Well Spotted

 Regular wildlife watching pal Alan Shorrock and I began our day at Eyebrook under grey skies and where a north easterly breeze lowered temperatures to an uncomfortable level. Birding is beginning to slow down now as the migration season draws towards a close but there were still a few decent birds to be found.

Spotted Redshank and Ringed Plovers

Nothing much of note was seen either at Sam's Dyke or around the island and we had to venture towards the sharp end before we found anything of interest. Here a spiffy looking Spotted Redshank in its full summer plumage regalia stood out, these really are beautiful birds. Other waders in the same area were a quartet of Ringed Plovers, a couple of Little Ringeds, a single sum plum Dunlin and also a Common Sandpiper. The gloomy conditions brought hundreds of hirdundines down low and they were joined by good numbers of Swifts hawking for insects just above the surface of the water. A short walk through parts of the plantation paid dividends as we found at least two Spotted Flycatchers, it's always nice to see this formerly common summer migrant.

Variable Damselflies

When we left Eyebrook it was still grey and we decided to pop in for lunch at the Samuel Lloyd before heading towards Wicksteed Park. Refuelled and rehydrated we reached the park as the sun began to emerge and blue sies dominated for the rest of the afternoon. Our main target was the population of Variable Damselflies that make the park their home and we saw many on our walk around the fishing lake. Joining them were smaller numbers of Azures, a couple of Blue-taileds, some Common Blues and Red-eyeds as well as a few Banded Demoiselles. A Norfolk Hawker had been spotted emerging this week by the county dragonfly recorder but we could only find a couple of Hairy Dragonflies on our stroll around. Other wildlife noted on our travels included several Cetti's Warblers, an Orange-tip and a faded looking Speckled Wood.

Red-eyed and Common Blue Damselflies

The final stop of the day was at the Slade Brook in Kettering near the Lighthouse Theatre. Initially we found little of interest other than a Holly Blue and an Orange-tip but things did pick up. First an immature Scarce Chaser, my first of the year, showed well and was also my first sighting in the Kettering area. Next up were two female Beautiful Demoiselles which were also my first of the year. These were our primary reason for visiting the area in the first place and it was good to catch up with them again. By now the evening was beginning to draw in and we opted to head back towards Corby.

Scarce Chaser and Beautiful Demoiselle

Hot Stuff

 Apparently it's been warmer than Portugal in parts of the UK this weekend and it certainly felt that way at Priors Hall this afternoon. Having completed all of my tasks this morning that left me with a bit of time to play with, I toyed with the idea of visiting the Variable Damselflies at Wicksteed but opted to try my luck at Priors instead.

Broad-bodied and Four-spotted Chasers

Birding highlights were few and far between but I enjoyed listening to both male and female Cuckoos calling around the ponds, I'm thinking that the local Reed Warblers probably do not enjoy their presence as much as I do! Another bird adding to the soundtrack was a Water Rail, they've bred here in the past and it would be nice if they did so again. Perhaps not surprisingly odes responded well to the warm conditions and I saw my first Four-spotted and Broad-bodied Chasers of the year, there were a few Hairy Dragonflies on the wing too. Damsels noted on my walk were Azure, Blue-tailed and Large Red.

Common Blue and Dingy Skipper

Also featuring strongly today were butterflies though they were very active today and many did not settle for any length of time. Three new species for the year made it on to the list and these were Small Heath, Brown Argus and Green Hairstreak. I didn't manage to get a pic of either of the two arguses that I saw but did manage to get a shot or two of the others. Plenty of Common Blues and Dingy Skippers were noted while other species were Speckled Wood, Peacock, Brimstone and Small White. Heat was beginning to become something of an issue and that coupled with a dinner date persuaded me to bale out and head for home.

Small Heath and Green Hairstreak

Insects And Sun Shine At Summer Leys

 Alan Shorrock and I paid a call on Summer Leys today hoping to connect with some interesting birds. Sadly the Leys did not provide too much in that respect and it was left to insects to supply most of the entertainment. There was plenty of sunshine for both us and the insects to enjoy and I was able to shed the fleece and wander around in shirtsleeves though the shorts may have to wait a little bit longer!

Painted Lady, Small Copper and Brimstone

The best of a meagre selection of birds on view were a Ringed Plover, a couple of Common Sandpipers and a quartet of Hobbies. Butterflies were better represented and a faded looking Painted Lady was my first of the year, judging by its condition I suspect it was a newly arrived migrant. A Small Copper took second spot on the billing and there was an honourable mention in despatches for several Red Admirals too. Other species showing were Peacock, Small and Green-veined White, Brimstone, Orange-tip and Speckled Wood.

Red-eyed and Blue-tailed Damselflies and Banded Demoiselle

Odes were responding to the warm conditions and I added several species to my growing year list. Several Blue-tailed Damselflies and rather more Red-eyeds were joined by at least three Hairy Dragonflies, I got pics of the first two but the dragons decided not to play ball. Common Blues were appropriately enough the most numerous species but there were decent numbers of both Azure and Banded Demoiselles on site too. Having decided that we had seen all that we were likely to it was time to head into Wellingborough for a well earned pint in the Coach and Horses.

Spitfire duo.

Back Out In The County

 After a couple of treacherous episodes involving both cross county and cross border sorties it was time to venture out into the sainted countryside of Northants again. Sadly I'm back at work now so that meant a late afternoon stroll around Brookfield Plantation was all that I could fit in. After what has felt like a cool week so far it was nice to welcome back some warm sunshine.

Azure Damselfly and Grizzled Skipper

No birds of note in the wood but there were some interesting insects to look at including my first Azure Damselflies of the year. There was a bigger selection of butterflies on offer of which Grizzled Skipper and Common Blue were making their year list debuts. I was able to get a shot of the skipper but the blue managed to evade my camera's lens. Other species seen on my walk were some knackered looking Peacocks, an equally careworn Comma, two Speckled Woods, a female Orange-tip and a male Brimstone. My walk home provided views of one of my local Peregrines while at Willowbrook Industrial estate I saw a few Dingy Skippers, a couple of Grizzleds and another Common Blue butterfly.

Comma and snoozing Peregrine

Lesvos 2

 Here are a few more pictures from my trip.

Temminck's Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank and Wood Sandpiper

Bee-eater, Red-backed, Lesser Grey and Woodchat Shrikes.

Red-rumped Swallow, Black-headed Bunting and Wagtail, Spanish Sparrow

Worth looking at again!

Lesvos

 I've just returned from a week's break in Lesvos which while not a dedicated birding holiday still produced some great sightings. I knew that the island was a fairly popular destination for birders but I did not expect the Scillies transposed to the Med! Everywhere you walked there were birders either wandering or driving about and much of the talk in bars and restaurants revolved around birds. I thought that I was reasonably keen but by comparison I'm just a rank amateur! Unlike many of my fellow devotees I did not have access to a car and nor did I have whole days to spend birding, my wife is patient but there are limits. For this reason I did not join the Lesvos Whats App group and may have missed out on some good birds. I spent my time in the Skala Kallonis area based at the excellent Pela Hotel enjoying a mixed bag of weather whilst accumulating a trip list of 92 species.

Rufous Bush Chat, Dalmatian Pelican and Spur-winged Plovers

I managed to see four new species on my travels of which Rufous Bush Chat was my favourite, I've missed this species on several visits to Spain. Running the chats a close second where Dalmatian Pelicans, I saw a total of four of these stately stunners during my week. The other new species were Ruddy Shelduck and Red-throated Pipit, I've seen Ruddies in the past but never regarded them as wild before. My first European Spur-winged Plovers were another bird that sticks in the memory though in truth there were many memorable moments during the week. Raptors were a bit thin on the ground but a Lesser Spotted Eagle was a welcome find.

Black and White Storks, Glossy Ibis and Spoonbill

Herons and other leggy waders were well represented, I saw all of the European breeders except for Cattle Egret as well as both species of stork, Spoonbill and Glossy Ibis and also good numbers of Greater Flamingo. Terns too were present in numbers and a total of seven species were noted with marsh terns in particular performing well. Waders were also travelling through with the salt pans to the east of Skala attracting an array of passage birds including many stunning summer plumaged birds. Spotted and Little Crakes were very welcome additions to the list, the former giving excellent views.

Flamingos, Little Bittern and Squacco Heron

Aside form the Bush Chat my favourite passerines on offer were the shrikes, I saw three species on my wanders, male Red-backed may be one of my favourite birds. Other stars included Black-headed Bunting and the Black-headed form of Yellow Wagtail too but you probably don't want to be reading about it when you can be looking at pictures, I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I enjoyed taking them - I'm already looking at booking for next year!

Spotted Crake, White-winged Black and Whiskered Terns