It's hot but there's plenty to see!

Hello

A particularly hot day with afternoon temperatures soaring above 30C.

Little Owls were heard calling at Clifford Hill Pits and Hanging Houghton today - their numbers might be depleted but they are hanging on in there!

The two juvenile Common Redstarts were still at Clifford Hill Pits today, in bushes on the west side near buildings and continuing to show well (hopefully some images on the blog tomorrow). Other birds included a Common Sandpiper, Grey Partridges with three young and a Hobby.

An eBird report of a Hawfinch was noted at Fermyn Woods Country Park, a former county site for them.

Two Peregrines were atop Kings Sutton church spire this afternoon.

At Pitsford Reservoir there was still a Dunlin north of the causeway this morning with two this evening, and a Silver-washed Fritillary and two Great White Egrets were on the reserve. Big gulls were coming and going near the dam this afternoon and at one point there were five Yellow-legged Gulls present amongst the Lesser Black-backs. Two Lesser Emperor dragonflies were off the dam at the juncture with the Sailing Club grounds and two juvenile Ravens were foraging on the waterline.

Thirty young Sand Martins were ringed at the Pitsford Reservoir Sand Martin Box today, bringing the total this year to ninety, in a productive year at this site for the species.

Butterflies at Gamboro' Plantation included a Purple Emperor, two Silver-washed Fritillaries and a Clouded Yellow and two Spotted Flycatchers were there too. A single Spotted Flycatcher was at Hanging Houghton village this evening and the Quail was very vocal in the Brampton Valley below the village between shrike hedge and Blueberry Farm, Maidwell.

Regards

Neil M

Black-headed Gull courtesy
of John Tilly.

Variations in the Gatekeeper.

Mutual preening is believed to be an
important part of pair-bonding in some
species. Here a pair of Carrion Crows that
 seemingly failed to breed successfully, appear
 to be involved in this preening, as they
 commence their annual moult.

Silver-washed Fritillary at Pitsford
Reservoir today courtesy of Tony Stanford.

A much-cropped image of a Lesser Emperor
at Pitsford Reservoir today.