A sunny day but cooler than of late. A fresh variable breeze.
Middleton Nature Reserve
Alan managed a ringing session yesterday.
This was about the first morning for a long time that there was no risk of being roasted alive and the wind was very light so I set off to Middleton at 05.15.
The three nets set produced a modest catch of 24 birds by 11-00, comprising:
Singles of Blackbird, Reed Warbler, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Cetti's Warbler (retrap) and Robin.
Chiffchaff 2
Wren 4
Willow Warbler 3
Sedge Warbler 4
Dunnock 2
long-tailed Tit 1 + 2 retraps
The three nets set produced a modest catch of 24 birds by 11-00, comprising:
Singles of Blackbird, Reed Warbler, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Cetti's Warbler (retrap) and Robin.
Chiffchaff 2
Wren 4
Willow Warbler 3
Sedge Warbler 4
Dunnock 2
long-tailed Tit 1 + 2 retraps
I checked some of the ponds this afternoon to see how widespread the Red-eyed Damselflies are (Malcolm)
Main pond - not checked
"No swimming" pond
Mute Swan pair
Mallard 25+
Gadwall 3
Tufted Duck 1 female
Moorhen 3
Coot 2
 |
| Mute Swans and some of the Mallard |
 |
| male Gadwall in eclipse |
 |
| Gadwall |
This clip shows more of the Mallard then ends up on the three Gadwall
 |
| Male Mallard in eclipse |
 |
| Female Tufted Duck |
 |
| Tufted Duck idly watching a damselfly pass by |
There is a lot of surface weed on this pond, and there were dozens of Damselflies, but most were just our regular blue eyed varieties. I did manage to see three Small Red-eyed Damselflies, including an ovipositoring pair.
 |
| Small Red-eyed Damselflies |
 |
| Ovipositoring Emperor |
Fence pond had plenty of surface weed but only the usual Damselflies seen
Moorhen with just a single tiny chick
Grey Heron 1
Similarly with the other open water in the central marshes. Just the regular Damselflies and a couple of Common Darter
The only warbler seen or heard was a singing Blackcap
Butterflies:
Mainly Gatekeeper
But also Meadow Brown, Peacock, Green-veined White and Common Blue
 |
| Green-veined White and a Carder Bumblebee |
Imperial Rd - Malcolm
Just a brief check
Buzzard 2 - 1 calling from the copse and one flew over to it
Common Whitethroat seen
Sedge warbler seen
 |
| Sedge warbler |
Not many butterflies: Small White, Meadow Brown, GateKeeper and Small Skipper
No Dragonflies
