Saturday 27th July - Summer Drift

A real slowdown, partly caused by the searing heat, with another record temperature July day on Thursday has restricted efforts on all fronts. The birding is still quiet and although hardly a noticeable increase in activity you can tell that small movements of an autumn nature are starting, with occasional groups of Swallows heading over (up to 15 at a time) with up to 20 Swifts but just 4 House Martins and there are now some large Tit flocks amassing and moving through the hedgerow and so far I've only seen Blackcap and Chiffchaff with them no doubt the resident birds, but always hold out hope something more interesting may turn up. Apart from noisy young Woodpeckers , it has been quiet, so switching viewing to insects with butterflies now abundant, I'm up 19 butterfly species at home this year with recent additions being Peacock and Silver-washed Fritillary. I've set aside a patch at the front of the house to be a wildflower meadow and have re-addressed the back fields and marked out strips to do the same, although this may take a couple of seasons to get up and running. Despite the pond blooming with algae and blanket weed brought on by the hot weather it is alive with insects with 3 Species of damselfly, Emperor Dragonflies, Broad-bodied chasers, Common Darters, Black-tailed Skimmer and other than a smart Hummingbird Hawkmoth lots more bugs that I have no idea what they are.

Peregrine drifting over the house

and a local Red Kite

young Green Woodpecker on the back fence

It is a very loud individual

Ringlet

Gatekeeper

Marbled White

Silver -washed Fritillary

Peacock (wouldn't open its wings !)

Black-tailed Skimmer (F)

Black-tailed Skimmer (f)

Blue-tailed Damselfly

Azure Damselfly

Common Darter