Pitsford Day Tour and Greens Norton ringing

Hello

A cloudy but humid day at Pitsford Reservoir as we completed another Naturetrek day tour of the reserve. Specimens of moths on show following overnight trapping included Tree Lichen Beauty, The Drinker and three species of Hawk-moth. Large dragonflies on the wing included Brown Hawker, Southern Hawker, Blue Emperor and Migrant Hawker with the smaller ones being mostly Ruddy and Common Darters.

Sixteen species of Butterfly were on show including at least one Purple Hairstreak. The best of the birds in the Scaldwell Bay were two Red-crested Pochard, a Yellow-legged Gull, a Green Sandpiper and a Common Sandpiper.

Eleanor saw a Common Redstart at Blueberry Farm today (in hedgerow at the bottom of Hill Field) and a Hobby and several groups of Clouded Yellows between there and the Brampton Valley Way.

Interesting insects at the MOD section of Yardley Chase included a Clouded Yellow, 13 Wood Whites and a Purple Hairstreak.

Chris Payne completed some ringing near Greens Norton and among more common fare caught a Sparrowhawk, a Kingfisher, two Lesser Whitethroats, a Reed Warbler, four Willow Warblers, six Chiffchaffs and three Blackcaps.

Regards

Neil M

Juvenile Swallow.

Juvenile Blackcap.

Lesser Whitethroat.

Lesser Whitethroat.

Sparrowhawk.

All images courtesy of
Chris Payne.