With a break from boating I spent a pleasant Friday afternoon on the patch. First a visit around Napton-on-the-Hill before heading off to the reservoir prior to the rain setting in.
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| Spotted flycatcher - One of a dozen around the Napton area. |
A very creditable double figure count of
Spotted Flycatchers, including several juveniles but I never quite managed to connect with the
Common Redstart reported on
Richards site during my walk. On to Napton Reservoir with more juveniles as I came across what looked to be a newly fledged family of
Little Grebe, four in total. The reservoir continues to drop but very slightly and during my visit a
Sparrowhawk flew low over the reed bed, causing mayhem before heading off empty handed.
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| Yellow Wagtail on the bridge at Napton Reservoir |
Common Sandpiper, Yellow Wagtail and a brace of
Raven over were other notables but very few butterflies on the wing as the cloud cover increased and light rain set in. However, a nice
Ruddy Darter dragonfly was my first of the year.
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| Brandon Chalk-hill Blue |
Brandon Marsh this morning produced my first site
Purple Hairstreak this year as I passed through New Hare Covert. East Marsh Pool had cleared somewhat from the algae invasion after yesterdays heavy rain and both
Little-ringed Plover and
Ruff were noted, along with a small passage of a half dozen
Swift. Teal Pool held (3)
Green Sandpiper and later in the morning a
Hobby was hunting overhead and possibly a second bird as we moved around the farm field area.
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| Chalk-hill Blue - 1st for Brandon Marsh! |
I was a very lucky boy after coffee in the nature centre when just as I was about to get into the car to head off home a phone call from Tony Pratley had me scurrying across to the 'Tip' area.
Jeff Rankin had discovered a
Chalk-hill Blue butterfly, as yet not recorded on the Brandon list. What a wonderful surprise to find both Tony, Jeff and yes, the butterfly showing very well!
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| Had to indulge myself with a final shot of Chalk-hill Blue |
