Gold Digging....Again.

Grizedale Brook.

I watched a Golden-ringed Dragonfly flying towards me from this watchpoint on Thursday.

An hour earlier, I had failed to find anything here, but the return paid off and the dragonfly flew by me and continued upstream and out of sight.  

I walked back upstream to see the/another dragonfly flying back under Grizedale Bridge. Grizedale Brook is a good example of the perfect habitat for the Golden-ringed Dragonfly, it being unique in its breeding habit which is confined to acidic upland streams.

Also seen here, 6 Large Red Damselfly, and 7 Small Heath, 3 Meadow Brown, a Red Admiral and Speckled Wood.

Harrisend Fell.

Three hours on Harrisend had me find 12 Stonechat, evidence of four breeding pairs, including four juvenile. Also seen, 6 Mistle Thrush, 5 Meadow Pipit and at least as many heard, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Linnet, with a few singing Willow Warbler heard, and 8 Small Heath butterflies.

Common Blue Damselfly Female. Pete Woodruff.

I was a little surprised to find this Common Blue Damselfly on the moorland of Harrisend Fell, with not a waterbody in sight.

Conder Pool.

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This 10 second video clip of two fledged Common Tern, also shows a Little Ringed Plover as a bonus. 

Common Tern Conder Pool 2 July 2021. Howard Stockdale.

Many thanks to Howard Stockdale for the video and image, both of which represent the eighth year for successful breeding of the Common Tern on the ever brilliant Conder Pool.