A decent days birding two weeks after my last.
Conder Green.
My count of 23 Common Tern didn't reflect the full and accurate picture, with 17 and the possibility of 19 nests currently. My count of 18 Avocet didn't reflect the full picture here either, with just 5 seen on Conder Pool, and 13 seen in the creeks where I saw just one of the only four surviving chicks.
I saw 2 Little Ringed Plover which have also suffered predation on two earlier attempts to breed. Interestingly, I observed one LRP creating a scrape, then promptly sitting to give the impression there was going to be a third attempt to breed.
Not the best of news from Conder Pool....Obviously a serial predator at large on Conder Pool this year, seeing just a handful of Black-headed Gull chicks, and in excess of an unbelievable 100 Black-headed Gull nests lost.
I am grateful to Howard Stockdale for giving me an insight into the disaster at Conder Green this summer.
But excellent for me, was that two of the four 2nd summer Little Gull found last Sunday, had decided to linger here until I could get to see them....Alleluia!
From the viewing platform, through binoculars I could count at least 7 House Martin nests at River Winds.
Saltcote Pond.
I was pleased to find 12 Common Blue Damselfly, and 2 Blue-tailed Damselfly, also 3 Broad-bodied Chaser, seen as two male, one trying to see the other off, zipping around the pond at lightning speed.
Broad-bodied Chaser Male. Pete Woodruff.
Later a female Broad-bodied Chaser seen ovipositing....
Blue-tailed Damselfly. Pete Woodruff.
....and a second rate image of a Blue-tailed Damselfly of the form Rufescens obsoleta
Glasson Canal Towpath.
A 1/4 mile wander along the canal towpath for dragons was a blank, but I noted a Chiffchaff, Sedge Warbler, and Song Thrush. Up to 12 House Martin were over the canal and fields....Don't know what that was about, perhaps late arrivals?
Picture Gallery.
I was pleased to receive three images recently, all duly credited, and welcomed to hopefully keep B2B interesting....Please view Full Screen for best result.
Mediterranean Gull Conder Pool 1 June. Howard Stockdale.
Not all doom and gloom, as a 2nd summer and adult Mediterranean Gull were on Conder Pool this morning.
Macro Ant'ics. Martin Jump.
Martin Jump said he's been 'playing around with the macro lens'. I told him this is impressive macro work, and I reckon the ant is nothing less than razor sharp here.
White Ermine. Ian Mitchell.
The spectacular White Ermine moth, perfectly posed on the flower bud.
Garden News.
Leaf Cutter Bee Megachile centuncularis Pete Woodruff
A couple of nice bees in the garden recently, as yet not verified.
Tree Bumblebee Bombus hypnorum Pete Woodruff
