Still no real rain in the forecast

Hello

Another quiet day in the county. I've been in North Norfolk the last two days and there is clearly some heavy passage of waders currently, a large post-breeding dispersal of gulls and hirundines and with Swifts on the move along the coast.

Locally and the returning colour-ringed Caspian Gull is already settled it seems at Naseby Reservoir and the two Garganey remain on the scrape at Summer Leys LNR.

A Juvenile Black-necked Grebe was at Stanford Reservoir, continuing the excellent run of sightings in the county this year.

Two or three Common Redstarts were at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell with another in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton. A juvenile Marsh Harrier was moving around the whole area.

A Grey Wagtail was at Pitsford Quarry and a recent sighting of a colour-ringed Mute Swan at Ditchford Pits confirms it is at least eighteen years old, first ringed at Wellingborough in 2010.

Clouded Yellow butterflies are still appearing in the county with six at Ring Haw today and two in Scaldwell Meadow at Pitsford Reservoir.

Regards

Neil M

Common Redstarts recently at
Honey Hill, Cold Ashby courtesy
of Stuart Munday.

Clouded Yellow and Hummingbird
Hawk-moth at Summerleys LNR today
courtesy of Tony Stanford.