WNW fresh wind, high clouds with plenty of sunny spells.
Heysham Nature Reserve
These nice shots from Kevin:
 |
| Female Brimstone |
 |
| Small Copper - they have been scarce this year |
 |
| Male Common Darter |
South Shore on rising tide just after lunch (MD)
Mediterranean gulls 7 - I was hoping to watch the tide bring them close to the sea wall on the beach near wooden jetty, but as I was arriving they were already flying off, even though the tide was still well out. Six adults flew from the beach and a juvenile was feeding on No.1 outflows. Red Nab not checked.
Common gulls 3 juvenile also feeding on the outflows, making identifying juvenile Meds a bit more difficult.
 |
| Juvenile Common gull - upper wing pattern similar to juvenile Mediterranean gull but underwing markings different to the clean underwing of juvenile Meds. |
 |
| Mediterranean gull juvenile. A terrible shot, sorry, but it does show the clean underwing. And, of course, the face is different. |
Common Tern 1 adult feeding on No.2 outflow. Much easier to see when the shimmering sea isn't behind them.
 |
| Common Tern |
Even so, I couldn't keep it in frame for long. This clip is on my way out, when not many gulls were feeding.
By the time I was heading back, there was a lot more competition for food.
Whimbrel 1 on Red Nab
Rock Pipit 1 on Red Nab
In the Nature Park
Butterflies:
Red Admiral 2
Meadow Brown 6
Common Blue 2
Large White 2
Small White 1
Dragonflies:
Emperor 1
Brown Hawker 1
Common Darter 2
This young Blue Tit seemed to be finding plenty of small insects on the weed of the newt pond. There are also at least eleven water snails zipping around.
