A very hot Sunday

Hello

A more modest ringing session took place at Harrington Airfield eary this morning, the heat of the day ensuring it was a great deal shorter than usual. Forty-five birds were processed, the majority being new birds and including two Lesser Whitethroats, thirteen Common Whitethroats, a few Blackcaps, Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs. Two of the Willow Warblers were first ringed in 2019, an adult in the April of that year and a juvenile from the August. Other birds encountered included six Swallows; the Marbled Whites were in good form and other butterflies included Gatekeepers and Small Skippers. A reeling Grasshopper Warbler was reported later and yesterday Pete Gilbert photographed several Six-belted Clearwing Moths on-site.

Yesterday an Osprey was seen in flight over Fermyn Wood in the afternoon and today two Cattle Egrets were on the main pit at Stanwick Pits. A first summer Caspian Gull was reported off the A5 at pools near Lilbourne late this morning and excellent garden birding in a Pitsford village garden saw a female Common Redstart mobbing a Little Owl with other birds this morning.

At Salcey Forest there were five Purple Emperors and a few Purple Hairstreaks active today.

Regards

Neil M

Six-belted Clearwing moths
courtesy of Pete Gilbert.

Whimbrel courtesy of
Dave Jackson.

Red-necked Phalarope courtesy
of Dave Jackson.