Insect-fest

Hello

The very hot and mostly still conditions continue and this has really boosted the number of insects active day and night.

Eleanor found two Common Redstarts at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell early this morning and a Barn Owl was hunting the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this evening.

Stanwick Pits hosted two Cattle Egrets and a Garganey this morning and birds at Thrapston Pits included an Osprey, a Great White Egret and a Green Sandpiper. A Siskin was noted in Bucknell Wood this evening.

The usual build up of moulting ducks at Pitsford Reservoir is mostly made up of Gadwall, Mallard, Tufted Duck and smaller numbers of Pochard and there is a Goldeneye there somewhere. There has been an influx of Little Egrets during the last couple of weeks and Yellow-legged Gulls are moving through in small numbers with a lingering second summer bird there this afternoon. The water level is beginning to drop now (perhaps evaporation is now playing a part) but there is still little room for waders, with just Lapwings and a single Common Sandpiper seen today.

Regards

Neil M

Just-fledged juvenile
Common Buzzard.

Acorn Weevil.

Black Slug of the
red variant.

Harlequin exiting pupae.

Ruptela maculata.

Tacina Grossa.

All insect images courtesy
of Robin Gossage.