Barnwell Bits And Bobs

 I've got a couple of days off this week as it's my 30th wedding anniversary tomorrow and my wife and I will be drowning our sorrows - only joking we're having a meal! Yesterday I had an enjoyable stroll around the museum at RAF Cosford but today I decided to do a bit of nature spotting. As the latest Northants Bird Report is now out I decided to pop over to Oundle and buy my copy from the bookshop there (they still have a couple left if you're in the market for one). Before that I took a stroll around Barnwell CP where the sunny intervals were long enough to tempt some insects out though not sadly the Downy Emeralds that I was hoping for.

Scarce and Four-spotted Chasers, Red-eyed and Variable Damselflies

Scarce Chasers were anything but and were indeed the commonest dragonfly around the park. Almost matching them in numbers were Four-spotted Chasers and several tenerals were noted taking their first flights. A male Emperor was patrolling the middle of Mill Lake, the Hairy Dragonflies that I saw preferred the edges of the lakes. Pick of the damselflies on view today were a couple of male Variables that I saw from Kingfisher Hide. Banded Demoiselles and Red-eyed Damselflies were the commonest species, smaller numbers of Blue-tailed, Azures, Common Blue and Large Red were also seen.

Moorhen, Mandarin and cricket team.

Barnwell is now one of the most reliable county sites for Mandarin Ducks and I encountered several on my walk around including a duck with one young duckling. Sadly it's yucky ducky time once again and the moulting drake Mallards in particular are looking pretty scruffy, the Mandarins are still looking OK for the time being at least. Other birds included Cuckoo and Cetti's Warbler while a Little Egret was the first that I've seen in the park itself. Butterflies were scarce and I only saw three individuals of three different species and these were Brimstone, Green-veined White and Peacock. In other news there seems to have been quite a hatch of Dark Bush Crickets with many nymphs hiding amongst the nettles.

Banded Demoiselle, ovipositing Scarce Chaser and Peacock

Once I'd completed my walk around Barnwell I headed towards the Nene for a quick look at the river. Plenty of Scarce Chasers were seen and these included an ovipositing female, I've only seen this once before and that was on the same stretch of river. Red-eyed Damselflies and Banded Demoiselles were once again the commonest damsels, the only butterfly was a Red Admiral. A Kingfisher flashed past while there were quite a lot of Sand Martins close to the bridge that passes under the Barnwell road. I finished my day in the churchyard where I failed to see any Peregrines but did catch up with a tatty looking Small White.

And you thought having a fly in the room was annoying! One from yesterday.

Good Things Come In Small Packages

 While I was slaving away at the grindstone yesterday I received a text from Shozzer telling me that the Black Hairstreaks at Glapthorn Cow Pasture were putting on quite a show. Fast forward a day and the redoubtable Mr S and I found ourselves wandering along the rides of this reserve where sunny spells and warm conditions made me optimistic of catching up with some more.

Whitethroat and Black Hairstreaks

The hairstreaks showed almost immediately after we arrived and treated us to the best display that I've ever seen of this species. I estimate that over a hundred were noted during our stroll and made up one of the most impressive insect spectacles that I've seen in the county for many years. Aside from the hairstreaks there was not much to report from here and we decided to pay a visit to Blatherwycke Lake. Our brief halt at the bridge provided some good views of Scarce Chaser and also Large Red, Banded Demoiselle and Azure Damselfly.

Scarce Chaser, Meadow Brown and Cockchafer

Our next stop was at Fineshade Wood where butterflies were our main target. I was lucky enough to see one of the recently introduced Wood Whites but we failed to see any Chequered Skippers. Other species flitting around the wood included Large White, G-v White, Brimstone, Red Admiral, Peacock, a single Black Hairstreak and also more than a few Speckled Woods. On the outskirts of King's Cliffe I also managed to see my first Meadow Brown of the year. Other insects in the area were a Cockchafer, several Scarce and at least two Broad-bodied Chasers while the best birds were Cuckoo and some Ravens.

Broad-bodied Chaser and Green-veined White

After a pint in the ever excellent Cross Keys we concluded our spotting at Eyebrook Reservoir where my site first Little Tern was the undoubted highlight. Although it remained rather distant throughout the duration of our visit I enjoyed watching it either fishing or resting at the sharp end. and managed to get a few record shots. Not much else was added to the day list though both sum plum Dunlin and Osprey were noted before we left.

Little Tern

Something Old, Something New

 I didn't get out until late morning and kept things local by visiting Priors Hall with a vague notion of looking for Downy Emeralds. Today had started off grey and rainy but conditions had improved by the time I left the house and I was met by sunny spells and a stiff westerly breeze. In sheltered areas I managed to find some interesting insects though not sadly any of the hoped for emeralds.

Common Blues

My walk began in the old quarry area where the wind was too strong to find anything of note. There was more shelter around the ponds and it was here where most of the sightings were made. Dingy Skippers were the commonest butterflies though most of them are now looking faded and more than a little scruffy. Common Blues and Small Heaths were also braving the breeze while in the woodland areas there were some fresh looking Speckled Woods. Once I reached the ponds I turned my attention towards odes and began my unsuccessful search for those elusive emeralds.

Grizzled and Dingy Skippers looking far from ship shape!

Plenty of Four-spotted Chasers were present and they were aggressively defending their territories against all comers. A few Hairy Dragonflies were patrolling the margins but the star turn today was my first Emperor of the year, a male was holding court over the middle of one of the ponds. Large Red and Azure were the commonest damsels, other species were Blue-tailed and Common Blue. A lunch date with my wife meant that I couldn't hang around for too long and I had to head towards Weldon to catch my bus home. My walk was interrupted briefly by a sighting of a Grizzled Skipper, this tatty looking character was only my second of the year.

Four-spotted Chaser, Azure and Large Red Damselflies.

Dip Doesn't Ruin Day

 Shozzer and I ventured over the county border today in search of a Great Reed Warbler at Ouse Fen near Earith in Cambridgeshire. The bird has been present for several weeks but chose not to put in an appearance today until several hours after we had left. Despite this dip we enjoyed a productive stroll around the reserve where even the mostly grey skies and occasional spot of rain could not sour our mood.

Crane and Red Crested Pochards

We were greeted on arrival by the sight of three Spoonbills which flew in but did not linger for more than a minute or two before disappearing again. As we made our way towards the warbler's favourite area we saw Marsh Harriers hunting above the reeds and also saw the first of several Bitterns making short flights over the reserve. As noted before the warbler decided not to oblige either us or any of the other visitors during our visit but was seen at about half past three this afternoon. Water Rails were squealing as we made our way around the site while bugling calls  revealed the presence of Cranes. We saw at least two which put in a couple of brief appearances before losing themselves in amongst the reeds. Other birds noted included a pair of Red Crested Pochards, up to four Hobbies and at least one Bearded Tit. Despite the grotty conditions we also managed to see a few damselflies with Variables and Blue-taileds the most common, a Red-eyed was also noted.

Hobby and Variable Damselfly

Before bringing the day to a close we paid a call on Eyebrook where some interesting waders had been noted. Attempts to find the reported Turnstones at the island sadly failed though a fly by Osprey provided some compensation. Better luck attended our efforts to find the other waders at the sharp end where three Sanderlings were the highlight. joining them were over twenty Ringed Plovers and five Dunlins while a Yellow Wagtail added some passerine interest.  A quick stop at the Samuel Lloyd in Corby provided some welcome refreshment and also a fine way of finishing things off..

Sanderling record shots.

Not Terned On

 I'd just left the house having completed my morning's chores when news came through that a White-winged Black Tern had been found at Summer Leys. I briefly toyed with the idea of getting over but I've already been treated to quite a few this year and have seen them in the county before so in the end I decided to continue on to Harry's Park Wood. To begin with the weather was a bit rubbish with grey skies and a cool breeze suggesting that my insect watching ambitions might be thwarted. Luckily the sun did eventually emerge and my visit produced a few decent results.

Merlin having some fun (I hope so anyway!)

Both male and female Cuckoos were calling around the wood and there was a Grasshopper Warbler reeling along one of the rides but they were the pick of the birding bunch. Merlin suggested that a better bird was around but I didn't hear it and believe that the app was throwing a bit of a wobbler as it sometimes does, I hope so otherwise I've just dipped on an absolute cracker!

Fresh looking Speckled Wood, G-v White and Scarce Chaser.

Once the sun had decided to honour me with its presence I was able to connect with a few insects. I only managed to find one dragonfly but it was a good 'un. My first Scarce Chaser at this site provided some excellent views as it rested on vegetation. I suspect this individual emerged from the Willowbrook several days ago and was maturing in the wood before becoming fully adult. Green-veined Whites and Speckled Woods were the commonest butterflies, some of the latter looked very fresh. A few Orange-tips and at least two Brown Arguses  joined a Peacock on the day list but it was another species that stole the show. Wood Whites are a very scarce species in Harry's Park, prior to today I'd only seen four but this afternoon I managed to see two. Hopefully this signifies a change in status for this delicate species and it becomes a resident rather than an infrequent wanderer - fingers crossed! My time was limited and I had to leave in order to catch my bus, no doubt I'll be back as soon as time allows.

Wood Whites

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