The Welland Valley

Hello

I spent some time today alongside the upper reaches of the River Welland in Market Harborough and latterly downstream at Gretton and briefly at Cottingham. I didn't manage to see any Otters on my travels but in Market Harborough the river is shallow and accessible and I was able to photograph three species of fish and crayfish (presumed Red Signal Crayfish) and saw a Grey Wagtail and odonata that included Blue Emperor, a few Banded Demoiselle and Emerald Damselfly.

Further down at Cottingham there were rather more Banded Demoiselles and two Green Sandpipers.

A walk alongside the river at Gretton Weir provided sightings of a Common Redstart, a juvenile Cuckoo and two Ravens plus a Grey Wagtail and odonata included Banded Demoiselle, Brown Hawker and White-legged Damselfly.

Yesterday (Sunday) and David Arden again saw the juvenile Marsh Harrier north of the causeway at Pitsford Reservoir plus a Grey Wagtail and a Lesser Emperor in the Holcot Bay, and I noted a Common Sandpiper and a Yellow-legged Gull in the evening. Today (Monday) and birds at the south end of the reservoir included four Yellow-legged Gulls, two Ravens and a Kingfisher.

A juvenile Marsh Harrier, two Whinchats and at least one Clouded Yellow butterfly were in the Brampton Valley between Hanging Houghton and Blueberry Farm today.

Summer Leys LNR sported a Great White Egret, a Common Redstart (railway track), a Greenshank and a Common Sandpiper.

A Raspberry Clearwing moth was attracted to a pheromone lure at Cogenhoe today.

Regards

Neil M

Brown Rat.

Presumed 'Red Signal' Crayfish.

Minnows.

Dace.

Emerald Damselfly.

White-legged Damselfly.

Grey Wagtail.

Juvenile Cuckoo.