Welcome Autumn.

Various weather people on the telly have said that today is the first day of Autumn but the weather at least suggests that summer still has a say in proceedings. Some plans that didn't quite work out meant that I had a day's holiday from work and rather than waste it went to Priors Hall for a look around.

Caspian Gull.

At the quarry lake there was a collection of bathing gulls which included an immature Caspian Gull in among them. Other species included both Great Black-backed and Herring. Much the usual selection of birds otherwise with a Common Sandpiper being the best.

Black-tailed Skimmer and Common Darter.

There was a surprise amongst the dragonflies today in the shape of a late Black-tailed Skimmer, I think probably a very mature female rather than a male. Both species of darter continue to do well while Migrant Hawkers remain common. Other hawkers included both Brown and Southern while damsels noted were a few Common Blue and two Blue-tailed.

Ruddy Darter and Migrant Hawker.

Speckled Woods remain numerous though Small Heaths seem even more common and although numbers of Common Blues have dropped there were still rather a lot about. What has been a decent year for Brown Argus is continuing and many were observed. Other species seen today were Large and Small Whites as well as a Red Admiral and a Silver=Y moth was also seen.

Speckled Wood and Brown Argus.

Best birds of the day were two Spotted Flycatchers, they have become really scarce around here in the last decade and all records are appreciated. Another passage migrant in the shape of a Yellow Wagtail was seen. On the way out of the site I had another look at the quarry lake and was pleased to find four adult Yellow-legged Gulls.

Very small Common Blue and Silver-Y moth.

Only one mammal was seen today and that was a Brown Hare which stayed true to type and sped off as soon as it was discovered.