My local Patch – Staunton Harold Reservoir, South Derbyshire, is now proving tough to pick up new year ticks. The highlights of the past few weeks have been 3 Shelduck on 9th June; the arrival of 2 Yellow-legged Gull on 12th June, a 3rd Year & 2nd Year and both seen on and off during June. A drake Mandarin has shown on and off during the month, so the female must be somewhere nearby.Good numbers of Swift during June with a large flock of over 150 birds on several days. Usually 50 or so has been a regular number most mornings. Maximum of 5 Common Terns, maximum of 2 Oystercatcher and max of 22 Mute Swan. A few returning Lapwing with 4 on 29th June. Linnet seems to have had a good breeding season with a flock of 15 juveniles on 29th June. Still expecting a Hobby but none seen so far. Hopefully something good will arrive during July.
Yellow-legged Gull – 2nd summer – My first attempt at "Phone Scoping" – Staunton harold reservoir – June 2013 – Tony Davison©
Common Tern – above three images – Staunton Harold Reservoir, Derbyshire – June 2013 – Tony Davison©
