....No, this is Bowland Gold.
Grizedale Bridge-Holme Wood.
I stood by Grizedale Brook for almost two hours yesterday, relocating four times between Grizedale Bridge and Holme Wood, during which I had sightings of 13 Golden-ringed Dragonfly. The sight of these brilliant creatures flying past me up and downstream, was a magical and relaxing experience.
I think it was maybe a little over zealous of me to regard five of the sightings as duplicated, but the record now has to read, 8 Golden-ringed Dragonflies seen. This record brings the total to fourteen at four locations, found in our recording area in one month.
A Common Hawker came to rest on the opposite side of the stream. Four Raven were overhead, and a Peregrine Falcon was in hunting mode. Butterflies of note, 4 Green-veined White, with numbers of Large White on the day.
Harrisend Fell.
A couple of hours on Harrisend resulted in my finding 18 Stonechat, including 9 young seen, with one female feeding a begging young. This record has evidence of at least three breeding pairs, but I reckon I failed to find more young, with skulking and a lot of movement evident.
With the exception of one recent major surprise in 2020*, todays record represents the highest count of Stonechat at any one location in our recording area since the status of the species declined following the two severe winters of 2009/10/11.
Some records I traced to back up this claim....
2006 June: 27 Stonechat Cross of Greet
2006 Aug: 19 Stonechat Barbondale
2008 June: 19 Stonechat Harrisend
2008 Oct: 22 Stonechat Harrisend
2020 Aug: 18 Stonechat Caton Moor *
Also seen, a Kestrel and Buzzard showing off its hanging on the wing capabilities to the full, also 6 Meadow Pipit and 2 Willow Warbler noted.
Butterfly records continue to be sparse with today being no exception, but it was pleasing to find my first Painted Lady, being just one of a handful of reports I've seen this year. Also, 3 Small Copper, 2 Small Heath, 2 Meadow Brown, and a Peacock.
I'm Golden ringed jealous. Would love to see these in my part of Kent. I think your Migrant Hawker shot is actually a Common Hawker. Take care
ReplyDeleteThat's an impressive GRD count, Pete. Sounds like good news about the Stonechat too, and I know how much that species means to you.
ReplyDeleteStay safe - - - Richard
You don't think Marc, you know it's a Common Hawker, duly edited....WHOOPS!
ReplyDeleteThanks Marc.
The GRD's on Grizedale Brook, and Stonechats on Harrisend were a welcomed tonic.
ReplyDeleteThanks Richard.
Pete - As regards butterfly records I have had 10 different species over the last couple of weeks in my garden on Bowerham Road.
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting Ian.
ReplyDeleteThis summer, with the the exception of our first Small Skipper, a few Small Tortoiseshell and two unidentified 'small blue' butterflies whizzing through the garden, the only butterflies we have seen are Large Whites. To be honest, I think there's a problem with the butterflies this year.
Thank you for this Ian.