More images from the West Highlands

Hello

Some time spent at Harrington Airfield this morning provided views of Turtle Dove and a reasonable number of Linnets, Whitethroats and Willow Warblers which included juvenile birds. Of the butterflies, Small Copper and Marbled White were probably the best.

With numerous trips away this spring I am still formatting images and the following come from two weeks in May when I was fortunate to again be on the Ardnamurchan Peninsular on the west side of Scotland, from which we undertook a couple of boat trips on the Hebridean Sea to the Treshnish Islands...

Regards

Neil M

Juvenile Song Thrush.

A standard sheep fence is
no real obstacle for a Red Deer!

Kittiwake.

Otter with prey.

Treecreeper.

Adult Song Thrush.

Turnstone.

Red Deer.

More ringing recoveries

Hello

Two Turtle Doves were still present at Harrington Airfield this afternoon and at Pitsford Reservoir the Spotted Flycatchers by the Fishing Lodge now have youngsters. Autumnal birds by the Sailing Club this afternoon included two adult Common Gulls and there was also two Yellow-legged Gulls (adult and an early juvenile).

Three ringing recoveries have been received as follows:-

1. An adult male Black-headed Gull was ringed in Germany at a place called Inseln Bohmke und Werder on 21st May 2017 and was then seen in the field at Pitsford Reservoir by Dave Jackson on 19th January this year;

2. A juvenile Reed Warbler was ringed at Stanford Reservoir on 31st July 2015 and this bird was trapped in a mist net at Stortons Pits on 24th June this year when identified as an adult male. 1059 days elapsed between the two captures and although the two sites are only 24km from each other this bird will have travelled to and wintered somewhere in Africa during the last three winters;

3. An adult Collared Dove was caught and ringed at Greens Norton on 1st April 2014 and was found freshly dead at Greens Norton on 14th June this year. In stark contrast to the Reed Warbler, it is likely that the dove rarely left Greens Norton during the last four years!

Regards

Neil M

The Black-headed Gull
as seen and photographed
by Dave Jackson.

More images from Norway

Hello

A few more images from the trip to Norway last month...

Regards

Neil M

Male Whinchat.

Moskenes, Lofoten Isles.

Kittiwake.

Common Gull.

Preening Magpie.

Hooded Crow.

Bluethroat.

Oystercatcher and Fieldfare
on fish drying racks.

Fishing boat and gulls.

Sperm Whale.

Arctic Skua.

Puffin.

Delaware Shorebirds

Hello

Neil Hasdell was at Salcey Forest yesterday (Saturday) and notched up 18 species of butterfly which included plenty of Silver-washed Fritillaries and White Admirals and a single Painted Lady. Spotted Flycatchers seemingly on territory were at Salcey and also Fermyn yesterday.

Eleanor's meanderings around Blueberry Farm and the Brampton Valley this evening was light on birds of interest but the mammals were good with Roe Deer, Red Fox and diurnal foraging Badgers.

In May this year Cathy Ryden spent a tough three weeks of very long days in Delaware, USA monitoring the east coast migration and stop-over of New World shorebirds (which we call waders). 
British conservationists and ringers team up with American enthusiasts and other nationalities in an effort to count the birds as they pass through and/or feed on the rich pickings. Some of the birds are ringed and 'flagged' so that their movements can be mapped.

One of the reasons why these birds gather here is because this is an area where Horseshoe Crabs gather to spawn and the beaches are full of crab eggs which are especially nutritious and just the job when you are on your way much further north to breed! The following images from Cathy are a snapshot of this 'shorebirds extravaganza'!

Regards

Neil M

Add caption

Fermyn insects

Hello

Yesterday (Friday) Eric and Nick Parker spent time at Thrapston Pits, locating a Hobby, an Oystercatcher and singles of Green and Common Sandpiper.

A number of observers spent time today at Fermyn Wood Country Park, Fermyn Wood itself and Lady's Wood too. There were plenty of butterflies on the wing but only a few individuals of Purple Emperor and White Admiral and they were generally elusive. Easier to see were plenty of Silver-washed Fritillaries and a considerable hatch of Purple Hairstreaks. Marbled Whites were in the Country Park and common species included plenty of Essex Skippers and Commas.

Dragonflies included Blue Emperor, Brown Hawker, Southern Hawker, Broad-bodied Chaser, Four Spotted Chaser and Ruddy Darter plus four species of damselfly.

Two Ravens were noted near Hollowell today and Ravensthorpe Reservoir this evening provided views of Grass Snakes, two family parties of Mute Swan and a brood of Tufted Duck.

Regards

Neil M

Four spotted Chaser.

Purple Hairstreak.

Broad-bodied Chaser.

Silver-washed Fritillary.

Essex Skipper.

Peacock.

Ruddy Darter.

Birds of the heat!

Hello

A visit to Harrington Airfield this afternoon provided dividends with the sighting of a 'cream crown' Marsh Harrier (perhaps the Pitsford bird) and at least two Turtle Doves (one 'purring') and four adult Grey Partridges.

A ringing session at Lamport Hall this evening provided 45 captures made up of a Pied Wagtail, two Swallows, thirty-five House Martins and seven Swifts. One of the Swifts was first caught and ringed there last year and five of the House Martins were initially ringed last year and in 2016.

Regards

Neil M

Turtle Dove
courtesy of Robin Gossage.

Marsh Harrier
courtesy of Robin Gossage.

House Martin.

Swift.