Weird and Wonderful

Began the day at Blatherwycke Lake for my first visit since the spring. At least forty-four Mandarins were seen at their favoured spot along the wooded section of the shore, more may well have been concealed by the vegetation. Good numbers of Wigeon were also present with over thirty seen while a decent sized group of Shoveller were seen too.

Views from Blatherwycke bridge.

Around by the village an albino Peacock graced somebody's garden while the menagerie contained the normal Red-necked Wallabies and Rheas but were joined by at least one kangaroo too, the trio of Llamas were still present in their field across the road. A pair of Black Swans were seen from the bridge as they fed on vegetation at the stream.

Not so wildlife.

Leaving Blatherwycke behind I found a partially leucistic Jackdaw at Bulwick and also a Sparrowhawk. The inflow at Deene Lake had the first three Snipe of the Autumn feeding in the shallows in the company of many Teal. Not much on the main lake though the Black Swans were still present. Good numbers of Common Blue damselflies were seen behind the dam where they were joined by examples of both darter species.

Leucistic Jackdaw, Deenethorpe lane and Snipe and Teal.

A path that connects Kirby Lane with the eastern end of Priors Hall held many more darters and good numbers of Speckled Woods while half a dozen pristine looking Commas appeared to be feeding on blackberries. Numbers of Small Heath remain high though numbers of both Brown Argus and Common Blue butterflies are declining. Rather a lot of Small Whites were seen today with the majority appearing to be egg laying females. Several examples of both Brown and Southern Hawkers were seen around the ponds where they were joined by decent numbers of Migrants.

Common Blue Damsels and Migrant Hawkers.

On the quarry lake there were at least two adult Yellow-legged Gulls and also a Common Sandpiper though bird numbers seemed lower, perhaps not too surprising given that three motorcycles were roaring around the area. I finished my day in the Shoulder of Mutton at Weldon where I tried some Mad Max beer, very nice indeed.

Common Blues, Comma and Yellow-legged Gull.