Wheatear, Willows and Weldon

 It's been an interesting few days of wildlife watching and I knew it would be a bit of a struggle trying to match them on today's stroll. My walk took me to the area near Corby STW and then on to Willowbrook Industrial Estate before I ended up at Weldon. Some nice late Summer sunshine made for a pleasant experience and helped to bring out a reasonable selection of insects.

Grey Wagtail and Buzzard

There were no obvious migrants near the STW today, a couple of Grey Wagtails were probably resident birds while an increase in Blackbird numbers was probably down to local birds moving into a food rich and relatively undisturbed area. Both Chiffchaffs and a Blackcap were singing adding their voices to those of the local Robins.

Wheatear and Great Spotted Woodpecker

Willowbrook delivered a hoped for migrant with a single Wheatear showing distantly though well enough. A small number of Meadow Pipits may have been on the move too while the large charm of Goldfinches continues to feed on the abundant thistledown. Plenty of Common Darters were seen while butterflies included Common Blues, Small Heath, Comma, Speckled Wood and Small White.

Coppery Willow Emerald and Southern Hawker

My walk then took me past the A43 pond at Weldon where there was little to report other than a few more Common Darters and a Common Blue Damselfly. I left the swan family to continue on with their business and made my way along to the Woodland Park. Here I bumped into Alan Shorrock who had been looking at the Willowbrook Wheatear. We were treated to a good late season ode watching session dominated by plenty of Willow Emerald activity. A stunning looking coppery coloured male was the highlight, I think they may develop this colour as they mature. Other damsels still on the active list included a few Small Red-eyed Damselflies and another Common Blue Damselfly. Three species of hawker, Brown, Southern and Migrant were on the wing as well as plenty of darters. We finished our wander with a stroll along the stream where at least half a dozen Banded Demoiselles were noted and there was also a Red Admiral.

Banded Demoiselles and Roach?