Lockdown update 4 - Ainsdale Dunes

One of the big problems at the moment is trying to figure out how my geography students will complete their GCSE and A Level fieldwork.
Virtual Fieldwork!
So, yesterday morning, with Simon in tow as my camera-man, we ventured to Ainsdale Dunes to look at the impact of tourism.
It was easily the most depressing I have felt walking through the dunes and seeing the scale of rubbish left behind in this short hot spell.
As we moved further into the dunes, at least the numpties laziness meant they hadn't ventured too far in. The Orchids were lovely, with many Pyramidal, Southern and Early Marsh Orchids present.

Numerous dragonflies flew around as well, with many Emperor's about. As we approached the first small pond, a couple of bright red Darters skimmed over the surface. Occasionally perching it was quick to identify them as Red-veined Darter. There appears to be plenty about this year - 28 in Hightown Dunes today.

The blue on the eye, red veins on the wing and the black surrounded pale wing spots. Plus the fact they glowed in the sun compared to nearby Common Darter.
The next, larger pond, held at least 2 more definite Red-veined Darter with several others buzzing around but not landing. Plenty of Black-tailed Skimmers teasing the Emperor's and a couple of Four Spotted Chaser's too.
Hope my students appreciate the videos I made for them 😎

Lockdown update 3 - Arnside Knott

Into June, and the increase in Butterflies, Dragonflies and Orchids on the local patch, meant a promised trip to Arnside Knott.
After successfully seeing Scotch Argos here last August, we hoped to catch up with Northern Brown Argus and High Brown Fritillary.
On ascending the Knott mid morning, at first we saw nothing. The weather was ideal, so where were the Butterflies?
Eventually in the clearings near the summit the first of 20+ Small Pearl Bordered Fritillaries flew past. A couple of larger Fritillaries also flew past but didn't stop.
Small Tortoiseshell's, Small Heath's, Meadow Brown's and Speckled Wood's appeared regularly.
We eventually reached the stoney clearing where we'd seen Scotch Argos last year, and settled down with lunch to wait. About a dozen Fritillaries fluttered around - large and small. Eventually we managed to confirm the first of two High Brown Fritillary. The third spot on the upper wing was off set, and forewing concave. Difficult as ever to get the underwing on film!

A couple of Ringlet and a Holly Blue flicked through as well.
As we continued our descent across the scree slopes Grayling started to appear - being their usual incredibly tame selves.
Then a flutter past of a small brown butterfly... eyes glued waiting for it to land. Close approach - Northern Brown Argus. In a small clearing on the slopes 3 of them performed very nicely indeed.

Overall, a very pleasing tally of Butterflies - 17 species seen.

Lockdown update 2 - Gait Barrows NNR

Soon it was May, and as guidelines began to relax slowly, Simon and I made our first car journey out of the Chorley area in over two months. We chose Gait Barrows NNR as it should be a) quiet, and b) have some good Butterflies.
On a still, warm morning we made our way onto the limestone pavement and soon spotted our first Dingy Skipper.

Several more followed along with a few Brimstone and Small Tortoiseshell's. We then headed towards the clearings where there had been some Duke of Burgundy seen, but not today. Instead some Small Pearl Bordered Fritillaries showed off to the camera.

This allowed us to see both the '730' pattern on the upper wing, as well as the beautiful pearl affect on the under wing.
The final interesting sighting was a lone Damselfly nearby. When studying the picture after it looked identical to Variable Damselfly! This would be a first for Lancashire. After discussions on the Lancashire Dragonfly Facebook site, it turns out that there is a variant of Azure Damselfly that is identical - apart from the shaping on the neck! Ours was an Azure, but a very educational one.

Lockdown update 1 - Yarrow Meadows

So, lockdown first of all meant stay local. This has been great in that it has been an opportunity to really explore my local patch.

Through the first part of spring this meant the arrival of migrants. Blackcap and Chiffchaff came first, before Sand Martin started prospecting the river banks.

Is it because of exploring the local area more, or is it just a good year for summer birds? Over the next couple of months on Yarrow Meadows and the fields surrounding were Whinchat and Redstart, Hobby on three occasions, 3 Garden Warbler, 3 pairs of Whitethroat, 9+ pairs of Blackcap and Chiffchaff. Resident birds were well represented - Grey Wagtail, Dipper, Kingfisher, Bullfinch, Little Grebe and Mandarin all breeding. Another highlight was watching the Buzzard family take their first flight - 3 young this year.

House Martin are doing well on my estate. At least 7 active nests, and yesterday evening there were 30+ birds over the playing fields.

As well as birds, other flora and fauna have done well. Credit to YVCP for their clearance work a few years ago on the two small ponds on Yarrow Meadows. Dragonflies have been excellent with Broad-bodied Chasers being particularly show-off. Emperor, Four Spotted Chaser, Banded Demoiselle, Azure, Common Blue, Blue-tailed and Large Red Damselfly as well.

Lockdown has also meant being able to see the changing colours of the flowers on the meadows. From the Lesser Celandine and Ramsons, through the beautiful Bluebells, and more recently the Orchids. Two meadows have been spectacular for Orchids with many hundreds of Common Spotted Orchid, as well as smaller numbers of Southern and Early Marsh, and many hybrids too.

Finally, Simon got a moth trap at Christmas. As the seasons have progressed the quality and quantity of moths has improved. Poplar Hawk and Garden Tiger have flown through and missed the trap, but some great named moths trapped this year 😀

Fingers crossed for some hawk moths in the trap soon.
So, lockdown has had its positives. It has been great to watch the commoner things up close and personal. Also, it has been great to bump into some scarcer wildlife that makes me realise how lucky I am to have Yarrow Meadows and Common Bank Lodge as my local patch.

Boulmer birding - Thursday

Last full day in Northumberland and a leisurely day near the cottage. First thing was a ramble along the beach. Very quiet on the land with very little visible migration. However on the beach near Seaton Point 5 Rock Pipits revealed the Water Pipit again. Good views of the tail and also subtle differences in the call could be picked up as well. A Jack Snipe behaved typically, only flying up from some seaweed when it was almost stood on! Big increase in Ringed Plover numbers on the beach with over 40 counted. 40+ Dunlin as well, and 4 Grey Plover were nice. A seawatch revealed huge numbers of birds moving. Lost count of both auks and Gannets with many hundred counted. 4 Red Throated Diver flew very close but nothing else unusual seen.
Lunchtime was spent at nearby Hauxley NWT reserve - great scones by the way 😀 Willow Tit showed well from Skua Hide on the feeders with 20+ Tree Sparrow and a nice male Bullfinch. Offshore a pair of adult Little Gull loafed just off the rocks.
As the sun set, a final walk on the beach at Boulmer. Four more Rock Pipits were active with another good candidate for 'scandanavian' Rock Pipit with one bird showing a more prominent eyestripe but little difference on colouration. Little Grebe and Red Throated Diver on the sea and the now usual mass of Turnstone on the seaweed.
Will miss Northumberland. We have been very lucky with the weather and some great birds seen. 112 birds seen this week 👍

Boulmer birding - Wednesday

First job was taking the puppy out for his constitutionals. The cottage garden is well vegetated and with the easterly winds there has been hope for something good. First bird was a Ring Ouzel flushed from a hedge, and then a Willow Tit - given away by its call. Several Fieldfare flew over, as well as a pair of Raven.
Next was a sea watch as the sun rose. Almost immediately the first of 5 Little Auks bombed through on whirring wings. Dozens of Guillemot and Razorbill also flew north, while Scoter, Eider and Gannets joined them. Over the next half hour a couple of Velvet Scoter and single Long-tailed Duck were added. Final bit of excitement arrived in the form of a skua. A beast of a bird, a juvenile Pomarine Skua powered north with the occasional dart at a Kittiwake as it passed.
Next stop today was Lindisfarne.

Crossing the causeway, many hundred Pale bellied Brent Geese fed on the salt marsh. Several Greylags flew low over the car. On arrival at the car park one of the first birds seen was another Ring Ouzel flying north across the fields. Progress was then made to the Vicar's garden checking every bush on the way. On arrival a very active Yellow Browed Warbler showed well in the trees.

A little later, near the priory a Wheatear perched up on a wall, then disappeared as fast as it appeared. Would have been nice to have seen it for longer but brief views suggested Northern.
Only other new bird for the trip was a Little Egret on the salt marsh.
The tide times meant back near Boulmer for the afternoon and another seawatch. Several more Little Auk but a massive increase in general bird numbers. Over a couple of hours Gannets numbered many hundred, and a steady stream of auks and ducks. Many were too far to specifically identify but every now and then some birds were closer. A few Fulmer and Manx Shearwater also passed, as well as 2 1st W Little Gulls. Another couple of skuas were picked up as they passed north, one an adult Arctic Skua (chasing Kittiwakes), the second, another young brute of a Pomarine Skua. The two birds followed in quick succession allowing good comparison of size and structure.
Before the sun set a final check on the waders produced more Turnstones and 4 Purple Sandpiper but nothing extra. More easterlies tonight so fingers crossed for another good birding day.

Boulmer birding - Tuesday

Today was more of a family day - spent in Bamburgh. However the easterly winds that greeted us in the morning meant a quick check of the bushes was necessary. Very quiet though, the only notable birds being a Woodcock over our heads, and a pair of Whimbrel in with the Curlew.
Bamburgh was lovely in the sun and the castle as impressive as always.

Views across to Holy Island and the Farne Islands were clear. Brought back memories of searching for Elsie, the Lesser Crested Tern.
On our return to Boulmer a seawatch was a necessity as good seabirds were being reported along the east coast. Large numbers of Kittiwakes were flying north, and a few Guillemot and Razorbill. Then the first of two small, fast black and white blobs flew through. Little Auk. Excellent. Groups of Common Scoter flew north as well. First 15, then 10, then larger groups of 30+. In the last group seen, Simon picked up an all dark Scoter with white on the back of the head. Views were brief but looked very good for male Surf Scoter.
The now usual waders were on the sea-weed with the Purple Sandpiper showing off very nicely. Managed to connect with the Water Pipit again, and better views than before.