Common Redstarts, butterflies and Hedgehog

Hello

A grey, breezy but yet humid day gave way to sunshine on a few occasions with butterflies showing each time the sun shone, but they were mostly absent during the dull times.

The Fermyn Wood complex provided great views of Purple Emperor in the morning but they pretty much disappeared during the afternoon. Three White Admirals and a Silver-washed Fritillary were in rides between the country park and the main wood. Marbled Whites were common but mobile in Fermyn Wood Country Park.

This morning there were at least four Common Redstarts in a roving tit/warbler flock at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell from the footpath that leads from Blueberry Lodge up to Blueberry Hill. One of the Redstarts was a moulting male and at least two of the others were juveniles, suggesting a mobile family unit.

A Spotted Flycatcher was again in Hanging Houghton village and two Yellow-legged Gulls were off the dam at Pitsford Reservoir this evening.

At Earls Barton Pits today waders were visible on the Hardwater Lake and also the Summer Leys reserve and included four Black-tailed Godwits, four Little Ringed Plovers, two Common Sandpipers plus a Great White Egret.

Regards

Neil M

Purple Emperor today at Fermyn
Wood courtesy of Fiona Barclay.
The first image is of the butterfly
on Fiona's shoulder!

Small Tortoiseshell courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Hedgehog in the front
garden this evening.