From spring to autumn!

Hello

A couple of quiet days for birding in the county and the weather hasn't been that useful for insects and other disciplines of wildlife! Nevertheless some local survey work has picked up on some additional pairs of Barn Owls and two pairs of Hobby on territory with their favoured trees ear-marked.

Ospreys continue to be seen regularly with more sightings at Hollowell, Pitsford and Stanford Reservoirs where the colour rings have often been read thanks to digital photography. Most of the birds are from the local Rutland scheme and indicate that the majority are roaming birds normally too young to breed. However these extra birds are clearly mapping the county hopefully with a view to breeding in the future.

At Harry's Park Wood it seems that the singing Wood Warbler is set to remain there for the season after being reported again today and a Sanderling was at Eyebrook Reservoir marking pretty much the end of spring wader migration. Indeed we are only a matter of days away when the first returning Black-tailed Godwits and Whimbrel from Iceland and failed breeding Green Sandpipers from the northern continent join the already finished breeding Lapwings and Curlews from the UK. Yes the autumn migration starts in late June, proof indeed that there is no such thing as summer!

Despite challenging conditions for butterflies, ardent observers have still tracked down Chequered Skippers, Black Hairstreaks and Wood Whites at their usual lairs in the county. With a little more warmth potentially this week-end there has to be an opportunity for the common butterflies to start emerging, although the showers may have adverse consequences for a large hatch.

Regards

Neil M

Kingfisher Upton CP
courtesy of Tony Stanford.

Mute Swan cygnets
courtesy of Tony Stanford.

Common Tern courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Dunlin and Curlew Sandpiper
courtesy of Robin Gossage.

Sedge Warbler courtesy
of Jane Neill.

Grey Wagtail courtesy
of Jane Neill.