Crowle And Thorne Moors NNR......

Female Common Lizard.

Tree-damsel Bug.

A visit today to this superb site saw us seeing a varied array of insects and birds while on site.Bird highlights consisted of 3 1st summer Hobby hawking dragonfly's over the peaty pools on the vast Thorne Moors,with a distant Marsh Harrier also seen here.Other birds seen,included 11 Siskin,Green and Great-spotted Woodpecker's and several juvenile Willow Warbler.Insects were obviously well represented,with 10 species of butterfly being seen,with the highlight being 2 Holly Blue and a couple of late Large Skipper,with good numbers of Peacock being seen also.Animal highlights included a male Adder and a Grass Snake,swimming in one of the drainage dykes and several Common Lizard,like the female above.Another great visit to this brilliant site with some nice company.

Roesel's-bush Cricket......

The River Ancholme at Saxby Bridge.

Male Roesel's-bush Cricket.

A few hours spare this afternoon and a visit to the carrs,resulted in a nice surprise in the guise of a male Roesel's-bush Cricket along the main track down to the river at Bonby.It was found in an area of rank grass along the track edge and i was first drawn to the electricity like stridulation of this species.It was of the migratory macropterous form 'Diluta' and is the first record of the species i have personally recorded away from the coastal Lincolnshire population and Chamber's farm wood area.Other insect sightings comprised of 6 species of Butterfly and a subterranean Tree Wasp nest.Unfortunately today,both the Common Crane and Osprey were not seen,but raptors were well represented otherwise by a cracking juv. Peregrine,single Hobby,7 Common Buzzard and at least 4 Marsh Harrier.I also enjoyed superb views of a Sedge Warbler which had caught a Common Darter to feed it's chicks,now that will be a mouthfull for any young warbler!.A good few hours in the warm afternoon sun.

Barton and Alk......

Juvenile Kittiwake.

A change of scenery today included a visit to the Far-Ings area at Barton and a few hours at Alkborough Flats.Highlights at Barton consisted of very little in the way of surprises,but i enjoyed some lovely views of the resident Marsh Harrier's,with 1 particular juvenile showing brilliantly!.Also around the pits were a female Tuftie with a young brood of 6 ducklings and 6 Red Admiral were seen zooming about the flowers.After enjoying my walk here i made my way to Alkborough after visiting the visitor centre shop and parting with a very well spent 25 quid for the Butterflies of Britain and Ireland by Lewington and Thomas,a book i have been after for a while!.At Alkborough the highlight was an unfortunate one,as i found a Juvenile Kittiwake sat in the grass infront of the main hide,with the bird in a very distressed state,it later,sadly died,what a shame!.This little beauty,no doubt came from the relatively near breeding colonies at Bempton and Flamborough.Other birds here were at least 4 Greenshank,13 Dunlin and a single adult Little Stint,the Stint had me going for a while as it looked more interesting than it obviously was until the heat haze subsided,my first of the year!.Other sightings of note included a single Brown Hare and several more Red Admirals.A good few hours in the nice weather!.

The Carr's and Mess....

Digger Wasp - Ammophila sabulosa.

Brown Argus.

Common Toad.

Juvenile Reed Warbler.

Firstly a visit to the carrs to check out a reported Quail or 2 at Worlaby drew a blank,but i managed to see a single Barn Owl sat next to it's nest box at the river and amazingly i could hear the Common Crane calling from the direction of Bonby,so that was my next port of call.On the way down to the river at Bonby another Barn Owl was seen,but this time at close range showing very nicely along the roadside,what a beauty!.I then parked up and had a scan around and before long the female Osprey flew in with a fish and proceeded to eat it's breakfast.I again heard the Crane calling from the direction of Saxby village,but still didn't see it!.Also seen down here was a single Peregrine perched on top of one of the pylons across the river in Appleby Carrs.I then travelled over to Messingham to see what i could find around the reserve with the best bird highlights being 1 adult and 2 juv. Spotted Flycatcher showing very well as the adult fed it's hungry fledglings,2 juv. Common Tern over Grebe lake,1 Green Woodpecker and a single Green Sand.Insect highlights were provided by 14 Red Admiral,Brown Argus and a Violet-ground Beetle.On the journey home,2 Common Buzzard and a single Marsh Harrier was seen over fields near to Briggate Lodge roundabout.

Sweet Honey!.....

Comma.

Red Admiral.

Hedge Bindweed.

A visit to New Holland this morning to do my Webs count,saw very little wader's being seen,but i did manage a cracking female Honey Buzzard,which flew over my head and south west inland,being briefly mobbed by a couple of corvids before i lost it in the distance over Barrow.What was most certainly the same bird,was seen by N.D. at Appleby Carrs a couple of hours later!.The only other notable highlights from my webs count included 1 Common Sandpiper,104 Mute Swan and a passing female Marsh Harrier,which flew through my field of view while watching the Honey.Also seen was a single Grey Seal and at least 6 Red Admiral butterflies.A cracking few hours!.

Wader extravaganza!....

After finally finishing my week of nights,and after a quick hours kip this morning,i headed for Blacktoft Sands RSPB in East Yorkshire.I had of course travelled today to try and see again,Tuesday's Marsh Sandpiper.After arriving and a brief encounter with a not very helpfull RSPB warden!,i made my way down to Singleton hide enjoying superb views of 2 2nd cal yr. Spoonbill's,9 Little Egret,6 Marsh Harrier,50 Black-tailed Godwit,Greenshank,Common Sandpiper and 2 summer plumaged male Ruff(1 of which was colour-ringed),but sadly no sign of the Marsh Sand.By this time it was torrential rain and myself along with a couple of other birders were stuck,but thankfully the Marsh Sand flew in straight past us and out of view,at least it was still here!.This theme continued as it was pretty flighty,but we all managed prolonged,excellent views from 'First Hide',being seen in the same scope views as Garganey,Wood and Green Sands,simply superb!and made up for the brief views on Tuesday morning at Alkborough.Also enjoyed here were the afore mentioned Green and Wood Sands,with 7 of the former and 2 of the latter being seen and on more than one occasion,feeding together,allowing a superb comparison of both species feeding alongside one another.Also seen while sat in the hide here were 11 flyby summer plumaged Spotted Redshank and the lovely Garganey,which looked like an eclipse male,but i couldn't be 100% sure as i didn't see the wing pattern,although it did have quite a strong head pattern!.A brilliant 3 hours around the reserve,albeit a bit of a soaking in between hides,but it was well worth it!!.

Marsh Sand......

After getting a text of Neil last night,just as i was about to leave for work,i prayed the bird would be still present this morning and sure enough a well timed text again from Neil confirmed it's prescence,as i was leaving work for home.A quick u-turn and i was there.The bird was watched briefly from the bank top as it fed with 2 Greenshank ,but for some unknown reason,the birds were spooked and flew.After a search of all possible areas the bird could have been,it was re-found across the border in Yorkshire at Blacktoft Sands RSPB.This bird is the first in Lincolnshire since one at Bardney Beet factory in spring 1992 and is a long awaited addition to my personal and Lincolnshire list.It would have been great to have seen it at close range,but beggars can't be choosers in this game!.Also around the reserve included male Marsh Harrier,Spotted Redshank and the 2 Spoonbill's.The latter doing what Spoonbill's do best,sleeping,although one did stretch itself on one occasion!.A frantic few hours and i eventually caught up with some sleep!.

Bonby again!.....

Puss Moth larvae.

Puss Moth larvae.

An early morning start at the Carrs this morning as the sun came up,saw me getting some great sightings over the next couple of hours.On the way from Barnetby,i saw a single Barn Owl flying along the main street in Worlaby before i arrived at Bonby and was greeted to the superb sound of a calling Crane as i got out of the car.It was so still,and this fantastic call was echoing all around and then the Crane flew past heading towards Worlaby Carrs,a patch tick!.It later flew back to it's favourite field at Bonby adjacent to were the female Osprey was sat in her favourite tree!.She did a brief spell of flying about before again returning to the tree and stayed there until i left.Apart from the birds,i had come to try and find yesterdays Puss Moth larvae,which Colin had found and luckily i found 1,what a stunning caterpillar they are in the flesh,with the lovely lime,grey and white colouration,the amazing clown-like facial markings and double tail.When i found the Sallow Kitten larvae y.day i wasn't sure about the identification fully until i arrived home and was gutted to see Col's photo,so had to pop back this morning for a second look.I have always wanted to find a Puss Moth caterpillar after seeing them in a book as fledgling naturalist 35 plus years ago! and now i have,bloody brilliant!.A great few hours in the complete solitude of the Carrs all on my tod,with some brilliant birds and insects!.

Mess and Bonby bits.....

Dune Helleborine.

Sallow Kitten larvae.

The wolds at Saxby.

An early start today saw me firstly visiting a cloudy and dull MSQ first and then heading for the Ancholme valley afterwards,resulting in some great sightings over the next 9 hours.Highlights seen at Mess included 3 Common Crossbill over,at least 1 Spotted Flycatcher still present in the plantation and a female Marsh Harrier also flying over.Very little else was seen here apart from the Dune and Marsh Helleborine's which are now in full flower and a brief view of a Fox and i also enjoyed watching a newly fledged brood of Wren's,which scolded me as i got too close,super little birds!.So it was onto Saxby and by this time the weather had certainly improved and was 21 degrees!.On arrival at the river,the female Osprey could be seen sat atop a tree in the distance and thankfully this was the direction i was heading in.After an enjoyable walk seeing a couple of Common Darter and at least 10 Small White,i arrived opposite the Osprey and enjoyed some superb views of this cracking eagle as it sat on it's regular perch.It then took flight and began soaring around with a Common Buzzard and Hobby in the same scope view before heading towards South Ferriby and that was the last time i saw it today.Also,in the field next to were the Osprey had been sat was the immature Common Crane and it showed brilliantly today at close range allowing some great views through the scope and it eventually sat down and went to sleep.We are so lucky this year to have 2 stonking birds summering on the doorstep,brilliant!.The reason i had actually visited Bonby today,wasn't to look for the birds,but some caterpillars i had found on some Sallows a couple of weeks ago.The caterpillars were identified as Sallow Kitten larvae and are superb looking,colourfull beasties,a real bonus and made my day!.The only other sightings along the river here included a single female Marsh Harrier,Common Darter and a family of Whitethroats,which gave cracking views in a patch of nettles and bramble.A great day out today,despite getting a real soaking at Bonby,but it was well worth it!.

A great day out!.....

Wood Ants,Bedford Perlieus.

Wood Ant,Bedford Perlieus.

Female Silver-washed Fritillary.

White-letter Hairstreak,Bedford Perlieus.

A day out today with Dave and Colin to a few sites in Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire resulted in a fantastic day's wildlife watching.The first site we visited was the superb NNR at Bedford Perlieus,were we enjoyed a multitude of different species.Bird wise,the highlight of the day went to a cracking male Honey Buzzard watched soaring over the woodland here in the company of 2 Common Buzzard and was a real bonus as we searched the extensive woodland rides.Other bird sightings included several Red Kites,Nuthatch and Marsh Tits and a single Crossbill.The real reason to visit this site was to see what butterflies we could see and they certainly came up with the goods today,with superb views of both the beautiful Silver-washed Fritillary and the diminutive White-letter Hairstreak as both species showed brilliantly while nectaring on the woodland flowers,the Silver-washed being particularly stunning,what a cracking species!.Another surprise sighting was a single Dark-green Fritillary,my second sighting of the year.Other insects seen included my first Common Darter of the year,a female Black-tailed Skimmer,Speckled,Dark and Roesel's-bush Cricket's with a huge Wood Ant nest also found.After enjoying this super site we moved onto Fairmyn Wood.The main target here was obviously Purple Emperor,and we managed at least 6 individuals of this beautiful woodland butterfly,which included 1 on the ground and an egg-laying female,watched in a Sallow.Other butterfly species seen here included a single Silver-washed Fritillary,6 White Admiral,which were my first of the year and a couple of Dragonfly species also which included 3 Brown Hawker and 2 Southern Hawker.Birds seen here included a distant Red Kite,Grasshopper Warbler and a bathing Garden Warbler.Mammal sightings were provided today by a couple of Foxes and 3 lovely Fallow Deer.Some very nice plants were also enjoyed today and included Violet and Broad-leaved Helleborine's,the former being a new species for myself.A superb day out,with several first sightings of the year and an impressive 18 species of butterfly!.