Another quiet time for new birds in the county.  The Bearded Tit remains at Pitsford Reservoir and shows well in the reed bed next to the moth trap below the Lodge.  A Garganey turned up at Summer Leys today.  Other birds on the move seem to be Crossbills. On Sunday a Crossbill was reported from Stanford Reservoir, on Monday at Hollowell Reservoir and today at Pitsford Reservoir and Earls Barton.                                      Other birds reported over the last few days include Great White Egret at Hollowell and Summer Leys,  Common Sandpiper at Hollowell and Pitsford Reservoir,  Ruddy Shelduck at Winwick Pools, Yellow Legged Gull at Ravensthorpe Reservoir and Osprey at Hollowell Reservoir,  Summer Leys and Stanwick GP. 

Things are getting more interesting on the Butterfly,  Dragonfly and other flying insect front with the first Purple Emperor Butterfly for the county being recorded at Hazelborough Forest on Saturday (24th) . There have been a few Hummingbird Hawkmoths in people's gardens and also the attractive Scarlet Tiger Moths.  One Butterfly which seems to be having a good year is one of my favourites,  the Marbled White.  Up to 50 were seen at Gayton and I have seen good numbers at Harrington Airfield,  Pitsford Reservoir and Lamport area.

Plenty of fun and games in the garden with the antics of the young birds. We have a lot of young Starlings which are very noisy and funny to watch,  but they have competition now that the young Jackdaws have arrived and these are equally as noisy and comical to watch.  Added to the mix today were a family party of Great Spotted  Woodpeckers.  All watched from the comfort of the house !!

Regards Eleanor