Relaxing

 It's been quite a hectic few days chasing rare waders around Leics and Rutland so it was nice to spend an uneventful afternoon noodling around Priors Hall. Much of my morning was spent doing chores or shopping and it was pretty late before I was able to catch my bus down to Weldon. Though sunny when I set out the cloud cover increased and at one point I had to seek shelter from a sharp shower of rain. 

Common Blue and Small Heath

On my outward walk the Quarry lake was quiet with just a few Tufted Ducks and Dabchicks on view, a flock of Meadow Pipits on the southern edge were possibly migrants rather than locally bred birds. A stiff breeze made insect watching fairly difficult and I only saw a couple of Common Darters in the quarry. In more sheltered spots I began to see butterflies with Common Blues and Small Heaths making up most of the sightings. Always welcome was a Small Copper, the first of two, which posed obligingly for photos. Other species seen on my wander were Speckled Wood, Green-veined White, Comma and a knackered looking Brown Argus

Small Copper and Brown Argus

Commonest ode on view was Migrant Hawker though Common Darters ran them close. At least one Brown Hawker and two or three Ruddy Darters also made their way on to the list, the only damsels were two Willow Emeralds. A Siskin called as it flew overhead and two Ravens made a close pass during the rain shower. Another interesting bird was a Marsh Tit, happily Priors Hall continues to support a population of this declining species. Whilst wandering around the ponds I had the briefest glimpse of two birds flying past which teasingly looked like Glossy Ibis but there was no way I could be sure. They looked as if they were heading towards the Quarry Lake but another check here only produced a sighting of an adult Yellow-legged Gull. A large flock of Swallows feeding in the area were probably migrants held up by the continuing southish winds. Sunday dinner at the George in Weldon with my family was reason enough to bring things to a close.

Migrant Hawker, Common Darter and Willow Emerald