Hello
After completing a bird survey this morning, I then explored the Welland Valley to the north of Rockingham as far as Harringworth. Birds in this under-watched area of the county included on-territory Lapwings, Sedge and Reed Warblers, Meadow Pipit, three Cuckoos and oodles of Red Kites. The bridge over the River Welland at Harringworth was good for Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail and Spotted Flycatcher. A couple of Little Egrets were working the valley and a pair of Gadwall appeared rather maternal.
Odonata were out in large numbers with good numbers of Banded Demoiselles, four species of damselfly and several Hairy Hawkers. Mayfly larva were swimming to the surface and in a matter of seconds after hitting the water's surface flying speedily away as an emerged adult. However the demoiselles were very much in hunting mode and frequently intercepted the Mayfly maiden flight and took them to a nearby reed to consume. The demoiselles are probably their nemesis under the water when both in their larval stage and again when they emerge as flying adults!
A Bittern in flight at Stanwick Pits at 7am this morning was a good find by Adrian. The bird kept flying west and vanished towards the Irthlingborough and Meadows reserve. And a Black-necked Grebe on the Summer Leys reserve this evening was another good find.
Eleanor saw the pair of Spotted Flycatchers in trees near to Beck Dairy (Cottesbrooke) again today and found another pair at Haselbech Grange. Fiona hosted two Broad-bodied Chasers in her garden, initially posing very nicely.
Regards
Neil M
After completing a bird survey this morning, I then explored the Welland Valley to the north of Rockingham as far as Harringworth. Birds in this under-watched area of the county included on-territory Lapwings, Sedge and Reed Warblers, Meadow Pipit, three Cuckoos and oodles of Red Kites. The bridge over the River Welland at Harringworth was good for Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail and Spotted Flycatcher. A couple of Little Egrets were working the valley and a pair of Gadwall appeared rather maternal.
Odonata were out in large numbers with good numbers of Banded Demoiselles, four species of damselfly and several Hairy Hawkers. Mayfly larva were swimming to the surface and in a matter of seconds after hitting the water's surface flying speedily away as an emerged adult. However the demoiselles were very much in hunting mode and frequently intercepted the Mayfly maiden flight and took them to a nearby reed to consume. The demoiselles are probably their nemesis under the water when both in their larval stage and again when they emerge as flying adults!
A Bittern in flight at Stanwick Pits at 7am this morning was a good find by Adrian. The bird kept flying west and vanished towards the Irthlingborough and Meadows reserve. And a Black-necked Grebe on the Summer Leys reserve this evening was another good find.
Eleanor saw the pair of Spotted Flycatchers in trees near to Beck Dairy (Cottesbrooke) again today and found another pair at Haselbech Grange. Fiona hosted two Broad-bodied Chasers in her garden, initially posing very nicely.
Regards
Neil M
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| Scarce Chaser courtesy of Cathy Ryden. |
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| River Welland near Gretton. |
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| River Welland at Harringworth. |
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| Railway line viaduct at Harringworth. |
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| Broad-bodied Chaser |
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| Red Kite |
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| Banded Demoiselle. |
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| Banded Demoiselle eating a Mayfly. |
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