Hello
Today I committed to the fifth Common Bird Census of the season on the reserve at Pitsford Reservoir. The weather was dull but mild and dry but didn't really inspire the insects to show themselves. However there were plenty of young fledged birds about.
A singing Spotted Flycatcher remains close to the Fishing Lodge but was the only one noted on the reserve. A Little Egret was in the Walgrave Bay, the two Oystercatchers were quite mobile, and the first indication of 'autumn' was in the shape of a returning Lapwing! I counted 43 active Cormorant nests and the singing Cetti's Warbler remained (present since March). Blackcaps occupied at least thirty-nine territories and Garden Warbler twenty-two. Three Willow Warbler territories were mapped but there were no Sedge Warblers and just a handful of Reed Warblers.
Large numbers of juvenile tits dominated the plantations and bushes but sadly there was no sign of any Willow Tits. Four active Great Spotted Woodpecker nests were located. Black-headed Gulls have bred successfully.
Butterflies amounted to Speckled Wood, Large White, Small Copper, Small Heath, Common Blue and Large Skipper and day time flying moths included Chimney Sweeper . No dragonflies were seen but reasonable numbers of Common Blue Damselflies were about as were a few Beautiful Demoiselles...
Further singing Spotted Flycatchers noted today were at the Brampton Valley Way north of Draughton Crossing and Maidwell village (near to the churchyard).
Regards
Neil M
Today I committed to the fifth Common Bird Census of the season on the reserve at Pitsford Reservoir. The weather was dull but mild and dry but didn't really inspire the insects to show themselves. However there were plenty of young fledged birds about.
A singing Spotted Flycatcher remains close to the Fishing Lodge but was the only one noted on the reserve. A Little Egret was in the Walgrave Bay, the two Oystercatchers were quite mobile, and the first indication of 'autumn' was in the shape of a returning Lapwing! I counted 43 active Cormorant nests and the singing Cetti's Warbler remained (present since March). Blackcaps occupied at least thirty-nine territories and Garden Warbler twenty-two. Three Willow Warbler territories were mapped but there were no Sedge Warblers and just a handful of Reed Warblers.
Large numbers of juvenile tits dominated the plantations and bushes but sadly there was no sign of any Willow Tits. Four active Great Spotted Woodpecker nests were located. Black-headed Gulls have bred successfully.
Butterflies amounted to Speckled Wood, Large White, Small Copper, Small Heath, Common Blue and Large Skipper and day time flying moths included Chimney Sweeper . No dragonflies were seen but reasonable numbers of Common Blue Damselflies were about as were a few Beautiful Demoiselles...
Further singing Spotted Flycatchers noted today were at the Brampton Valley Way north of Draughton Crossing and Maidwell village (near to the churchyard).
Regards
Neil M
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| Garden Warbler. |
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| Cercopis vulnerata or Black and Red Froghopper ...thank-you to Simon and Gill and Richard for identifying it! |
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| Common Blue Damselfly. |
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| Great Crested Grebe. |
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| Beautiful Demoiselle. All images taken at Pitsford today. |
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