It Got Better!

 Alan Shorrock and I began our day at the old Kettering road where we looked for the Black Hairstreaks that Al discovered here several years ago. In truth we were probably a little too early in the day and the reward for our efforts was a solitary Speckled Wood. Realising that things were unlikely to improve in the short term we headed off towards Eyebrook where a Spotted Redshank had been reported.

Speckled Wood and Banded Demoiselle

No luck attended our efforts to find the 'shank and it was in truth a rather hard slog. A Common Sandpiper was the pick of the waders while Shozzer saw an Osprey from the car which I managed to miss. At the bridge there were plenty of Banded Demoiselles and a couple of Large Red Damselflies as well as a single Hairy Dragonfly. Only one butterfly was noted and that was a Green-veined White. News that there were Spotted Flycatchers and Turtle Dove at Medbourne decided our next port of call and we headed off in that direction once we had concluded that Eyebrook was not going to improve.

Egyptian Geese and Common Sandpiper

The Spotted Flycatchers did not do the business and we failed to see them despite spending time in their favoured spot. Better luck with the Turtle Dove however and we were treated to some good views of this increasingly scarce summer visitor. A celebratory pint in the Neville Arms lead to further sightings of the dove as it displayed around the village. Decent beer, a dam good bird and a pleasant chat with some affable fellas from the Rockingham Wheelers cycle club made for a very pleasant experience indeed.

Turtle Dove

Our final stop was at the River Welland near Middleton where we hoped to connect with some White-legged Damselflies. It took a bit of effort but we did find several, an immature female proved to be camera shy but a young male was far more obliging. Other species noted included Banded Demoiselle, Large Red and Azure Damselflies. We left the area soon after as I had a Fathers Day meal with the family to attend, it was nice to get out and about without seeing any rain!

White-legged Damselfly