Iceland - 4th - 8th March 2022

Tuesday, 3 July 2018

Birds and insects of summer

Hello

Eric Graham's fervour for watching wildlife is undisputed with visits to Thrapston Pits both yesterday and today and then a visitation to Fermyn Woods too! Birds at Thrapston yesterday included the summering Great White Egret and another observation of an Osprey and plenty of dragonflies and butterflies on the wing. Today Eric found a juvenile Nightingale suggesting successful breeding and the Great White Egret popped up again! Fermyn's butterflies in just twenty minutes included a dozen Silver-washed Fritillaries, six Purple Emperors and a Painted Lady. Great stuff!

Neil Hasdell took a cycle ride along the Brampton Valley Way north of Northampton this morning and encountered both Banded and Beautiful Demoiselles associating with the Brampton Brook. These were at the Spratton Crossing and also further south towards Chapel Brampton.

Eleanor's visit to Harrington Airfield today provided views of an adult Cuckoo, a pair of Grey Partridge and a decent hatch of Marbled White butterflies.

A couple of good ringing recoveries have just come through as follows:-

A young male Goldfinch was ringed at Greens Norton on 9th November 2017 and was caught again by ringers on 17th June this year at Killiegowan, Dumfries and Galloway, 220 days later and 370km away;

A young Reed Warbler was caught and ringed at Stanwick Gravel Pits on 5th August 2016 and was caught again by ringers operating in South Yorkshire on 6th May this year, 639 days later and with two winters in Africa in between captures!

Regards

Neil M


Banded Demoiselle.

Beautiful Demoiselle.


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