As always, the May walk can be quite quiet, but yesterday's outing was livened up by the first broods of Mandarin Duck; 3 broods of 4, 5 and 6. Along with 9 adult birds that brought the total to 24. 35 adult Mallards were also seen with ducklings (2, 3, 5 and 7). The Coots, 11 adults, had 4 broods of 2, 3, 4, and 6, and the Great -crested Grebes on the middle reservoir had 3 young! Adult Moorhens were seen, but no young yet. 2 Grey Wagtails were the last water birds reported this month.
The usual woodland birds were reported in the woods, along with 3 Swallows, and singing Blackcaps, Chiffchaff and Willow Warblers.
Before the WeBS walk and the nest box checking I had a walk down to the ringing site to fill the feeders. Whilst there, I also had a walk around in search of insects. The first ones I saw were a Peacock and a Small Tortoiseshell. Just as I walking back I noticed a small, brown butterfly flying low over the ground. I watched as it landed and crept up to get a better view and a photo. As I got closer I noticed that it was a DINGY SKIPPER!!!
Dingy Skipper
Not only is this a new species for me and Linacre (unless anyone else has seen one before?), but it is also a pretty uncommon species within Derbyshire. As such it is included in Derbyshire's Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) . I've sent the record to the butterfly recorder for Derbyshire, so I'll update on any further developments.
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