Moths

A worn male Buff ermine.
Heart and dart
Spectacled moth
peppered moth
Just 4 species caught last night, but all fascinating!

Swift/House martin

Early evening brought the odd swift and many martins over the house. The excellent light and strong cool north westerly brought out the best in these birds.

Spotted flycatcher

After a warm sunny day i walked up the river near troutsdale late afternoon. The air was cooler and in the dappled sunlight this flycatcher was feeding over the river. Notice the large tick just behind the ear covert. Typically flying quickly out to catch insects, returning to its perch. After a short time it was gone and all was quiet.

An evening stroll.

A selection of birds enjoying warm early evening sunshine along the river near Hackness. The common whitethroat uttering its deep churr warning, a young song thrush sunning itself, not as wary yet as the adults. A distinctive call high in an alder shows the male yellowhammer, half asleep almost but calling repeatedly to another male nearby, quite a stunning bird! Finally the male blackbird perches in the open singing away, oblivious to all. Time flies!

Lesser whitethroat

Usually a skulking difficult bird to photograph but this bird appeared to investigate the noisy wren, beautiful in pristine breeding plumage.

Wren and Dunnock

A loud burst of song revealed this aggitated wren scolding a stunned dunnock.

Red Legged Partridge

Red legged appearing, even in a flat field they are masters of just blending in.