Late surge of butterflies and odonata

Hello

Birds of interest at Stanford Reservoir saw the Red-crested Pochard flock increase to six birds, two Pintails, a Common Sandpiper, a Hobby and a Cetti's Warbler. Ringers operating at the reservoir this morning ringed another huge total of 367 new birds, this following 193 new birds ringed yesterday, demonstrating the sheer number of passerine migrants passing through there.

A much more humble ringing session at Pitsford Reservoir this morning however didn't fail on quality with forty-six birds processed by one ringer around the Old Scaldwell Road Feeding Station which included ten Chiffchaffs, a Goldcrest, two Sedge Warblers, four Reed Warblers, a Lesser Whitethroat, fifteen Blackcaps and a Meadow Pipit. A Great White Egret and a Kingfisher and a Raven were in the Walgrave Bay with Willow Emerald Damselflies amongst other odonata on show in the shelter of Christies Copse. Two Ravens were on the outskirts of Scaldwell village and a Grey Wagtail was at Hanging Houghton.

Willow Emerald Damselflies seem to have very much colonised much of Northamptonshire during the last few years and eleven were seen at Sywell Country Park this afternoon. This sunny weather seems to be providing a late fling of butterflies after such an awful season and there are plenty of Large Whites, Red Admirals, Speckled Woods and Commas on the wing. Concentrations of Small Coppers have shown very well on the grassy banks of the dams at both of Pitsford and Ravensthorpe Reservoirs the last couple of days.

At Stanwick Pits today the best birds noted were two Cattle Egrets, an adult Caspian Gull, five Yellow-legged Gulls and a Black-tailed Godwit. Just down the road at Titchmarsh Reserve at Thrapston there was an adult Yellow-legged Gull, three Dunlin and a Hobby.

Birds in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton today included four Whinchats, two Stonechats and two Ravens and there were two Ring-necked Parakeets yesterday.

Regards

Neil M

Long-tailed Tits.

Jay courtesy of
Tony Stanford.

Chiffchaff courtesy of
Robin Gossage.

Male Bullfinch courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Male Greenfinch courtesy 
of Robin Gossage. Locally
 they appear to have enjoyed a
very productive breeding season.