Pectoral Sandpiper, Swillington Ings

Pectoral Sandpiper 1

Year: 256 (Pectoral Sandpiper)

Amazing views of the pec sand, we accidently flushed it from the causeway and  it landed about 10 feet in front of us for about 2 minutes until a cyclist flushed it.

Wykeham Forest Raptor Watch Point, North Yorkshire

Honey Buzzard 1
Goshawk 3
Hobby 1
Buzzard 10
Sparrowhawk 2
Kestrel

Year: 255 (Honey Buzzard)

My experience of raptor watch points is usually pretty poor. I generally see just a few distant Buzzards and the occasional Sparrowhawk. Today was different, with lots of raptor activity despite the far from ideal weather. We had several good views of goshawks, and a close fly past by a hobby, but the best was left until last, a superb honey buzzard, not as close as we would have liked but still a decent view and clearly identifiable. A great way to pass 7 hours!

Night Heron, Cheltenham

The Night Heron was an amazing sight on the banks of the lake at Pittville Park near the centre of Cheltenham. Usually Night Herons are very elusive during the day, as the name implies, roosting in trees and difficult to spot, but this one was feeding under the trees. A great sight!

South Wales

Wood Warbler 2
Tree Pipit 1 singing

Dragonflies:
Golden-ringed Dragonfly 2
Broad-bodied Chaser 5
Emperor Dragonfly 1

Amongst other things this week I've been using a new eDNA technique to check for the presence of Great Crested Newts. This involves taking water samples from ponds and eradicates the need to use bottle traps. Great to be involved in this cutting edge methodology. The downside is you don't need to see the newts to prove presence, but on the upside eDNA is a lot more scientific than a homemade trap made from an old pop bottle and cane.

Wood Warbler.

Stonechat.

Newport Wetlands, Gwent

Definitely after the Lord Mayor's Show, I called in at Newport Wetlands RSPB today, in the vain hope that the long staying Savi's Warbler would still be there, but no, as I suspected due to the lack of recent reports, it's gone, or at least not singing, which amounts to more or less the same thing.

Still, it was good to tick off another RSPB reserve, and I did hear at least six Cetti's Warblers, and saw a Green Woodpecker and a Whimbrel.

Female Pochard with chick.

Red-eyed Damsels at Leg O'Mutton

Red-eyed Damselflies are now out at Leg O'Mutton Dam, near Taylor Park. This is one of the few places in St Helens where you can see this species. I counted at least 20 today. Not such good news from nearby Paddock Dam, where much of the species preferred habitat of lily pads seems to have been removed.

This is a male.

This male and female are not mating. The male is laying claim to the female until she is ready to lay her eggs.

Let battle commence!

Eccleston Mere

Mute Swan 2
Gadwall 2 male & female
Kingfisher
Tufted Duck 7

Swans feed on vegetation on the bottom of lakes.