Rainy Days

The last few days have seen a return to more typical April weather with rain once again entering the picture. Although I have continued to take exercise walks opportunities to view wildlife were few and far between.

The Weldon pond, home to dragons and damsels.

On the 28th I added a Cormorant to my lockdown garden list but there was nothing else to report. The 29th saw me taking the well worn path to Weldon where a singing Sedge Warbler at the industrial estate was the highlight.

Female Azure Damselfly

Today I returned to Weldon during a drier spell where a lack of people meant it was safe enough to take a stroll around the pond. I wasn't really expecting to see any insect activity beyond a bumblebee or two so it was a surprise when a damselfly flew across the path in front of me. Tracking where it landed gave me the chance to note that it wasn't the expected Large Red but something else. A quick check revealed that it was a newly emerged female Azure Damselfly, only my second of the season. Soon after this sighting the clouds began to take on a more threatening look to them and so I headed home getting a bit of a soaking in the process.

Well Done

With the weather being a bit better than anticipated I decided to head down to Weldon for a stroll alongside the stream at the Woodland Park. Given that the park had been closed albeit briefly I was somewhat surprised to encounter a group of five people clearly not from the same household strolling along seemingly without a care in the world. It could be that the park might not be reopen for too long if this kind of social distancing is the norm!

Grey Wagtail.

Away from my grumbling my highlight of the day occurred even before I set out for my walk when I had another Osprey passing over the village. A Grey Wagtail was the only other bird to catch my attention, a fine looking male was feeding at the stream near the STW.

Banded Demoiselle and Large Red Damselfly

For the second day running I saw Banded Demoiselle again with the sighting of a male in nettles next to the stream at Weldon. This one's dark eyes suggest that it has been out a bit longer than yesterday's ones. Six Large Red Damselflies were also seen and these included a male near the A43 pond.

Green-veined White and Orange-tip

Today's butterflies were my third Red Admiral in as many days, Peacock, Orange-tip, G-v and Small Whites, Brimstone and Speckled Wood.

Speckled Wood

Another Fine Day

After a couple of long walks over the last two days I initially thought that I might keep things even more local and give my body a rest. With the fine weather of the past week looking as if it might change very soon however I decided to drag my tired old bones over to Harry's Park Wood to make the most of such fine conditions.

Countryside views.

A Sedge Warbler heard singing along Kettering Road between the A43 and Weldon was my first of the year, it had moved along to the entrance of the Woodland Park by the time I returned. On the subject of the park it looks as if the closure was only temporary though the car park will remain closed, I think the council wants to stop people driving there to exercise. Bears Lane held quite a showy Garden Warbler which I chose to watch rather than photograph as I don't get that many clear views of this species. Other good birds noted today included a pair of Ravens near Bocase Farm on the edge of the wood where a male Cuckoo was also calling.

One of many singing Whitethroats noted today

The pick of the butterflies was my second Red Admiral in as many days and this coupled with the sighting of a Silver Y moth suggests some insect immigration has occurred recently. Not for the first time it was Orange-tips that were the commonest species, other whites were seen but generally not identified except for a few Green-veined. Of the species which hibernate as adults Peacocks remain the commonest with a few Small Tortoiseshells and Brimstones also seen. Corby Old Village had a Holly Blue flitting about but my biggest surprise was not seeing any Speckled Woods in Harry's Park as I thought there would be plenty there.

Orange-tip and Lackey moth caterpillars

What's turning out to be an excellent Spring for Large Red Damselflies continued as one seen on the edge of the wood made this my sixth site so far this year. Weldon Pocket Park delivered the best damsels of the day with my first Banded Demoiselles of the year. Three males led me on a bit of a song and dance before I finally got a photograph of one. These are one of my favourite damsels and I hope they have a long season, last year they made it into October - no pressure there then!

Large Red Damselfly and Banded Demoiselle

Of the other wildlife observed on my stroll a Common Lizard basking on a newly felled log in Harry's Park was my first confirmed one of the year. It looks as if there have been a lot of forestry operations there over the winter and I hope it doesn't have an impact on butterfly numbers later in the year. One other bit of wildlife worth mentioning was a Brown Hare dozing away part of the day in a field near the wood.

Common Lizard and Brown Hare

Not Too Bad At All

Another weekend visit to Priors Hall today where I enjoyed one of my better days of the Spring so far. While the day began with cloudy skies the sun managed to burn its way through them to reveal the now almost usual blue.

Priors view and Barn Owl.

Not much was seen on the way as I concentrated on getting there as quickly as possible. On arrival I was greeted by my first Garden Warblers of the year, at least one more was heard later. Best bird of the day though was a Barn Owl that gave me a chance to photograph it. Sadly my dire fieldcraft skills led to me flushing the bird just as a newly arrived Alan Shorrock appeared - oops, sorry Alan. Of the other birds noted on site it was my first Reed Warblers of the year that took the plaudits, at least three were singing.

Dingy and Grizzled Skippers

With clear skies by now the order of the day butterflies began to show and the first was a pristine Grizzled Skipper. This was followed by my first Red Admiral of the year which loitered long enough to give me some decent views. Speckled Woods had increased since my last visit with at least ten showing. Highlight amongst the butterflies seen today were ten plus Dingy Skippers which were another year first. I'd have to check my records but I'm not entirely sure whether I've seen April ones before. The hattrick of Spring crackers was completed by two Green Hairstreaks. Other species recorded today were Orange-tip, Large White, Brimstone, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and a lot of UIW's.

Red Admiral and Green Hairstreak

Good numbers of Large Red Damselflies continue to emerge with at least twenty five being seen. Much as I like Large Reds it was another damsel that stole their thunder with my first Azure Damselfly posing long enough for some record shots. Northants seems to be doing pretty well so far with five species having been recorded this year.

Large Red and Azure Damselflies.

Not a lot of other wildlife was seen apart from a Brown Hare which I saw as I was beginning to make my way home - if only all days could be as good!

Into the Valley

I took one of my longer walks today to Gretton Weir in the Welland Valley just for the chance to see some different scenery. Although I was out for longer than the recommended hour I did  stick rigidly to the social distancing restrictions whilst out and about. My stroll took me through Willowbrook Industrial Estate, Brookfield Plantation and then across fields before rejoining the road for the last bit.

Views of the Welland Valley

Whitethroats are now well established and many were heard singing their scratchy songs from hedgerows as I walked. A minimum of six Lesser Whitethroats were heard too and these included at least two in the industrial estate. Brookfield provided further Raven sightings and also a Peregrine while a Buzzard added to an almost Welsh feeling to the birding. Near the flooded quarry I watched eighteen kites and buzzards spiralling upwards on a thermal, these warm Spring days certainly seem to suit them. My birding highlights today were both seen within seconds of each other near Gretton Weir and they were a Cuckoo and a Yellow Wagtail.

Record shot Welland Large Red with an even larger Red above!

While walking through Brookfield I found three Large Red Damselflies, two were in hawthorns and didn't settle while another found a nettle leaf to its liking. Gretton Weir had four more and these were my first individuals emerging from running water. Most were up, up and away like little Supermen but one allowed a brief record shot before disappearing upwards.

Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock.

No new butterflies seen today though it was good to see at least ten Small Tortoiseshells as their numbers had appeared to be dropping. Plenty of Peacocks too though they were outnumbered by Orange-tips. Other whites noted today were Green-veined and Large and also Brimstone. Lots of Speckled Woods were seen in Brookfield with perhaps as many as thirty being seen.

Male Orange-tip.

Out of Bounds

Yesterday's walk saw me take a wander around the remnants of Stanion Lane Plantation which turned out to be somewhat uneventful. No birds of any note were seen and a herd of Fallow Deer was probably the highlight. A Holly Blue was the pick of the butterflies and once again Large Whites were seen but not photographed, I still haven't managed a snap of them yet this year.

Fallow Deer and Holly Blue

I also popped along to have a look at the area around the Clayholes in Corby for the first time in years. While they're not open to the public the vegetation nearby looks promising for damsels and dragons.

Speckled Wood and the Large Clayhole, Corby.

Today saw me heading back down to Weldon where I learned that the Woodland Park has been closed for the duration of the current lockdown which means that the pond and the stream are out of bounds too. While this will no doubt affect my dragonfly watching to an extent it's a small price to pay if it keeps people safe.

Weldon and wasp like Nomada Bee.

Whitethroats have now arrived in numbers and I heard several singing birds on my walk. No other bird news to report and it was once again insects that provided most of the interest. Orange-tips and the various whites including Brimstone were the most visible species and a Comma at Weldon was one of only a few that I've seen recently. Speckled Wood was noted at Corby Old Village and also on my stop near the STW.

Green-veined White and Green Hairstreak

Speaking of the STW I was lucky enough to see if not photograph another Large Red Damselfly. Also of interest were two Green Hairstreaks and a site year tick in the shape of a Holly Blue. Several Peacocks were my only ones of the day, their numbers appear to be dropping a little now.

Still Strolling

I ventured down to Weldon for my exercise walk today taking a brief detour on the way home to the area near the STW. Nothing new to report though I saw enough to make my wander enjoyable.

Goldfinch.

Plenty of Orange-tips were on the wing with the path that runs alongside the steelworks proving to be very good for them. Around the village I saw a Speckled Wood, a Peacock and a few UIW's. As the area around the pond was quiet today with no other visitors I decided to walk along the shore and look for damsels. My efforts were rewarded with the sighting of 4 tenerals making their first flights, it's the forth site that I've recorded them at this year.

Female (top) and male Large Red Damselflies.

Stopping briefly at the STW I enjoyed good views of a Grey Wagtail at the stream, there had been one in the village earlier this morning. A Green Hairstreak was the best of the butterflies though the blustery conditions were not ideal for them. Despite the breeze I did manage to add a Comma, several Brimstones and a Green-veined White to my list.

Green Hairstreak and Grey Wagtail.

My local Magpies are still present in the neighbouring garden but they're now much quieter and I suspect that incubation will start soon if it hasn't already. I must say that the new quieter version are far more agreeable neighbours than they were though any passerines nesting nearby might not agree!

More Damsel Action

For today's exercise walk I opted to return to Brookfield Plantation in Corby hoping that the trees might provide some shelter from a brisk easterly breeze. In those sheltered spots it was pleasantly warm and the woodland rides were full of hoverflies and other insects.

Speckled Wood

Few birds to report other than a Raven, this is becoming quite a reliable spot for them. One other snippet of bird news is the possibility that Lesser Black-backed Gulls are breeding in the town, last year I suspected that they might be on Asda's roof and there seems to be adults summering around there this year as well.

Green Longhorn moths

Lots of Orange-tips were seen today with smaller numbers of the other whites too. At least three Large Whites were flitting up and down the rides but none settled and I'm still looking for my first pic of the year. Speckled Woods were well represented with a double figure count while the other species noted today were Peacock and Brimstone. I don't often get to mention moths on my blog but today I saw my first ever Green Longhorn moths, these are dainty micro moths with a graceful dancing flight and very long antennae.

Large Red Damselfly.

On my last visit I was lucky enough to find two Large Red Damselflies and today I managed to find several more. Unlike on my last visit however one settled down long enough for me to get a picture. These records and the ones from Thursday are my first ever sightings in the plantation so being confined to my local area is turning out to be not necessarily such a bad thing.  The only other bit of wildlife news for today was the presence of a small group of Fallow Deer.