August Update.

Hirundines are now grouping up and preparing to head south, although some Sand Martins at the Bagworth wall are still on late broods. A male and female/juv Redstart were in the hedge line above Stony Bank on Monday. An adult Reed Warbler was feeding a juvenile at Church Farm and today I trapped and rung a juvenile Reewa at my Thornton ringing site, a site ringing tick. There was also a fly over Red Kite and at the Top End of the reservoir a juvenile Water Rail, perhaps evidence of local breeding. A Hobby was also seen carrying prey.

Essex Skipper.

It was pleasing to be able to add Essex Skipper to the list of butterflies at Bagworth Heath. This individual shows the characteristic antennae tips, that look like they have been dipped in black paint.
Other species at Bagworth Heath included Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Small and Large Skipper, and several Marbled Whites.

Comsa.

Three Common Sandpipers were on the dam this morning. Yesterday there were 38 Tufted Duck, the majority being males. There is also a brood of 3 Tuftys. Three Dabchick are sitting on nests and one has at least a single chick visible.

Marbled White.

Recently up to 13 Marbled Whites have been recorded at Bagworth Heath. Also present are Small Heath, Ringlets, Common Blue and Meadow Browns. Previously I had only seen Marbled White at Leire in Leicestershire, so an encouraging County record.

Thanks Billy.

We had a great guided tour of the top birding sites on the south shore of the Firth of Forth. A huge thank you to Bad Boy Billy Barber, ace birder, photographer, historian and wit!

 A dusting of Gannets on Bass Rock.

 Billy informs me that there are now 150,000 Gannets using the Bass Rock. This is a 24% increase on 2009. It ranks as the largest Gannetry in the world. Awesome.

Ben Lawers Delivers!

 Our recent trip to Scotland in search of Mountain Ringlet was a great success.

 Some wonderful mountain scenery was enjoyed and the weather was kind to us.

 A Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary was a nice find.

 Ben Lawers demonstrates what can be achieved when sheep and deer are excluded. More like what the Highlands should look like. A species rich gem.

 There is now a landscaped car park, but no visitor centre at Ben Lawers.

 We walked up the Edramucky Burn.

 At last the sun shone and we were rewarded with some great views of Mountain Ringlet.

 One individual was particularly friendly and seemed happy to warm up on me.

 End of a wonderful journey. My 58th British butterfly species.

 There were also Golden Ringed Dragonflies and some great flowers.

Dave Newlands book, Discover Butterflies in Britain has been a great help in our tracking down of butterflies in GB.
We stayed at Kiltyrie Farmhouse B and B, jane@bigshed.org.uk Thanks Jane for your wonderful hospitality. Stay here if you want easy access to Ben Lawers and the surrounding area. It is definitely now one of our favourite places.

June updates.

At least 2 Reed Warblers are in residence at opposite ends of the reservoir. One was seen carrying food on the 14th June. I have seen Red Kite on two occasions and hopefully they are breeding locally. Two Hobbys have also been seen hunting hirundines and dragonflies. On the 8th June a Broad Bodied Chaser was over the garden pond.
The sign explaining about the tern rafts has been installed. On the 18th a pair of Common Terns were sitting on the rafts and feeding over the reservoir. It would be fantastic if they decide to breed this year.