A light but freshening SW wind. Mainly overcast with the odd shower.
South shore (Malcolm)
A quick check of Red Nab towards high water found only 2 adult Mediterranean gulls. And they, with the few Black-Headed gulls they were with quickly moved on.
Adult Mediterranean gull |
Mediterranean and Black-Headed gulls |
Janet saw a mustelid scurry across the path to Red Nab. "Very dark with long tail" so either a very wet Stoat or possibly a Mink?
Middleton Nature Reserve (Malcolm)
Mute Swan 2 adult with 2 quickly growing cygnets.
Mallard 17 on main pond 6 on "no swimming" pond
Gadwall 2 (female and immature) on "no swimming" pond
Coot 4 adult and 6 immature on main pond, 2 adult and 2 immature on "no swimming" pond
Little grebe 1 adult and 2 immature on "no swimming" pond.
Moorhen just 1 adult seen
The Mute family with a Grey Heron, 2 Mallard and a Black-Headed gull |
The young Little grebe are moving to winter plumage. This one provides a tour of the pond, passing a young then adult Coot and the two Gadwall.
Jay 2
Blackcap 1 singing (the only warbler heard singing on the reserve)
Chiffchaff 1 calling
Common Darter 2 male
Ringlet 3
Meadow Brown 4
Small Skipper 12
Large Skipper 2
Large Skipper by Janet yesterday |
Large White 2
Speckled Wood 1
Gatekeeper 5
Gatekeeper |
Six-spot Burnet 3
Silver Y 2
Common Green Grasshopper several
Common Green Grasshopper |
I'm sure there would have been many more insects in this nice area of grassland if the sun had been shining.