There were around 70 GREYLAG and CANADA GEESE on the sheep pasture at Migrant Alley this morning, and a TURTLE DOVE was purring from the Wooded Headland, from which it flew and alighted at the top of an electricity pylon, where it purred loudly. Both SPOTTED FLYCATCHERS were calling in the College Grounds as I passed through to get to work.
It was hot and sticky this afternoon, one half of the sky was blue, the other half was dark grey, as a thunderstorm was breaking to the east, but it never got near Pittswood :-)
In such hot and humid conditions there is little point in trying to find birds, so it was back to the Tree Nursery for some Damsels and Butterflies, I say it was pointless looking for birds, but I did see both GREEN and GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER, a JAY, a SKYLARK, and flyovers by HERRING GULL, BUZZARD, SPARROWHAWK, and CORMORANT, the latter is only the second record this month, the other being on the 12th. A male KESTREL hunted over the Tree Nursery and Greenhouse Grounds, I'm still hoping it is breeding in the nest box over the large garden adjacent to Migrant Alley.
I spent 90 minutes chasing flutters, before running out of energy under the hot sun, but I did manage to see lots of Brown Argus, Holly Blues and Small Whites, as well as a couple of Small Coppers. Common Blues have made more of an appearance, 4 were seen, and I watched a pair mating, but wasn't quick enough with the camera to catch them at it :-) Butterfly of the day goes to the Small Heath, two were found today, after the single one found last week which was a butterfly patch tick. Only White Legged Damsels were found today, and also there were plenty of Mother Shipton moths about.
Here's the photo's for today, I hope you enjoy them, as I lost a lot of sweat getting these! :-)
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| Small Heath Butterfly - Only the second patch record |
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| Small Heath |
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| Common Blue Buttefly |
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| Brown Argus Butterfly - easily the most common species in the Tree Nursery |
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| White Legged Damselfly Immature. What stunning markings it has on its face :-) |
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| White Legged Damselfly |
12 comments:
Warren ,
That front-on shot of the WLD is worth any amount of sweat .
Like all the shots , but that one is brilliant .
Thanks Greenie :-) They are fascinating little creatures :-)
Great shots Warren, never seen a white legged damsel fly, don't get them down here.
Cheers Marc.
The adult WL Damsels look wierd with their ''fat' legs. I'll get some shos later inhte season.
Warren....the 'head on' shot of the WLD is simply brilliant, top marks and well done you.
Great WLD shots Warren, I just don't understand how you got it to smile for the camera!
Those pictures are definitely worth the sweat! In particular, the White Legged Damselfly is incredible!
Another great batch of invert photos Warren. Small Heath would be a lifer on my patch so I'm just a tad jealous
Fantastic pic of the White Legged Damselfly Warren, I'm hoping for a Brown Argus this year, fingers crossed. Lovely Small Heath too
Cracking mugshot of the WLD, Warren.
Beautiful photos Warren! Your sweat was well spent :-) I'm very envious of the Small Heath. Actually I am envious of all of them at the moment. I went for a long walk along the canal yesterday and didn't see one butterfly or any Odonata whatsoever :-(
Incredible damsel fly portrait Warren.
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