Sun and warmth

Hello

A sunny warm day was much appreciated and the forthcoming week looks settled with some warm spells.

A little ringing at Pitsford Reservoir first thing this morning provided a few captures which included a Sand Martin already bearing a ring. It transpires that this bird was first ringed in July last year as a juvenile in East Sussex between Winchelsea and Rye. The distance between the two sites is 191km but of course these small birds are always on the wing and this youngster would have been to Africa and back during the 334 days that have elapsed since first ringed.

The early morning sunshine brought forth plenty of insects in the Scaldwell Meadows at Pitsford Reservoir with reasonable numbers of Meadow Browns finally and also Common Blue butterfly and Chimney Sweeper moths.

Two Spotted Flycatchers were at the small copse on the Brampton Valley Way below Hanging Houghton this morning, the first time they have been seen there this year.

A drake Garganey was at Stanford Reservoir today where there was also a female Goosander and two Cuckoos. A Ruddy Shelduck was at Eyebrook Reservoir this morning and the Wood Warbler was still singing at Harry's Park Wood.

Regards

Neil M

Silver Y moth
courtesy of David Arden.

Garden Warbler.

Juvenile Chiffchaff.

Above three images
courtesy of Tony Stanford.

Male Yellow Dung Fly
courtesy of Robin Gossage.

Red-legged Robber Fly
with prey courtesy of
Robin Gossage.