Me, my camera and a few butterflies

Hello

I visited the Fermyn Wood complex today, spending just over four hours around Fermyn, Lady and Souther Woods admiring the butterflies and other creatures, particularly during the first couple of hours with strong sunshine. The Silver-washed Fritillaries were probably the stars of the show, flying around at super speeds but also feeding on bramble flowers and allowing close approaches. There was at least one of the 'valezina' form in Fermyn. Several White Admirals were also whizzing around and also have a fondness for bramble flowers and although Purple Emperors were seen I failed to confirm one. Purple Hairstreaks were particularly numerous, particularly in Fermyn and a long list of common butterflies put in fine performances. Hummingbird Hawk-moths were busy and there were several other day-flying moths about. Three Common Lizards were showing on a log pile and birds included a Spotted Flycatcher. Odonata included Blue Emperor, Southern Hawker and Brown Hawker.

I subsequently visited Fineshade and spent about an hour on the southern outskirts of the wood near to the old railway line and Top Lodge. Here also there were Silver-washed Fritillaries and a couple of White Admirals and other butterflies included at least ten Marbled Whites. A Slow worm was a nice find.

A visit to nearby Blatherwycke Lake coincided with an Otter fishing in the southern section and birds noted included three broods of Gadwall, four Little Egrets, a Kingfisher, two Mandarin Ducks, a first summer Hobby and a Black Swan. Odonata included Blue Emperor and Banded Demoiselle. Deene Lake attracted four Green Sandpipers, a Little Egret and a Black Swan plus Brown Hawker and Banded Demoiselle.

A quick return to Fermyn later yielded a couple of fast-flying canopy butterflies that were either White Admiral or Purple Emperor but they were quickly away before I identified them.

Dave James did well to find a late Black Hairstreak butterfly at Stonepit Close, Old Sulehay today.

Eleanor took a walk around Harlestone Heath today and saw two Spotted Flycatchers just inside the A428 entrance and two Siskins within the complex. A female/immature Common Redstart was at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell. A Barn Owl was between Scaldwell village and Hanging Houghton this evening.

Adrian saw a warbler briefly early this morning at Weekley Wood Avenue, Kettering which could have been a Dartford Warbler but unfortunately the bird wasn't seen again. There was negative news from Lilbourne with respect to the Pectoral Sandpiper of the last two days.

Nine Black-tailed Godwits and two Common Sandpipers were at the Summer Leys LNR this evening and birds at Stanford Reservoir included a Curlew, seven Common Sandpipers, a Great White Egret, four Little Egrets, a Hobby and three Cetti's Warblers.

Regards

Neil M

Silver-washed Fritillary.

Silver-washed Fritillary
of the 'valezina' form.

Comma.

Common Lizards.

White Admiral.

Banded Demoiselle.

Migrants and breeders

Hello

A pair of Spotted Flycatchers and a pair of mobile Hobbies have both been active around the village at Hanging Houghton today. It seems likely that the flycatchers have probably failed at their first breeding effort and are eyeing up another spot to have a second attempt. It could be that the same thing has happened to the Hobbies as they have been vocal and very much together on and off during the day. Yesterday evening it was possible to hear vocal Kestrel, Hobby, Little and Tawny Owl around the village.

It would seem that yesterday's Pectoral Sandpiper at Lilbourne was the wader first thought to be a Temminck's Stint - in any event the Pectoral Sandpiper was still in the Lilbourne reserve area early this afternoon before being lost in flight.

At Hollowell Reservoir today Adrian spotted the very long-staying female Ruddy Shelduck and an Osprey and discovered a huge colony of over a hundred Marbled White butterflies mostly at the east end of the dam and nearby copse.

A male Common Redstart and a Barn Owl were at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell this morning and a family of Spotted Flycatchers were in Cottesbrooke village. At Harrington Airfield it was possible to see over a dozen Marbled White butterflies, a good mix of common butterflies including three species of skipper, Common Blue and Gatekeeper and birds included adult and juvenile Lesser Whitethroats and a pair of Grey Partridge. Mullein and Cinnabar Moth caterpillars were quite easy to locate.

Elsewhere and a 'valezina' form of Silver-washed Fritillary was seen at Southwick Wood and one lucky person had a Dark Green Fritillary visit them in their Barton Seagrave garden! Up to five Purple Emperors were at Salcey Forest accessible from the Horsebox car park and four more were seen in Bucknell Wood. The nectar strips and headlands at Lamport Hall is supporting large numbers of common butterflies including Painted Ladies, Red Admirals, Commas and Marbled Whites and a couple of foxes and Brown Hares were active there too.

An amazing total of thirteen Redshanks at Stanford Reservoir was significant evidence of post-breeding migration today and there was also a Green Sandpiper present plus three Little Egrets, a Cuckoo, a brood of Tufted Duck ducklings, two Hobbies and four Cetti's Warblers.

Regards

Neil M

Bee Orchid courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Mediterranean Gull courtesy
of Jim Dunkley.

Rooftop Sparrowhawk
courtesy of Jim Dunkley.

Summer nature events

Hello

Members of the Northants Ringing Group provided a Ringing Demonstration today at Howe Park Wood in Milton Keynes, as part of the Parks Trust Nature Day It seems like the weather was much more summery and dryer than the weather experienced further north in Northamptonshire. The event was very well attended with a variety of displays and events celebrating the nature to be found on land and reserves managed by the Parks Trust. The ringing team processed a variety of species including six Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Nuthatch, tits and other common birds. Perhaps the most unusual capture was that of a Hornet Clearwing moth in one of the mist nets and this was carefully and skillfully extracted by Laura and apparently a new species for the site.

This morning a Barn Owl was in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and there was a Spotted Flycatcher again in the village plus a Hobby both this evening.

Perhaps as a result of the heavy spells of rain in the county today, Lilbourne Meadows and the A5 pools adjacent to the reserve was the place to be this afternoon with records of a male Common Redstart, a Temminck's Stint and a Pectoral Sandpiper - a proper mid summer purple patch!

Birds at Stanford Reservoir today included a juvenile Kingfisher caught and ringed, two Hobbies, two Oystercatchers and a Wigeon.

Regards

Neil M

Today's Hornet Clearwing Moth.

Small Skipper.

Painted Lady.

Elephant Hawk-moth.

A little passage

Hello

A little bit of bird passage evident today with a few transient individuals as part of post-breeding migration and relocation.

A probable Purple Emperor and multiple Hummingbird Hawk-moths were around the Fishing Lodge at Pitsford Reservoir today and birds in the Scaldwell Bay included a Great White Egret and a Yellow-legged Gull. A Gatekeeper was noted amongst the many Meadow Browns and Ringlets.

Purple Emperors were also on show at the traditional spot in the Fermyn Wood complex and birds on show in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this morning included two Crossbills in flight towards Cottesbrooke, a Hobby, two Grey Wagtails and a pair of Grey Partridges. A Hummingbird Hawk-moth was in the village at Hanging Houghton and nearby there were six Marbled White and four Painted Lady butterflies at Lamport Hall.

At Sywell Country Park this afternoon there were a pair of Spotted Flycatchers in the usual spot behind the dam, two Grey Wagtails, a Cetti's Warbler and a brood of Tufted Ducks plus a few Marbled Whites, Commas, Red Admirals and Painted Lady butterflies.

Yesterday evening and six Green Sandpipers and a possible Wood Sandpiper were noted at Lilbourne Meadows and today waders included a Common Sandpiper at Summer Leys LNR and a Green Sandpiper and a Dunlin at Hollowell Reservoir.

Regards

Neil M

Purple Emperor at Fermyn
today courtesy of David Arden.

Blackbird courtesy of
Robin Gossage.

Carder Bee courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Baby Coot courtesy
of Robin Gossage. Any
similarity with the photographer
is simply coincidental!

More wildlife encounters

Hello

Super and interesting weather today with a weak front moving over us and the air temperature changing quite a bit, but with plenty of warm sunshine, particularly this morning.

David Arden took one of his regular walks around the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Reservoir today enjoying the plentiful wildlife on offer which included a Green Sandpiper, Marbled White butterflies and a close encounter with a young Fox!

The county moth enthusiasts have been busy with their moth traps with a huge variety of species being caught and the butterflies in the county have remained interesting with Silver-washed Fritillaries and White Admirals on show at Glapthorn Cow Pastures yesterday.

A Common Sandpiper was present at Welford Reservoir today.

A bird ringing session was completed at Stortons Pits today and successfully yielded over seventy captures of twenty species with the catch including four Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler, seventeen Reed Warblers, four Sedge Warblers, seven Cetti's Warblers, a Garden Warbler, four Blackcaps and a Lesser Whitethroat. No less than five Water Rails were encountered which included adults and chicks.

A Nuthatch, a rare bird on-site, was with the tit flock and very fresh butterflies included Comma and Red Admiral.

Regards

Neil M

Marbled White.

Green Sandpiper.

Tufted Duck with ducklings.

Black-headed Gulls.

Red Fox!

All above images taken
by David Arden at Pitsford
Reservoir today.

Reed Warbler.

Cetti's Warbler.

Water Rail chick.

Adult Water Rail.
Above four images from
Stortons Pits today.

The next generation

Hello

A Black-tailed Godwit was seen at Hollowell Reservoir today, possibly another returning wader after a failed breeding attempt and following in the footsteps (or wingbeats) of Green Sandpipers and Lapwings as being a typical mid-summer mover.

A visit to Harrington Airfield this afternoon provided a view of a Hobby disturbing the nearby colony of Swallows and at least thirty Marbled White butterflies were whizzing around together with both Small and Essex Skippers, Common Blue and fresh Red Admirals and Commas amongst the more common fare.

Up to eighteen Purple Emperor butterflies were on view at Fermyn Wood today so this seems to be the optimum time to visit! Two Silver-washed Fritillaries, Marbled White and Beautiful Demoiselles were the pick of the bunch of insects at Finedon Pocket Park today.

An Osprey was seen to fly south at Islip this evening.

Regards

Neil M

More juvenile Water Rail
images courtesy of John Boland.
There are at least two generations
of chicks wandering around the
reed-beds of the Nene Valley!

A juvenile Black-headed Gull
at Pitsford Reservoir yesterday -
another unsure youngster starting
out on life!

A pair of Scarlet Tiger moths
in cop at Hanging Houghton
courtesy of Fiona Barclay.

Meadow Brown butterfly.

Large Skipper butterfly.

Beautiful Demoiselle.

Ruddy Darter.
Above four images taken
at Pitsford Reservoir yesterday.

Born to fish

Hello

I spent the morning on the reserve at Pitsford Reservoir in preparation for some ringing on-site next month all being well.

A first summer Caspian Gull was mobile and an adult Yellow-legged Gull was frequenting the buoys. Waterfowl included nine Pochard and in excess of a hundred Gadwall; a couple of Little Egrets were about too.

Odonata included Black-tailed Skimmer, Beautiful Demoiselle, Ruddy Darter, Large Red Damselfly and Large Red-eyed Damselfly and there were good numbers of Marbled White butterflies in the meadows despite the strong wind.

A Golden Oriole was reported in the north-east of the county today 'on the back road out of Oundle past Glapthorn and Cotterstock crossroads heading towards Perio Barn Farm'.

Regards

Neil M

Two squabbling Kingfishers
courtesy of Cathy Ryden.

These two Osprey nestlings
were ringed in the Midlands today.

Moths, butterflies and missing orchids

Hello

This morning there was a vocal Raven in Hanging Houghton and a Hummingbird-hawk Moth was briefly in our garden. At lunchtime both the male and female Sparrowhawks visited the garden on raiding parties and the male came back again later, each time it seems without catching anything.

This afternoon an excursion to Harrington Airfield didn't provide any birds of interest but unfortunately it seems that someone has dug up and removed one of the Bee Orchid colonies. Thirty-five Marbled Whites were showing well there and other butterflies included fresh Commas, Painted Ladies, Large and Essex Skippers and day-flying moths included burnets, Burnet Companion and Latticed Heath. Caterpillars included Mullein Moth and Peacock butterfly.

This evening the light conditions were superb and with the drop in the wind it was definitely the best part of the day. A Barn Owl was showing nicely in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton.

Elsewhere and there was an adult Yellow-legged Gull off the dam at Pitsford Reservoir, a Green Sandpiper again on the Titchmarsh reserve at Thrapston Pits and at Welford Reservoir a pair of Spotted Flycatchers, two Grey Wagtails with a Little Egret at neighbouring Sulby Reservoir.

Regards

Neil M

Latticed Heath.

It may be June but our
garden Goldfinches are still
enjoying the niger seed...

...but there are at least some
that prefer the sunflower hearts!

Bright and breezy

Hello

A breezy but warm day with a few threatening grey periods (showers forecast for some of tomorrow) made for pleasant weather.

A wander around the Kelmarsh Estate this morning provided two new summering/breeding sites for Spotted Flycatchers. Already there are mixed tit flocks of juvenile birds wandering the hedges and copses.

Hummingbird Hawk-moths and Scarlet Tiger Moths seem to be on the wing in the county in good numbers currently with many enthusiasts finding a variety of clearwing moths coming to lures including several Lunar Hornet Clearwings.

Today there was Purple Emperor, Silver-washed Fritillary and White Admiral butterflies all on show at Fermyn Wood with a Purple Emperor and Marbled Whites also at Ring Haw. Purple Hairstreaks were seen at Bucknell Wood today.

A few die-hard birders are still out there and a Pink-footed Goose was an unseasonal find at Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows Reserve today (on Dragonfly Lake) and a Common Sandpiper was at Summer Leys LNR.

Regards

Neil M

Mullein Moth caterpillar.

Maidenhair Spleenwort.

Large Red Damselfly
courtesy of Robin Gossage.

Common Buzzard courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Still time for a summer rarity

Hello

A pair of Spotted Flycatchers in the village at Hanging Houghton are acting pensive and it appears have a nest and the hordes of  juvenile Starlings continue to raid the bird feeders in the garden (one of them was caught by a male Sparrowhawk yesterday evening).

It would appear that many of the Black-headed Gull colonies in the county have had a productive year with flying juveniles in good numbers at Thrapston Pits and Pitsford Reservoir. A Green Sandpiper was on the Titchmarsh reserve at Thrapston today.

It may seem relatively quiet for migrant birds at this time of the year but in actual fact this can be a useful time to pick up on a summer off-shoot or nomadic wanderer. Bob Bullock heard a Bee-eater flying over Clifford Hill Pits the other day and this far-ranging species could just about turn up anywhere. Currently up to six of these stunning birds are attempting to breed at a site in Norfolk this year. Another nomadic summer wanderer is the Rose-coloured or Rosy Starling with a couple of recent county records and there are a few in the country at the moment. Caspian Terns cover large distances very quickly and can take in several sites within a few hours of each other and a couple of these massive terns with a huge world range are known to be wandering the UK presently. Rare swifts, Honey Buzzards and unusual waders are all possible finds at this time of the year.

So as many birders take to the insects (and why not) during the summer, keep looking up and listen attentively for something a little different in the avian world.

I have created another page or tab entitled Norway June 2022 and posted a few images and will add images a I receive them from contributors.

Regards

Neil M

Eurasian Bee-eater.

Caspian Tern.

Rosy or Rose-coloured Starling.

Farming and Conservation Day Tour at Eyebrook

Hello

Today saw the last of the season Naturetrek day tours at Rectory Farm, Great Easton courtesy of the Johnson family. Fay, Phil and Sue spent time with us today explaining the history of this 'just over the border' Leicestershire farm and nearby landmarks as well as explaining the philosophy of combined modern farming and conservation and how the two can work together. We took a wander around the fields of this medium-sized farm which cultivates a variety of crops and supports a small flock of sheep too. Initially it was rather grey and breezy but remained mostly warm and the sun broke through this afternoon. After some home-made cake and scones and tea we finished the day scanning over the adjacent Eyebrook Reservoir.

Two Ospreys were on view initially and we subsequently saw one on a few occasions, at one stage this afternoon it landed in some shallow water at the reservoir and enjoyed a sustained wash before sitting up in a tree. Red Kites are a constant -  wheeling, gliding and soaring all around throughout the day and of course the local Common Buzzards were about too. An early brood of Swallows were on the wing and House Martins were collecting mud in the farmyard in a patch designed for them. A Pied Wagtail was sitting on five eggs in the underside of a vehicle undergoing repair in one of the sheds and a Spotted Flycatcher was in nearby limes.

Skylarks are particularly numerous on this farm with many hovering and singing above all the cereal fields and there are plenty of Yellowhammers and just a few Tree Sparrows. We saw a Yellow Wagtail take food in to a barley field where presumably there was a nest and a Grey Wagtail was at the reservoir. Little Egrets were seen over the fields and at Eyebrook Reservoir where there was also a Great White Egret, a Yellow-legged Gull and an Egyptian Goose. A singing Lesser Whitethroat declined to show itself and our only views of Brown Hares were distant.

Day-flying moths included Six-spot Burnet, Burnet Companion, Grass-veneer and Yellow Shell and active butterflies were made up of Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large White, Green-veined White, Small Tortoiseshell, Large Skipper and Painted Lady with Peacock caterpillars noted on nettles.

Regards

Neil M

House Martins
collecting mud and straw.

Ragged Robin.

Ewe and lamb.

Cornflower.

Peacock butterfly caterpillars
on nettles - all above images
taken on the Naturetrek Day Tour
today.

Seven of the eight Red Arrows
distantly over Hanging Houghton
this evening.