More RVD and a HBHM

Another hot day, but not quite as hot as yesterday with the fresher east(ish) breeze and occasionally overcast.

Middleton Nature Reserve

Pete scanned from the main pond lower car park bench this morning.

Red-Veined Darter minimum 4 probably 5

Ovipositing pair, then split up with male chasing another male. 

Later at least three males over water probably four 

Picture by Muhummad H

I checked the main pond at 13:30 (Malcolm)

There was a male Red-Veined Darter near where the swans rest on the west bank.

The RVD where the swans rest

Another male was on the peninsula 

Two males were seen over the water, at least one, probably both additional 

Also

Black-Tailed Skimmer 5

Emperor 4

Common Darter 5

Male Common Darter

House Martins 2

Little Grebe 1

Plus the regular Mute, Mallard, Coot and Moorhens.

South shore

I checked this morning 08:15 - 09:45 (Malcolm)

Mediterranean gulls 20 scattered around (17 adults and 3 2nd calendar year). There were no Sandmason worm tubes showing on the beach by the wooden jetty and no gulls were feeding there.

Little Gull 1 2nd calendar year was resting and preening on the beach between the outfalls.

Little gull (bottom) with Black Headed gulls

This clip shows the location, it begins with a resting Mediterranean gull on the right

Osprey 1 out from the harbour mouth and continued north, probably to fish in the low water channels past the skear. Good conditions to catch a large flatfish there today, a less tricky prey than a Bass with heavily spiked fins.

Peregrine 2 around the Power Stations, at least one a juvenile.

Juvenile Peregrine Falcon with a distinctive tail feather

Sparrowhawk, I female zipped past me in the Nature Park 

Rock Pipit 2

Wheatear 1 juvenile 

Juvenile Wheatear on the saltmarsh 

Some of the Herring gull chicks are fledged now
But not those on the harbour platforms

Insects:

Small Whites were coming in/off all the time. 58 counted in 60 minutes along the sea wall, not including those feeding in the scrub near the lighthouse 

The only other insects seen coming in/off were 2 Red Admirals

Pete checked from Ocean Edge late morning 

65 large ladybirds south ocean edge in 15 mins - two examined were 7 spot. 

C150 small white in-off/loitering on shore edge flowers with a few large white 

These from Jean are additional to Pete's

122 Small Whites in one hour (10:30-11:30). Also 2 Small Tortoiseshell.

The Six-spot Burnets in the scrub near the lighthouse are getting quite faded now

Kevin and Alison checked early evening 

Hummingbird Hawkmoth 1 feeding on Buddleia bush near the wooden gate in the Nature Park 

Hummingbird Hawkmoth

There were Ladybirds all the way along the sea wall. Alison counted 100 including 3 species in the first 100m, and it is a 1500m long wall! Details to follow.

I checked 17:15 - 18:30 as Kevin and Alison were heading back (Malcolm)

There was just a trickle in/off, 3 Small Whites, 2 Red Admiral and a Peacock.

The Ladybirds (I only saw 7 spot) were everywhere and still coming in.

Large Yellow Underwing on the sea wall
There were 500+ of these in Alison's and Kevin's traps this morning!
A Peach Blossom moth also flew along the sea wall.

There were several Mediterranean Gulls in the beach by the wooden jetty, including a 3rd calendar year that I didn't see this morning. More interestingly, the Sandmason worm tubes were just showing, there was no sign of them this morning. The mud was very soft though.

Two Meds close to the sea wall and the Sandmason worm tubes just showing

This Oystercatcher has a Sandmason worm

Rock Pipit watching the Ladybirds fly in

In the Nature Park 

Small Skipper

Peacock