Stilts

 Yesterday (the  26th) an impromptu after work birding trip with my brother David saw us catching up with Frampton Marsh's breeding Black-winged Stilts. Blessed as we were with some evening sunshine on our walk it was good to see these rare but increasing visitors to the UK. Although we didn't hang around for too long we were treated to a decent supporting cast as well as those leggy scene stealing stars of the show.

Little Ringed Plover, Ruff and Avocet chick

From next to the closed visitor centre (well we were a little on the late side!) we saw a few waders such as Little Ringed Plovers, a Green Sandpiper, some cracking looking Ruffs and the usual Black-tailed Godwits. A short stroll gave us a slightly different perspective and enabled us to see both a Spoonbill and a distant stilt. From the 360 hide we were treated to a horde of Avocets with young of varying ages and also a please number of juvenile Black-headed Gulls. It looks as if they haven't completely escaped the ill effects of the current bird flu epidemic here but the number of young was encouraging.

Black-winged Stilts

In the hide we received some good gen relating to the whereabouts of the stilt family and so armed set out to find them. Luckily it didn't take too long to catch up with two adults and a chick though they often disappeared into vegetation and were lost from view. Once we'd enjoyed reasonable views we started our walk back to the car. Close views of a couple of feeding Spoonbills were reason enough to pause while a Curlew called as it passed over. Another diversion was a male Ruff that still retained most of its breeding plumage and looked rather fine as it fed close by. The need to get some dinner was reason enough to leave soon afterwards, what a nice way to work up an appetite.

Spoonbills.

Harry's Worth A Visit

 I took a walk along to Harry's Park Wood this morning where some warm and sunny weather promised to deliver some nice butterflies. My walk took me up Geddington Road before I turned down Kettering Road where a Lesser Whitethroat was rattling away from the depths of a Blackthorn bush. A few Meadow Browns and Small Whites began to appear as well as a Red Admiral near the Woodland Park. Bears Lane had a bit of a surprise in store as a Reed Warbler was singing in the hedgerow half way along the road, I've not recorded one here before.

Whitethroat, Large Skipper and Small White

In the wood itself Ringlets matched Meadow Browns in number and there were a few Speckled Woods about as well. Alan had seen Black Hairstreaks along one of the rides recently so I headed in that direction. My first sighting here was not a hairstreak but my first White Admiral of the year, I saw it several times but it didn't settle. A similar situation prevailed a little later on when a Silver-washed Fritillary passed by. I did manage to catch up with a Black Hairstreak though this one was acting a little strangely as it was wandering along the ground rather than flitting around Blackthorns! Moving on I was treated to lots of views of Large Skippers and a few Large Whites. Both Comma and Red Admiral were noted on the paths, I was rather hoping for a Purple Emperor but their poop licking majesties are yet to grant an imperial audience. Best butterfly of the morning was a Wood White, only my second here which was good enough to pose for a few pictures. I'm not sure where these occasional visitors come from though Geddington Chase has been mooted by others.

Wood White and Black Hairstreak

Away from the butterflies a Crossbill provided another highlight as a single bird was calling from pines closer to the Brigstock end of the wood. Other good birds were a male and female Cuckoo which were both heard calling and there was also a family party of Marsh Tits. If the butterfly version let me down then the dragonfly variant did not as at least ten Emperors were present. Not much other wildlife to report other than a couple of Fallow Deer. On my way through Weldon I popped into the pocket park where a Broad-bodied Chaser was seen.

Wood White (again!), Emperor and Fallow Deer

Black and Blues

 I was out again in the company of Alan Shorrock today with our first port of call being Wicksteed Park in Kettering. There was no sign of the Norfolk Hawkers which I still feel will turn up in Northants sooner rather than later. What there was and in good numbers too were Variable Damselflies around the fishing lake, it's good to see that they're having a good year. Other damsels on the wing were Banded Demoiselle, Common Blue, Azure, Red-eyed and Blue-tailed while the only dragons were Emperors and Black-tailed Skimmers. A few butterflies were also noted and these included Commas, Small Tortoiseshell, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper and Red Admiral. There was only one bird of note and that was a singing Cetti's Warbler.

Summertime blues - Variable, Common Blue and Blue-tailed Damselflies

Once we decided to move on we headed of to the Old Kettering Road where Alan had seen at least four Black Hairstreaks during the week. We managed to see but not photograph at least two as they were very active around the tops of the blackthorn and other trees. On did settle long enough to raise hopes of getting a shot but flew before my camera could focus. A fairly similar selection of butterflies were on view here though there was also at least one Ringlet and a few Speckled Woods to add to the list. Best bird was a Raven which called several times as it flew overhead.

Green Woodpecker and butterfly selection.

Longest Day

 I took an after work wander around Brookfield Plantation this afternoon before passing through Willowbrook Industrial Estate on my way home. The weather was for the most part warm and sunny which brought out a few interesting insects to look at.

Ringlet, Comma, Marbled White and Dingy Skipper

As we get closer to July more and more brown butterflies are on the wing with Meadow Browns, Ringlets and Meadow Browns all appearing in ever greater numbers. With Small Heaths and Speckled Woods also on the wing we're only waiting for Gatekeepers now! A first Comma for several months was a welcome sight indeed, this is one of the species that seems to have had a bad year so far, a Red Admiral was also appreciated! Large Skippers are now becoming commoner though a late Dingy Skipper provided the biggest surprise of the day, I believe that this is my latest ever. Other butterflies making it on to my list were Common Blues and a tatty and faded Brown Argus. Three species of dragonfly were noted and they were Broad-bodied and Four-spotted Chasers as well as a Black-tailed Skimmer. A small party of Fallow Deer were the only other nature of interest.

Large Skipper, Black-tailed Skimmer and Fallow Deer

At Willowbrook Industrial a similar selection of butterflies were on offer though my first Small Skippers of the year were a nice addition to the day list. Not much else to report apart from a few Pyramidal Orchids.

Small Skipper and Pyramidal Orchid

Eurohub

 I trusted the weather forecast way more than I should have and fearing a drenching from the forecast rain stayed close to my house here in the Old Village. My wanderings took me as far as Eurohub where I enjoyed some reasonable weather, some good nature and no rain whatsoever!

Marbled White, Brown Argus and Large Skipper

Not many birds of note were found with a singing Lesser Whitethroat being the highlight. Insects put on a much better show and butterflies in particular featured strongly. My first Marbled Whites of the year were out in force though very flighty and it took some effort and a bit of luck to get a picture. On the subject of pics I was happy to finally get some shots of Large Skippers having struggled with them so far this year. Meadow Browns were present in good numbers and there were smaller quantities of Small Heath, Speckled Wood, Common Blue and a Brown Argus.

Common Blue, Broad-bodied Chaser and Emperor

A Broad-bodied Chaser was perhaps the best dragon and it was joined by Emperors and Four-spotted Chasers as well as a couple of Black-tailed Skimmers. Not too many damsels were noted with just Common Blue and Azures making it on to the list. Other wildlife included some froglets and I also found some Bee Orchids.

Bee Orchid, Whitethroat and Goldfinch

Emeralds Deliver

 The 17th saw a meeting of like minded souls for the annual Downy Emerald walk in the normally private Yardley Chase. The walk, organised by the county dragonfly recorder Mark Tyrrell attracted a reasonable number of people who spent an enjoyable few hours wandering around this excellent site. After a showery start conditions improved meaning that we were entertained by a good cast of insects.

Downy Emerald record shot and Four-spotted Chaser.

The Downy Emeralds were initially a little reluctant to oblige us but as the sunny spells got a little lengthier they became a tad more cooperative. A few males were noted as they patrolled the edges of the many ponds but increasing numbers of Four-spotted Chasers aggressively protecting territories meant that getting prolonged views was all but impossible. I did manage to get a few record shots but they were far from great! Other dragons featuring today were Emperor, Hairy Dragonfly and a number of darters though I didn't see any of the latter.

Variable and Large Red Damselfly.

Regular nature spotting pal Alan Shorrock found a site first Variable Damselfly in amongst the many Azures which I also managed to miss, perhaps I need some new specs! My favourite damsels were some newly emerged Emerald Damselflies, at least half a dozen were noted. Other damsels included Common Blue, Large Red, Red-eyed, Blue-tailed and a single male Banded Demoiselle.

Wood White and Ringlet

Pick of a selection of butterflies were the Wood Whites fluttering along the rides, they're beginning to look a little rough around the edges but are still well worth seeing. Another highlight was a year first Ringlet while other browns seen where Speckled Wood, Small Heath and Meadow Brown. Some camera shy Large Skippers proved to be too active for pics but were still a welcome sighting.

Meadow Brown and Emperor

Not many birds to report other than a couple of Cuckoos, the male was heard first but was joined later by a female.