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!.