of each, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcap.
Cetti's Warbler 2 (no swimming pond and central marsh)
Common Whitethroat 1
Lesser Whitethroat 3

Insects
Plenty of butterflies this afternoon, mainly 
Orange Tip 31 (4 female)
Plenty of males to go round, but "go around" was all this male did!
Speckled Wood 7
Peacock 7
Comma 2
Common Blue 1
First Damselfly of the year - Large Red
Ignore the name it was diminutive and very difficult to get a decent shot