Friday 20 May 2022

Dragonflies out, but not about!

A cool south to SSW all day, sunny periods and heavy evening showers 

Just my stuff again, and I didn't have much time today (MD)
Saltmarsh to Red Nab 2 hours before high water.
Curlew 4
Linnet 6
Wheatear 2 - this saltmarsh bird was not welcomed by the Linnet.

Rock Pipit 1 on Red Nab - it seems to be fine moving around at the moment, but this bird too has some sort of growth on its foot. That makes three birds with something wrong with one foot, presumably a trait of the local population, I can't find anything to suggest it is a species trait. 
Rock Pipit with a growth on left foot

It didn't get over 14C today so very little insect movement. However there were 9 dragonfly nymph cases attached to the Flag Irises on the nature park pond. All empty, and I didn't see any yesterday so presumably they emerged this morning and are now resting somewhere. They look to be Broad-bodied Chaser nymphs.
Empty dragonfly nymph cases 

This shows the location of some of them, they should remain attached for a few days

Heysham skear
A check this evening as the inner skear became exposed unfortunately coincided with the heaviest shower of the day!
No Eider seen
Great Crested Grebe 2
Little Egret 7
Whimbrel 1
Sanderling 9 in one flighty flock
Turnstone 18 (13 & 5)
Knot 1