A weekend of Butterflies & Moths, as the UK birding scene was rather tame in comparison to previous weekends. My overnight garden moth trap produced a superb Elephant hawkmoth when I emptied it on Saturday morning (9th July 2011), the first one this year. A total of 15 species was a disappointment for the […]
You need very fine & warm weather to stand any chance of seeing Mountain Ringlet. Such a day was forecast for Sunday 3rd July 2011. We set off for Honister Pass in the Lake District, Cumbria at 5:30am. We arrived at the car park around 9am, setting off for the long climb to Mountain Ringlet
A week relaxing in Cornwall to re-charge the batteries. Some birding, some butterflies and some plants. No “heavy stuff” but nevertheless pleasant to see “Cornish” Chough, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, a few new plants and stunning views of Common Dolphin in Coverack Bay for a couple of hours on the 29th May 2011. Other butterflies
A morning birding on Cannock Chase, Staffordshire for spring migrants. No sooner had we started our walk, we quickly encountered a superb Wood Warbler, followed by Redstart, Tree Pipit, Cuckoo and several Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Blackcap & Garden Warbler. At the favoured location, we found a pair of Pied Flycatcher, more Redstarts and Tree
A day spent observing some spring jewels, namely Red-necked Grebe & Black-necked Grebe. These birds are truly stunning in their summer plumage. So rare to see Red-necked Grebe in full regalia. Black-necked Grebes are more common in their summer attire. This Red-necked Grebe has returned to this area of Yorkshire for its seventh year. Also
