But not as quiet as it was yesterday around Conder Green/Glasson Dock/Cockersands please. Like the man sat in a hide at Leighton Moss who spoke those famous words to me as I entered the hide....'nowt about'....when moments later a Bittern and a Bearded Tit flew past the hide whilst he was gabbling to the person sat next to him who was actually reading a newspaper!
At Conder Green, the immature drake Goldeneye remains on Conder Pool with 7 Tufted Duck, 3 Wigeon, 32 Redshank in the creeks was a hint that the summer is on its way out for them, four 'hyrundine species' were hawking over the pool included at least six House Martin nests being attended to at River Winds. And another Small Skipper seen here again....Alleluia.
At Cockersands with nothing more than a visit to Plover Scar to note 4 Oystercatcher and a Wheatear. Also a singing Whitethroat, and Herring Gull R3RG seen for my fourth time.
So....as butterflies are my topic at the moment, I think this one has been featured previously on Birds2blog, but if it has....ne'rmind.
Sylvain Azure Limenitis reducta Noushka Dufort
The British White Admiral Limenitis camilla is of the family Nymphalidae, the largest family of butterflies with about 6,000 species distributed throughout most of the world. The Sylvain Azure and is a woodland species which literally glides along forest rides, flying from tree to forest floor and back up with only a few effortless wing beats. For this reason, some of its closest relatives on the continent are known as "gliders". When settled, the adults are unmistakable, with their black uppersides intersected by prominent white bars. Found in central and southern England, as well as in a few scattered colonies in the eastern counties of Wales, it is not found in Scotland, Ireland, or the Isle of Man.
In the early 1900s the species had declined to the point that it was restricted to southern England. However, there seems to have been a reversal, with the butterfly reaching its former distribution that extends as far north as Lincolnshire. One explanation is that global warming has allowed the species to thrive at sites that had become too cool. Another is that the cessation of coppicing, that has been detrimental to so many woodland butterflies, has benefited this species which requires Honeysuckle growing in shady woodland for the successful development of its larvae.
And finally....
In the early 1900s the species had declined to the point that it was restricted to southern England. However, there seems to have been a reversal, with the butterfly reaching its former distribution that extends as far north as Lincolnshire. One explanation is that global warming has allowed the species to thrive at sites that had become too cool. Another is that the cessation of coppicing, that has been detrimental to so many woodland butterflies, has benefited this species which requires Honeysuckle growing in shady woodland for the successful development of its larvae.
And finally....
Red-backed Shrike. Marc Heath.
Thanks for this Marc....Just reward, and congratulations. These two images are definitely brilliant 'clik the pik' candidates.
I'm not able to update the Birdwatch issue in my sidebar when I publish this post as the update isn't yet available, but the connection between that and the brilliant image of the Red-backed Shrike above can be found HERE
I'm not able to update the Birdwatch issue in my sidebar when I publish this post as the update isn't yet available, but the connection between that and the brilliant image of the Red-backed Shrike above can be found HERE
