Sunshine produces the insects

Hello

It was my turn to be guided as I joined company with Fiona Barclay for an extended wander around the Fermyn Wood complex today including Lady and Souther Wood. Initially it was very dull and cloudy and the first couple of hours didn't produce much in the way of interesting sightings. We did come across a family party of Spotted Flycatchers in Fermyn Wood but for a long while the only butterflies on offer were slow-moving Ringlets! Swifts and Red Kites were patrolling the skies and Skylarks and a Yellow Wagtail sang from the large pea field between the woods. Marsh Tit 'sneezed' from the woodland and Nuthatches were vocally active and it was possible to hear Blackcap and Garden Warbler youngsters begging for food. A couple of Hummingbird Hawk-moths were pleasant distractions.

Fiona skillfully found a single Black Hairstreak being a little wind-blown on some Blackthorn in Lady Wood and we began to find other aspects of wildlife including a Southern Hawker and Fallow Deer. By mid-morning there was warmth in the air and we saw a Purple Emperor briefly in the canopy of some ash trees, noting a single Pyramidal Orchid in the verge below. Shortly after this the sunshine dappled through and the butterflies emerged and we saw a variety of common species and good numbers of male Purple Emperors, many of them on the tracks. Purple Hairstreaks became visible and odonata included Blue Emperor, Brown Hawker, Black-tailed Skimmer and a posing Broad-bodied Chaser.

Marbled Whites were visible today at Fermyn Wood, Blueberry Farm (Maidwell), Hanging Houghton and Lamport Hall.

A Birdguides report indicates a possible Quail was seen in flight at Harrington Airfield this morning over an oat field near to the road.

At Stanford Reservoir a Quail was heard calling for a short time this morning and a Black-tailed Godwit was there briefly before flying SW. Other birds included a Hobby, four Common Sandpipers, two Little Egrets, the Wigeon still and two Cetti's Warblers.

Regards

Neil M

Black Hairstreak.

Pyramidal Orchid.

Red Admiral.

Purple Emperor.

Broad-bodied Chaser.

Purple Hairstreak.