Back Out In Blighty

 All thoughts of matters Majorcan had to be put on the back burner as I headed out this morning in the company of Alan Shorrock. My reintroduction to county nature spotting began at a sunny Willowbrook Industrial Estate where a selection of birds were on view. Highlight was a trio of Stonechats, there may have been a fourth present but neither Shozzer nor I could confirm this. Plenty of Skylarks and Meadow Pipits were noted and a few Yellowhammers were on site while several charms of Goldfinches were feeding on thistle down.

Stonechat, Meadow Pipit and Skylark

Having decided to move on Alan suggested a trip to Eyebrook while I proposed a visit to Blatherwycke and Deene. We decided to choose the latter option, events were to prove that this might not have been the better plan - sorry Alan! Blatherwycke Lake was distinctly lacking in birds and it may be that there had been some shooting going on locally creating some disturbance. The churchyard was Hawfinch free though we did catch up with our first Redwings of the autumn. Not much else on view other than a male Brimstone flitting along one of the lanes close to the village.

Yellowhammer and Common Darter

Deene Lake was our next port of call where the only birds worth mentioning were three Black Swans. Luckily the autumn sunshine was working its magic and there was some ode activity to enjoy. Plenty of Willow Emeralds were active and they included several coupled pairs in their ranks. Other species showing were Common Darter and Migrant Hawker, another Brimstone represented the butterflies here. The inflow hosted plenty of Teal and a few Lapwings but there was no sign of any Green Sandpipers.

Migrant Hawker and Willow Emeralds

At nearby Deenethorpe I found my first Willow Emeralds after several years of searching. A minimum of three were aeen and they included one that chose to perch on me. Several Common Darters were also present but there was little else to report.