Nightingales

 I can't quite believe that it has come round so quickly but it's my backshift week once again when I get to trade one of my week days in exchange for having to work on a Saturday. Today was that day and Shozzer and I visited a couple of county spots in search of interesting insects. Though slightly cooler than it has been of late there was still plenty of sunshine on offer and we had quite a productive day.

Four-spotted Chaser, Black Hairstreak and Painted Lady

It's that time of the year when Black Hairstreaks begin to emerge at Glapthorn and Alan and I popped in to try our luck. Just within the entrance we saw a Four-spotted Chaser and while taking photos of it  we were scolded by one Nightingale and serenaded by another. Along the rides we saw a few Speckled Woods before the hoped for Black Hairstreaks were noted. The first were rather flighty but some did begin to settle and we managed to get some decent pictures of them as they nectared on brambles. Having then had a chat with the county recorder  and several other observers we decided to move on, a Painted Lady was noted in the lane where we had parked the car.

Scarce Chasers and Red Admiral

Barnwell CP was our next destination and we were treated to further sightings of Painted Ladies as well as several Red Admirals. Alan found my first Scarce Chasers of the year, clearly they've been out for a while as we saw quite a few on our wander around. Other dragons showing today included two new for the year Emperors, Hairy Dragonfly and Four-spotted Chaser. No surprises amongst the damsels though I didn't spend that much time looking for the park's small population of Variables. With the temperatures beginning to rise we headed for the NVB Brewery Tap and Kitchen for a thirst slaking pint or two, a predictable but satisfying end to our spotting.

Black Hairstreak and a garden first Common Blue Damsel noted yesterday.