Tick.....tick......tick...........

A light west wind, dry and largely sunny after an early morning shower.

Middleton Nature Reserve 

Janet had a stroll around and took these excellent insect shots.

Male Emperor

Female Emperor 

Male Common Darter

Brimstone butterfly

I checked the two main ponds early evening (MD). The only new wildfowl was this handsome Tufted Duck.

Male Tufted Duck

South shore (MD)

I exercised my daughter's dog along the sea wall, early afternoon.

Mediterranean Gulls 13 at least. There were 5 on the beach next to No.2 outflow plus 8 on the beach next to the wooden jetty, including the newly returned German ringed bird.

The German ringed Mediterranean gull on the same small patch of beach that he has claimed
as his own for the past severn years (sex identified at the breeding site in Germany)

Rock Pipits 4 - 1 on Red Nab 3 on foreshore 

Wheatear 4 on saltmarsh including 2 moulting juvenile 

These shots are from Janet. This crumpled butterfly was just behind Heysham Road. Clearly it has just emerged and yet to fully expand its wings. 

Looks like a Green-Veined White (MD)