Nuts About KP

 This morning Alan S and I made the relatively short cross border hop to the reserve at Rutland Water. Our target was a male Kentish Plover which has been hanging around Lagoon 4 for at least several days. In gloriously sunny and increasingly warm conditions we arrived before the centre had opened. Deciding to sneak in before the masses arrived we headed off towards the lagoon and the appropriately named Plover Hide from where the bird had been noted.

Glossy Ibis and Avocet

It took twenty minutes to reach the hide which turned out to be pretty quiet, we had already passed several other "sneakers" heading back towards the car park and their news was encouraging, the bird was showing albeit distantly. A lady birder in the hide was kind enough to let me see the bird in her scope and I had good though rather distant views. Happy, I left Shozzer and the bird behind and returned to the centre to obtain our permits. I returned to find that the bird had gone and had to content myself with distant views of a Glossy Ibis, rather a lot of Avocets as well as a flock of at least eight Sanderlings. With such insect friendly weather on offer we then opted to abandon Rutland and head back towards the hallowed soil of Northants,

Wood Whites

Fineshade Wood was our destination of choice with a view to finding a Chequered Skipper or two. Not for the first time our efforts met with failure though we enjoyed some good nature spotting and didn't feel that disappointed. Wood Whites were apparently introduced here in 2024 and last year I managed to see one. Clearly their fortunes have improved as we saw good numbers including several outside the wood itself. Best of the rest was my first Green Hairstreak of the year, views were brief though conclusive. Other species noted included Common and Holly Blues, Small Copper, G-V and Small Whites, Brimstone, Orange-tip, Small Heath and Speckled Wood. Other nature noted before we left included Raven, Common Lizard and Broad-bodied Chaser. Our day concluded at the Cross Keys in King's Cliffe where some serious rehydration occurred before we returned to Corby.

Small Copper and Small Copper

Skippers

 It's been quite difficult to catch up with some of the more interesting butterflies this spring as my days off often coincide with rubbish weather. Today things looked a little more promising and I opted to hop on to the X4 and head towards Priors Hall. Although the sunshine was still rationed to an extent there was just enough to achieve some good results.

Common Blue, Dingy and Grizzled Skippers

At the quarry lake a Little Egret joined the regular crew and at least one Great Crested Grebe was on view, will this be the year when we get our first site breeding record? Closer to the ponds a Common Blue butterfly was my first of the year, at least half a dozen were on the wing. Next up were Dingy and Grizzled Skippers with the former in particular present in good numbers. Also on view were a pair of smalls, Copper and Heath, and I had a fleeting glimpse of a probable Painted Lady. Around the ponds I saw my first Azure Damselflies of the year keeping company with some Large Reds. Several Chasers which I thought may well have been Four-spotteds were seen but not confirmed. As the cloud cover increased and insect activity diminished accordingly I decided to head back into Weldon and catch the bus back to Corby.

Small Copper, Azure and Large Red Damselfly

What On Earth Is A Woof Wag?

 Shozzer and I were a bit stuck for ideas this morning as the spring birding passage is gradually winding down and there were no obvious targets to aim for. As is was quite sunny early on we decided to visit Wicksteed Park in search of Variable Damselflies. Joining us in Wickies were the horde of weekly park runners though their admirable exertions did not affect our quest and we headed to the fishing lake feeling quite optimistic.

Variable Damselflies

Fortune favoured our efforts and we found quite a lot of Variables sheltering in waterside vegetation, Wickies continues to be the best site in the county for this species. Other odes in the general area were Hairy Dragonfly, Blue-tailed and Red-eyed Damselflies while the only butterfly was a Green-veined White. The only bird of note was a singing Cetti's Warbler and we didn't hang around for too long. On our way back to the car we saw a collection of tents and stalls as well as signs for a Woof Wag, the number of dogs suggested that it was a mutt related event but my curiosity was not sufficient enough to find out for sure!

Wood White

Next and last wildlife spotting stop of the day was at Harry's Park Wood where Wood Whites were the main target. One did oblige us and gave some very good views as it nectared on Ground Ivy, it's great to confirm the presence of this delicate species here for another year. Other species noted here included Small and Green-veined Whites, Orange-tip, Holly Blue and Speckled Wood while the only bird of interest was a Cuckoo. Not for the first time our day finished in the Samuel Lloyd where several pints of Ruddles seemed as good a way as any to end the day.

Not Great

 Quite a contrast between yesterday and today with grey skies and a cool breeze replacing the much pleasanter conditions that I enjoyed at Earls Barton. Hoping for a break in the overcast I headed over to Priors Hall but such breaks as there were turned out to be all too brief and it was a fairly uninspiring slog with little to show for my efforts.

Rose Chafers and Small Heath

At the quarry lake there was at least one Great Crested Grebe still present and I could hear Little Ringed Plovers too, the local Sand Martins were skimming just above the water surface in their quest for food. Around the ponds there was a good selection of warblers which included Reed and at least one rattling Lesser Whitethroat.  Few insects were braving the conditions and the most memorable were some jewel like Rose Chafers and a single Small Heath butterfly. The afternoon turned out to be much sunnier but by then I was  engaged in other matters, hopefully next weekend will be a little warmer!

Back Into The Swing Of It

 A gentle return back into the county wildlife scene saw Shozzer and I head to the New Workings near Earls Barton for a saunter around. In pleasantly warm and sunny conditions we had an entertaining meander around the site enjoying a few good birds and rather a lot of interesting insects.

Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Common Blue Damsel and broad-bodied Chaser

Four Ringed Plovers, a Common Sandpiper and a Grey Partridge were the pick of the reportable species and at least two male Cuckoos were heard calling. A Common Blue Damselfly was my first of the year, we saw many more during the day. My first dragonfly of 2026, a Broad-bodied Chaser followed soon after and gave good views. Next up was a Painted Lady near the lock and at least one more was seen during our walk, after last year's blank this was quite an encouraging development. Several Small Coppers were noted next to the river and at least one Holly Blue. More new damsels for the year were also seen with both Blue-tailed and Red-eyed being noted. Alan found several  Hairy Dragonflies and also a Small Tortoiseshell while I picked out yet another year first - a Small Heath. With plenty of Banded Demoiselles flitting around the waterside vegetation it was all in all a very good morning.

Hairy Dragonfly,  Red -eyed and Blue-tailed Damselflies and Small Heath

Next up on the agenda was Summer Leys where we made a briefish stop on our way to the Coach and Horses in Wellingborough. Best birds were a trio of Avocets and a Whimbrel in Wader Bay which though distant showed OK in the scope. Although there were quite a few insects about the only new species for the year was a Red Admiral at the Toad Pond. With the heat now becoming a little oppressive we headed off for that well deserved pint that I alluded to earlier.

Small Copper, Orange-tip, Brimstone, Avocet and Whimbrel

Lesvos, A Return

 My wife Sandra and I have just returned from a week long holiday to the island of Lesvos and although it was not a birding holiday I managed to get quite a bit in. On this, our second visit, we were joined by my brother David and also by his old school buddy John Barn and John's wife Carol. Unlike on my last holiday here I did get an occasional trip in a car and as a result saw more of the island's specialities. We stayed at the Pela Hotel in Skala Kalloni which is presided over by consummate and warm host Thekla who also doubles as the island's Mother Theresa caring for a mixed flock of cats and other animals. Weatherwise it was warm and sunny for the first five days, rainy and grey for the next and very windy on the last full day. 

Skala selection.

Skala Kalloni is an excellent place to stay and serves as a hub for a horde of visiting birders from an array of different countries. Just two minutes away from our hotel the Kalloni Wetland turned out to be quite a productive spot, the species which drew the most admirers was a Savi's Warbler but other highlights included Little Crake, Purple Heron and a pair of Garganey. In the sea just off shore from the wetland I saw what was probably the rarest species of the trip - a Mediterranean Monk Seal, there are fewer than 200 left in the Aegean Sea and it drew a large crowd of birders. A little further away the west river was also pretty good often playing host to a variety of terns and waders including Stone Curlew. Ruddy Shelducks, which seemed more widespread this year, were often present and we also saw a Long-legged Buzzard. On the other side of the village at the east river we saw Spur-winged Plovers and Black Storks while in the wider general area both Long-eared and Scop's Owls were noted. Another species that will linger in the memory was a male Collared Flycatcher which showed well near the village centre.

Long-eared and Scops Owl, Black-headed Wagtail and Spanish Sparrow

I only made one trip to the Kalloni salt pans this year and that was to twitch a Lesser Flamingo which was Greece's fourth. Earlier we had travelled further afield in an attempt to find this species at another set of salt pans only to learn that the bird had been flushed by workers so it was good to put this dip to bed a little later in the day. On the way to the pans we stopped at a known Kruper's Nuthatch site and were lucky enough to see two which were my first, a Masked Shrike provided some quality back up. Another road trip towards Makara produced sightings of Rock Nuthatches, Black-eared Wheatears and Raven, the nuthatches were my first in Europe having previously seen them in Turkey.

Lesser Flamingo, Little Bittern, Red-backed Shrike and Spur-winged Plover

Our last full day involved spending a morning at the Petrified Forest and also at Ipsilou Monastery where despite the gale force winds we had a very good session. Just as we arrived at the forest a short stop produced excellent views of my first Cretzschmar's Bunting, we saw several more a little later on. In the forest itself John found a Chukar which was yet another new species and we heard an Orphean Warbler. Several brief views of Golden Oriole were as welcome as always and there were quite a few stunning looking Black-eared Wheatears around. Top target at the monastery was Cinereous Bunting and John found two taking my bird lifers up to five. Other species around the site included Blue Rock Thrush, Cirl Bunting, Woodlark and a flock of at least seven Golden Orioles.

Collared Flycatcher, Black-eared Wheatear, Cretzschmar's and Cinereous Buntings

I don't know how many species I saw during my week but I can say that it was an enjoyable experience with good birds, good company, good food and copious quantities of drink. If you fancy a version of the Scillies transposed to the Med then I can heartily recommend it, you'll certainly meet plenty of other birders and there's no shortage of information available. If you don't hate cats I'd stay at the Pela if you can though there are plenty of other choices around. It's unlikely that I'm going to return but I thoroughly enjoyed both of my visits and the opportunities they provided to see some great wildlife.

Ruddy Shelduck and Monk Seal