Alan Shorrock and I took a walk around the Thrapston GP complex today taking advantage of the mostly warm and sunny conditions. We didn't manage to find any of the hoped for Black Terns or Little Gulls but did manage to see enough to justify our efforts. Our mood was brought down to some extent as at least sixteen dead Black-headed Gulls were seen on the edges of the colony, presumably victims of the bird flu epidemic. Alan has informed DEFRA who may have to take measures to protect any domestic birds in the area.
 |
| Whitethroat and Large Red Damselfly |
Returning to happier matters there were some incoming migrants to note which included one or more Cuckoos calling at both Aldwinckle and the town lake. Also showing at both sites were Garden Warblers with a total of three on view. There seemed to be plenty of warblers around the site, a reeling Grasshopper Warbler was the highlight though several Whitethroats were also appreciated. Other migrants in the area included a female Wheatear at Aldwinckle and a Swift at the town lake.
 |
| Large White, Holly Blue, Green-veined White and Brimstone |
With so much sunshine on offer it was no surprise that insects featured quite strongly today, butterflies in particular showed well. Two firsts for the year made it on to the list with four Holly Blues and a single Large White on the wing. Other species flitting around were a single Green-veined White, good numbers of both Brimstones and Orange-tips, half a dozen Peacocks and a Small Tortoiseshell. My second and Alan's first Large Red Damselfly of the year showed well, Shozzer also saw a chaser dragonfly which was almost certainly a Four-spotted. Sadly I was too busy gawping at a replica SE5a flying past and managed to miss it but I'm sure there will be others soon. One other wildlife sighting to report was of a Muntjac at Aldwinckle.
 |
| Muntjac and SE5a |
No comments:
Post a Comment