Friday 5 August 2011

Buddleia butterflies at last

Heysham Obs
The office buddleia has been very underpopulated during the day, the exception being bumble bees.  Today was a little different with a "full house" of the usual culprits mid-afternoon: Comma, Painted Lady (primary migrant - pale and worn?), Red Admiral (3), Peacock (4) and Small Tortoiseshell (2).  Hardly stunning numbers, but better than it looked in 'perfect' weather a few days ago.

Red Nab/outfalls
Tricky stuff with most gulls asleep and facing away, in varying stages of moult, plus a slight heat-haze
Med Gull - 4 x adult, 1 x 3CY, 1 x juv
Little Gull - 1 adult
Whimbrel - 3
Dunlin - 5
Little Egret - 1

Middleton central marsh area
Kingfisher - one