Summer highlights

Hello

After three consecutive days of ringing and associated activity today was more of an admin day and catch up on other things. Because mist-netting is so weather-dependent and our weather seems to be so volatile and unsettled it's a case of exploiting opportunities when the conditions permit.

Yesterday (Sunday) afternoon and a Siskin paid a brief visit to our garden. This species is well known for rapid juvenile dispersal from the breeding areas.

Today (Monday) and a trundle around Harrington Airfield didn't provide much for me this morning but the assorted flowers along the strip between the chippings compound and Bunker One in particular look superb. Butterflies on the wing included unidentified skippers, Small Tortoiseshell, Ringlet, Meadow Brown and Small Heath.

Butterflies elsewhere included the first Purple Emperor of the year with one seen at Fermyn Woods this morning and Andrew Cook had a good session at Salcey Forest where there was Silver-washed Fritillary, White Admiral, Wood White, other common butterflies and a couple of Beautiful Demoiselles which seem to be having an excellent year. Marbled Whites were on the wing at Stortons Pits today.

Two Yellow-legged Gulls were off the dam at Pitsford Reservoir this evening, a third summer Caspian Gull was off the A5 on pools near Lilbourne this afternoon and a juvenile Marsh Harrier was well photographed at Thrapston Pits on the Titchmarsh reserve today.

Regards

Neil M

Osprey nestling.

Purple Emperor
courtesy of Robin Gossage.

Brown Hare courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Grey Heron courtesy
of Robin Gossage.