A Bird In The Hand

 For once I was just about able to resist the powerful siren song of Eyebrook and opted to visit Brookfield Plantation instead. My trip was inspired in no small way by yesterday's flyby Crossbill as I believe the plantation seems to be ideal for them with its mixture of ponds and conifer stands. Before I set off I recorded Grey Wagtail and a singing Chiffchaff from my garden in Corby's Old Village which continues to enjoy a productive late summer.

Peregrine and Common Blue

On my way to the plantation I diverted to pay a call on the local Peregrines, my efforts were rewarded by a sighting of one. Some fine morning sunshine suggested that I might encounter some insects in any spots sheltered from what was a strong westerly breeze and in the open area just inside the entrance I found a Common Darter and also a Common Blue butterfly, the first of many Speckled Woods were also flitting about. I didn't detect any Crossbills on my way through the wood, a Marsh Tit provided the only birdy highlight. As I neared the edge of the wood on the Gretton side of the plantation I could hear volleys of shots ringing out, in the large field between the wood and the Gretton road a group of men were discharging shotguns into the air. It didn't look as if they were attempting to kill anything at that particular time and they seemed to be training a gun dog. Either way I didn't hang around with all that disturbance going on and walked across the public footpath as quickly as possible.

Common and Ruddy Darters

After a brief stroll along the Gretton road I took the footpath that leads to a spot which overlooks the Welland Valley. A Green-veined White was noted before I found a Lesser Whitethroat sitting in grass next to the path. It didn't appear to be injured though it made no attempt to move as I approached and I took the chance to get a few pics of this attractively understated species. Fearing that it might come to harm I opted to pick it up and put it into a nearby hedgerow where it hopped down to the ground. Moving on and I saw Southern Hawker and also a Comma before reaching the escarpment overlooking the valley. The breeze here was pretty strong and I did not loiter for too long before deciding to return back the way I'd come.

Lesser Whitethroat and Southern Hawker.

In the north eastern most part of the wood close to the footpath I heard several Crossbills calling distantly from some larches but this part of the wood is private so I couldn't investigate further. Mercifully the gun toting squad had moved on by the time I got back to the field and I was able to take my time walking along the fence on the perimeter of the flooded quarry. At least two Small Heaths  were seen though their flights were brief in the strong breeze.. Also showing along the fence was a Ruddy Darter and three Willow Emeralds. I reached the fringes of the plantation and stopped to listen for  more Crossbills, none were heard but I did pick out a Spotted Flycatcher making sallies from its perch on a barbed wire fence.

G-v White, Comma and Small Heath

Back in the wood and the sunshine had been replaced by some unpromising looking clouds but despite the gloom both Migrant and Southern Hawker were hunting along the rides. As I neared the central crossroads I heard distant Crossbills again but Brookfield is largely private and the keepers here have a knack for finding me if I accidently stray off the public footpath. Light rain was beginning to fall by now and my camera had to go in the bag which meant that I had no chance of getting a picture of a Crossbill present in larches close to the ride. My day's schedule still had shopping and a meal in the Raven with my wife to include so I could not continue my Crossbill search for much longer and had to head for home.

Willow Emerald and Spotted Flycatcher