River Return.

Knowing that it was going to be hot and sunny again today was enough to have me making a quick return to Oundle, there's just something about being next to the river in this weather. I chose to walk between the north and south bridges and also braved the brats at Barnwell on the way.

Jolly boating weather.

River traffic was as busy as I've ever seen it with an almost constant passage of narrowboats and cruisers going past. Plenty of walkers too were making the most of the lovely conditions. With all this activity it was not too surprising that few birds were on show though I did see a Kingfisher speeding down the river. A large, twittering flock of hirundines were perching on dead tree branches near the marina and would take off together before settling down again, I suppose that they will soon begin their southerly migration.

Pair of smalls, Copper and White.

Migrant Hawkers were the commonest dragon with males patrolling their territories, it looks as if they prefer areas with trees or hedgerows nearby as they certainly seemed more numerous in such places. My first Brown Hawkers were around Ashton Mill where a very aggressive Small Copper was defending its patch from all comers. At the nearby weir a Banded Demoiselle landed on my head before heading off to some neighbouring nettles. It was one of half a dozen here but they were not seen anywhere else today. Blue tailed Damsels were once again the commonest damsel with small numbers present along the river.

Migrant Hawker and Banded Demoiselle.

Small Whites and Speckled Woods were the most frequently seen butterflies and there were also a few Small Heaths seen on the unmown edges of the fields. Darters were not too common and I suspect that they prefer still water to riverine habitats.

Grey Heron and House Martin.

At Barnwell I added Red-eyed and Small Red-eyed Damselflies to the day list but it was predictably very busy today and I didn't hang around.

That is one interesting wall!