Rain rain

There's no way I'm going out in this

I'll just have to sit here, wait for Ma & Pa to bring food and enjoy the view. That's not so hard to swallow.

Lots of Little

Amazing to think not so long ago Little Egret would have been a twitch in Northumberland. Yesterday when I was out two at Cresswell, two on The River Wansbeck and this one close to the hide at Hauxley was probably not even half the number in the county. Unlike the normal habit of stirring up the water, which I think may have been too deep, this one just stood stock still for as long as it took for a hapless stickleback to pass by.

Water levels good at Hauxley after they have started works to the outfall but some problems with overflying aircraft although the bird always returned to the same spot.

Variable light conditions and a white bird always make things a bit awkward for photography

as does a gusty wind for the dignity of the bird. Is that a comb over malfunction?

Immaculate conception?

The Little Grebe at Banks Pond has produced three young. Nothing so unusual in that, they manage every other year on average but this year has been memorable for the absence of a pair. Since its arrival in late April I've only ever seen one adult there and rarely at that so it looks like absent father crept in and crept out again. 

Typical view of Brown China Mark very common at the pond in July but one of those frustrating moths that swivels to the other side of the perch it lands on and hangs upside down.

Having seen lots of Burnet moths when I've managed to get to the coast in the last few weeks they are now arriving on parch both Narrow bordered five spot and six spot generally preferring thistle flowers for the marital bed.

Snatched opportunities

Not many chances to get out at the moment so two meetings up the county allowed me a brief visit to Hauxley where my presence shocked a Heron

and made one of three Common Sandpiper dash past the hide.

As high water approached at Amble braid this seal was taking the opportunity of feeding where channel of water poured over the weir. 

Out of the nest and into...

a box of scrap metal. A temporary failure to fly

I could do a tap dance though

Photos of Ghosts

This time Mr & Mrs Ghost Moth. I left them in the same container and after they had flown last night there remained a number of really small black marbles, presumably eggs. As my garden is mainly nettles, one of their favourite larval plants I'll put these out in the hope of more ghosts next year. 

Ciao to any PFM fans that got here by accident and the band still going after all these years.

A rush of blood

When you look into the grass and there's a white face staring out at you. Your mind races.... White-faced Darter, should I put it on Twitter? Then logic must kick in, hang on, it's too big, not red and black (although juvenile is yellow and black) notwithstanding the fact it's way off where it should be (Cumberland and North of Scotland). Yep it's my old friend Four-Spotted Chaser. It may have a white face but how red would my face have been?

Pied in name

but not yet fully in colour this one of two young Wagtails recently fledged behind my house.

Nice to see they survived the attentions of the local moggy. Generally Pied Wagtails seem to have done quite well this year with the pair at Mayfair House on the Carr having six juveniles when I was past last month.

Here's Dad with some tasty morsels

Life cycle

Emperor Dragonflies at Banks Pond today but not showing so well. This one unfortunately didn't make it....

and these two took to the grass for privacy in producing more. The only other was sunbathing but flushed before I could get a pic. Good numbers of 4 Spot Chasers and Emerald Damsels beginning to show. Ringlet Butterflies were in abundance followed by Meadow Brown and Common Blue with a sprinkling of Small Heath, Small Skipper. The long staying Lesser Whitethroat sang briefly but no Quail today.

Meet the Drinkers

Mr getting all flighty and flashing has eyebrows at Mrs with the big, if a little tatty, booty. More moths you may say but other than a vocal Quail at Banks Pond yesterday bird life is very quiet.