7/5/17

7/5/17
Same again. Another fantastic day for migrants. To start of the day There was the coot pair which has been seen for the past few weeks with the 2 Coot Chicks which seem tobe growing well.

Coots which have been here for about 3 weeks (image by Luke Anderson)

Walking my regular route there were about 9 ChiffChaff heard throughout the whole day. A disapointing count from previous times. First off i tought to have a little insect search which came out with a Birch Shieldbug and around 3 Cucumber Spider which were a fairly large size, adding to that there was a displaying pair of hoverflieswhich was quite nice to see.

Birch Shieldbug resting itself on a birch leaf (Image by Luke Anderson

1 of 3 Cucumber spiders which had wrapped itself between the
 leaves in the trees (Image by Luke Anderson

Displaying Hoverflies (Image by Luke Anderson)

Further down the same path i managed to come across a tree with around 4 Willow Flea Beetles and running across the path there was a Agriotes Lineatus which in my eyes is a fairly nice looking beetle.

Agriotes lineautus running across the path (Image By Luke Anderson)

Soon after finding the Beetle i looked towards the oak trees where there were 2 Striped Oak Bug on the trees accompanied by a few other insects. Ending my walk on that path i looked towards the skies were around 8 Whitethroat became present during the day.

Singing Whitethroat (Image by Luke Anderson)

Closer to the end of the day i eventually reached the Mainlake were spring was in full throttle with 6 Coot Chicks as well as 6 Mallard Chicks. The Great Crested Grebe (pair) was still present as well as the Swan (pair) which were still laying on the nest.

Great Crested Grebe (Image by Luke Anderson)

Today was a great day to see the Reed Warblers as about 8 were present as well as them being very showy. While watching the reed warblers a Male Reed Bunting made a quick apperance before darting back into the reeds.

Reed Warbler (Image by Luke Anderson)

After the walk around the lake it was to the secret meadow unknown by most. This place came out with a Agalenatea Redii and my new favourite spider up to date a Euophrys Frontalis.

Agalenatea Redii (Image by Luke Anderson)

Euophrys Frontalis (Image by Luke Anderson)

After visiting the meadow i thought i would take a look by the wastland next to the mainlake as i had suspicions that wheatear could be found there so i went along and behold there were 5 Northern Wheatear Which is a First Record for the site which i was vey chuffed about. To make things even better the Common Sandpiper also showed up next to the lake as well as 2 Pied Wagtails, 10 House Martin and a singing Willow Warbler.

Northern Wheatear (Image by Luke Anderson)

To end off the day it was a quick trip to the backpools were i picked up 2 Reed Warbler in B&Q reed bed as well as 2 Common Buzzards which flew past. The final count for the backpools came up with 3 Tufted duck, 2 House Martin, 3 Moorhens with 1 Chick and around 8 or 10 Canada Goose with 5 Goslings belonging to one of them. For the last insect of the day it was a Swollen-thighed Flower Beetle on a buttercup.

Swollen-Thighed Flower Beetle (Image by Luke Anderson)