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Weekend of adventure Day 2 and the plan for today was the Tywell Hills and Dales Nature Reserve  near Kettering about 25 mins from where I was staying at Woodnewton at the Bridge Cottage b&b (see b&b  tab for more info).

On arriving I could immediately see the area was abound with Marbled White Butterflies they were just everywhere you looked, walking into the whitestone pay off the reserve there was even more to be seen.  Along with the whites there could be seen Common Blue, Large Skippers, Ringlet and Meadow Brown,  a Four Spotted Chaser was also seen all but briefly.
I decided on a walk around the perimeter too see what else was on show,  I found a few Small Heaths, Speckled Woods and a few Burnet Companion Moths,  Speckled Wood were found in the more shadier places and a Red Admiral on the path. Back at the start a guy I’d met early was still in the same spot I’d left him in, we got chatting and enjoyed Marbled White’s together for a couple of hours more than the guy wanted to but the whites were putting on a good show,  he eventually left leaving me to enjoy by myself.  Birds on site were Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff that i noted  but as the butterflies were so enjoyable I didn’t take birds in add much.

I too finally tore myself away and ended up at the Purple Emperor site at Fermyn Woods were there wasn’t a lot of action Speckled Wood,  Comma, and  Marsh Tit were about it, so I decided on ending the day in Fermyn Country Park were I saw a few Four Spotted Chaser were zipping around the pool,  up on the top I found more Marbled White,  Large Skippers,  a couple of Small Skippers,  Ringlet and Meadow Brown,  and what I believe to be a Small Argent and Sable Moth.

The day list
Red Kite, Hobby, Blackcap,  Willow Warbler,  Chiffchaff,  Marsh Tit,  Marbled White Butterfly,  Large Skipper Butterfly,   Small Skipper Butterfly,  Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly,  Common Blue Butterfly,  Small Heath Butterfly,  Red Admiral Butterfly,  Ringlet Butterfly,   Meadow Brown Butterfly,  Small White Butterfly,  Argent and Sable Moth, Burnet Companion Moth, Four Spotted Chaser Dragonfly,  Blue Tailed Damselfly

Marbled White Butterfly

Weekend of adventure and day 1 was to be at Salcey Forest just off the M1 at junction 15. I parked up using the car park near the Forest Cafe and after doing so Asked here for a map, which they didn’t have,  so I took a picture of the map on the wall and headed off into the forest in a north’ish direction. It wasn’t long before I spotted the quarry of my visit Wood White Butterfly, they were distant at first but I needn’t have worried about seeing any for as I got v further into the forest they were everywhere the most numerous of the day,  along with Speckled Wood. Other butterflies of the forest today were Large Skipper, Red Admiral, Common Blue, Ringlet and Meadow Brown.

The birds were more heard than seen now due to the good covering of foliage so it was down to the ears today and not the eyes, so mostly heard were Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Common Whitethroat with the odd Blue Tit, Goldcrest and Garden Warbler thrown in, also heard was a Great Spotted and Green Woodpecker. A Common Buzzard was seen drifting over the forest.

The day was getting hotter and by now I had gotten lost it was then that I stumbled upon a small pond just off the main footpath and hard to see. I stopped off for a looksie and found a number of Four Spotted Chasers which were hassling a beautiful male Broad bodied Chaser, getting photos of either species was proving difficult always resting in places just out of sight. Along with the dragonflies of course were Damselflies mostly Azure, and Blue tailed but a nice bonus was a male Banded Demoiselle.

At this point I needed to find a way out of the forest, all I can say is I love my smart phone, when it finally got a signal. Well it walked me out seeing very little else of note apart from 2 hawker species which went unidentified, the cafe at the end provided a welcome cup of tea and a slice of fruit cake.

Adventure weekend day 1 over here’s the day list :-

Common Buzzard, Common Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Jackdaw, Blue Tit, Goldcrest, Wood White Butterfly, Speckled Wood Butterfly, Red Admiral Butterfly, Ringlet Butterfly, Meadow Brown, Butterfly, Large Skipper Butterfly, Common Blue Butterfly, Broad Bodied Chaser Dragonfly, Four Spotted Chaser Dragonfly, Azure Damselfly, Banded Demoiseille

Wood White Butterfly

Spotted Longhorn Beetle

Broad Bodied Chaser Dragonfly

Is been a great week this week with all the fine weather so after work I decided on an hour at the Old Bulcliffe colliery site to see what was on the wing,  very little.
There was however a good number of Small Heath butterfly out along with a smaller number of Common Blue and a couple of Dingy Skipper but no Damselfly or Dragonflies to be seen.
Birds seen were Chiffchaff,  Sparrowhawk,  Kestrel,  Goldfinch,  Willow Warbler and Blackcap

Common Blue Butterfly

Dingy Skipper

Nice sunny day with a few hours to spare so I dashed up to Thurstonland to see if there was any butterflies about.  The sun was still with me, but the wind was still blowing strong, it took about 10 mins but I got a quick glimpse of a Small Heath as it went by.  I ventured further along the trail but found nothing so decided on working my way back to the area I first saw the Small Heath.  I eventually caught sight of one,  a Small Heath, on the opposite banking to previous sighting,  then I started seeing a few,  add a Mother Shipton Moth (briefly), and a Speckled Wood and that was about it

Birds on the bank included Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap and a Garden Warbler

Mother Shipton Moth

Small Heath

A change of venue and County this week to a place I should have gone to on a planned visit for the 18th March but due to my car being written off on the 17th I didn’t manage to get, so things were put right today and Leighton Moss RSPB in Lancashire was on the radar for a visit.

News from Leighton before I set off was of a Yankie bird called a Pied Billed Grebe, I had seen one back in 2010 at Hollingworth Lake [Video Link], but this one was in summer plumage, so today would be a bonus, the bird was last seen down at the Lower Hide, which of course is the  furthest part of the reserve to get to. Anyways I set off early about 7am and arrived at 8:45am to virtually an empty car park and having got the gear ready I planned to at the Grebe location and work back to the centre so off I set towards the Lower Hide.

Down the causeway I encountered Sedge and Reed Warblers, Black headed Gulls overhead, down along the bottom path thru the wooded area a friendly pair of Pheasant joined me for part of the walk probably hoping for a little snack, unfortunately for them I’d left the sandwiches back in the car and the pie had already been eaten, nice it was too.

Robins, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcap were seen before hitting the Lower Hide were I soon settled in to a crowed hide awaiting the ‘Yankie’ which by all accounts hadn’t been seen since 5:30am and then only briefly. So I decided I’d give it an hour before moving on in the mean time there was Sand Martins, Swallows and a few Swifts flying around along with a pair of Marsh Harriers to enjoy. Grey Heron lifted from the reeds to my right before settling back in to another part of the reeds further round, birds on the water included Pochard, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Canada and Greylag Geese, then something then broke the water which I thought was an eel at first but then a head appeared, great Otters (2), my first sighting at Leighton, they soon swam passed and disappeared out of sight, still no sign of the Grebe. The hour was up I was back on the track again, got talking to someone along the track who said the Grebe was now showing well the Public Hide, which I’d past earlier to get to the Lower Hide, so I made my way to the Public Hide enjoying Robin, Pheasant, Sedge Warbler, Blackcap and a Peacock butterfly along the way.

I soon arrived at the Public hide and settled in to people talking about where the Grebe was last seen it wasn’t long before the Pied billed Grebe showed itself again emerging from the reeds and gave quick and distant views but saw it we did.

After the Grebe I went on to the centre area and Lillians Hide and from here I watched Black headed Gulls a plenty, a few Ruff, Wood Sandpiper, Dunlin, Black tailed Godwit, a male Garganey

On then towards the Allen and Eric Morecambe Hides and its here that I caught up with the Avocets plenty of these to see along with more Black headed Gulls, Shovelers, Shelducks, and Redshank

So the Day List List in no Particular Order :-

Pochard, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Blue Tit, Grey Heron, Swallow, Swift, Sand martin, Black headed Gull, Marsh Harrier, Chaffinch, Wren, Dunnock, Oystercatcher, Blackbird, Robin, Reed Bunting, Lapwing, Pied billed Grebe, Jackdaw, Collard Dove, Lesser Black backed Gull, Great tit, Teal, Garganey, Black tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Wood Sandpiper, Ruff, Moorhen, Coot, Common Buzzard, Shoveler, Coal tit, Avocet, Redshank, Shelduck, Orange tip, Peacock, Green veined White

Tufted Duck

Robin

Green veined White

Avocets

Hoverfly Species

Plan of attack on arrival was to do the large circular walk along warbler way down to Bolton Ings hide along the Dearne Valley Walk  and up to the road, past gypsy marsh along the TPT back to Old Moor and on to the reserve, it was a nice morning plenty of sun, blue skies and warm.

Along Warbler way Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps were calling, it wasn’t long before I picked up my first Speckled Wood Butterfly of the day, these turned out to be numerous, hoverflies mainly Syrphus species, other butterflies caught my eye has I travelled along warbler way Green veined White ,Small White and Orange tips in smaller numbers.

I finally arrived at the Bolton Ings Hide and settled in to see a Common Whitethroat moving between the nearby bushes and sporadically giving a burst of song, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock Butterflies were seen around here and on Bolton Ings itself, Mute Swan, Lapwing a few Great Crested Grebes, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Gadwall, Coot, Moorhen, Greylag and Canada Geese, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon, Magpie and Cormorant.

After a while I made my way along the Dearne pathway again picking up more Orange tips and Peacock butterflies, there wasn’t many birds along this pathway mainly Common Whitethroats, Willow Warblers and the odd Chiffchaff and Black headed Gulls going over, it was whilst I was photographing a Peacock and Small White Butterfly that I heard a familiar call harsh ‘rattling song’ of a Lesser Whitethroat, it took a while in waiting but I did manage good views of it has it settled on one bush before disappearing into another. Got views of a Blackcap (Male) near the reserve and that’s where I had dinner before moving onto the reserve.

By now the weather had turned and things were starting to cloud over my first stop was at the Family Hide where I was hoping to pin down the Med Gull which I didn’t find this time in the mass of Black headed Gulls, I managed to pick up Shoveler , Sand Martins’ and Lesser Black backed Gulls whilst here to the day list then moved down to the wader scarp hide were the best action from here was a Canada Goose having a stand-off with the grazing cows, I also managed to add Tree Sparrow, Greenfinch and a Wigeon (Male) to the days tally

The Day List in no Particular Order :-

Birds Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Common Whitethroat, Blackcap, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Black headed Gull, Redshank, Coot, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon, Mute Swan, Lapwing, Mallard, Pochard, Pheasant,  Magpie, Long tailed Tit, Cormorant, Reed Bunting, Chaffinch, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackbird, Goldfinch, Collard Dove, Dunnock, Shoveler, Sand Martin, Lesser Black backed Gull, Wigeon, Greenfinch, Tree Sparrow, Butterflies Peacock, Green veined White, Orange tip, Speckled Wood, Small Tortoiseshell, Brimstone

 Blackcap

Speckled Wood

A Bridge too Far

Today’s outing was out to Old Moor again but this time it was with a difference we were going to try out the the new ground level photography hide. The hide is bookable over two sessions a 9:30 – 12:30 and a 12:30 = 3:30 session costing is £40 for a session but if you are a RSPB member you get a 25% discount.

Well we had booked in for the morning session and from that session we walked away seeing 18 species including Mallard, Stock Dove, Collard Dove, Woodpigeon, Robin, Blackbird, Reed Bunting, Dunnock, Yellowhammer, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Tree Sparrow

Yellowhammer 

After the hide session we decided on a walk around the reserve stopping firstly at the family hide here we saw Redshank, Gadwall, Teal, Wigeon, Black headed Gulls and the Mediterranean Gull. Down on Green Lane the friendly Robin showed itself and posed for a number of shots

Robin

The birds of the day at Old Moor :-

Robin, Blackbird, Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Collard Dove, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Bullfinch, Magpie, Tree Sparrow, Teal, Wigeon, Gadwall, Shelduck, Shoveler, Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Lapwing, Goosander, Little Grebe, Moorhen, Coot, Linnet, Jackdaw, Crow, Redshank, Mediterranean Gull, Pochard, Pheasant, Starling, Long tailed Tit, Song Thrush.

WE then decided on a detour on the way via Langsett Reservoir and the Lower Midhope Moors here we saw lots of Mistle Thrush, Meadow Pipits, Curlew, Lapwings we even saw Mallard and Chaffinch but the bird we were looking for was finally found but at a distance the long staying Great Grey Shrike, found sat atop of a bush staking out its territory  before landing on the nearby wall, we had a short time with the shrike as time was running short

Great Grey Shrike

Sorry about the long absence it was now time for a day out, the sun was shining, temperatures have started going up to the no gloves limit, the destination was Worsbrough Mill Country Park near Barnsley. A site which holds a old water mill but has Nature reserve status (see this LINK)

After having a look around the working Mill, which wasn’t working today, we headed off  for a walk around the reservoir where it was plain to see plenty of Black headed Gulls and good numbers of Great Crested Grebe on the water, in the reeds towards the bottom end of the reservoir we found a Grey Heron doing its I’m a reed pose, plenty of Mallard littered the reservoir sides, Blue Tit, Robin, and Bullfinch were heard calling from the Willow Carr, and a single Kingfisher took us by surprise has it zipped thru.

Near the fishing jetty were the Black headed Gulls had taken advantage off trying to keep stable from the wind we found a nice flock of Redwing in the field were by scanning thru we also found a single Mistle Thrush

House Sparrows were near one of the feeders at this end of the reservoir has were plenty of Mallard taking advantage of people throwing bread, around this area also Goldfinch were heard flying over.

The way home was by Lower Midhope Moors by Langsett Reservoir in the vain hope of catching up with the Great Grey Shrike which had been around this site for a couple of months now, but alas it wasn’t to be my day, maybe due to the high winds, but back on breeding grounds were Oystercatchers, Lapwing and Curlews which were good to see along with the Red Grouse.

Getting myself a little bit behind in writing up my posts on this blog this was a visit out to Old Moor again even if it was only for a couple of hours, so this post is going to be short anyways.

The birds were good when we managed to see some as the waters were quiet mostly from most hides. We did manage to see various duck species namely, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Shoveler, the Moorhen and Coot and we finally caught up with a male Goldeneye, beautiful bird it was. Most bird activity was around the feeders i.e. bird garden and Tree Sparrow farm here you could find Blue Tit, Great Tit, Willow Tit, Pheasant, Dunnock, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Reed Bunting, Yelllowhammer, Robin, Collard Dove, Woodpigeon, and a few Redwing but the male Brambling still remains elusive once again

The List [in no particular order] ;-

Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Robin, Blackbird, Redwing, Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer, Wren, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Willow Tit, Collard Dove, Woodpigeon, Teal, Mallard, Pochard, Goldeneye, Wigeon, Shoveler, Gadwall, Coot, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Black headed Gull, Common Gull, Cormorant, Lapwing, Starling, Crow, Canada Goose, Dunnock, Tree Sparrow

Redwing

Coot