It's been a funny Friday!!

Despite being a very bitty day for me today it can be summed up with Fox cubs, Painted Ladies, Spotted Flycatchers and Northern Wheatears.    My early morning walk produced little of note,  just the resident birds and birds that I expect to find around the fields.    After my first round of errands/appointments I took Tor and Rouzel for a short walk over to Lamport Hall and this was far more productive,  a Spotted Flycatcher in Hanging Houghton and another near Lamport Hall.  The field margins are currently attracting good numbers of Painted Lady butterflies.  Yesterday I counted a minimum of 15 and there was a similar number today.                                                          After my second round of errands/jobs I grabbed Jaeger and Tystie and headed towards Blueberry area. More Painted Ladies. I counted at least 10. It was quiet for birds but I had an unexpected encounter with a family of foxes.  As I was walking along I saw what I thought was a  couple of small dogs ahead of me but when I looked through my binoculars I realised that they were fox cubs. Initially I  watched from a distance but slowly edged closer . I managed to tuck myself into the hedge and waited. Soon the vixen came out into the open followed by her cubs. It was quite a magical experience watching them explore and play without a care in the world. I  was incredibly close to them and they were unaware that I was sharing in their moment.  Both dogs were oblivious to what was going on.  Jaeger was having a siesta,  I would like to think that he was recharging himself ready for the busy competing weekend ahead. Whilst Tystie was completely focused on his tennis ball which was at his feet.               Finally my final walk this evening produced two male Northern Wheatears in a field between Hanging Houghton and Cottesbrooke.  I wasn't really expecting to see anything as the fields are incredibly dry and not as attractive as they were a few weeks ago.   So it has been a funny old day. 

It has been quiet in the county.  The drake Ring Necked Duck was at Stanford Reservoir again yesterday.  Two Bitterns, 3 Hobby and 1 or 2 Nightingales were at Thrapston GP yesterday and the same waders are dotted along the Nene Valley .

Have a good weekend 

Regards Eleanor 

Painted Lady butterfly.

Wheatear courtesy
of Neil Hasdell.

Red Fox courtesy
of the late David Arden.

Spotted Flycatcher courtesy
of Beth Clyne.