Linacre WeBS and Ringing- 11th and 12th September 2021

 On the weekend of 11th and 12th I was down at Linacre to carry out the month's WeBS walk and have a ringing session with Sorby Breck Ringing Group.

The WeBS count recorded the following results: Mallard (88), Mandarin Duck (91), Tufted Duck (17), Moorhen (18; 12 adults and 6 juveniles), Coot (7), Grey Wagtail (5), Grey Heron (2), Great-crested Grebe (5; 2 adults and 3 juveniles - two broods), Cormorant (1) and Black-headed Gull (1). Chiffchaff was also heard (wheeting), and c.20 House Martins were over the top reservoir.

The ringing session, on the 12th, resulted in 26 birds of 8 species, and included our first Jay and Treecreeper of the year (both juveniles), along with 4 juvenile Chiffchaffs, 11 Blue Tits (10 new and 1 retrap - the retrap having been ringed in box 23a on 3/6/21 by me), 5 Great Tits (3 new and 2 retraps- both trapped earlier in the year at Linacre), 1 juvenile Goldcrest, 2 juvenile Robins, and 1 juvenile Blackbird.

White-tailed Lapwing

Last month (31st) I went across to RSPB Blacktoft Sands to see my fourth "lifer" of the year, a White-tailed Lapwing. It gave great views from Xerox Hide, and I managed some nice photos. A lovely bird!

White-tailed Plover

Whilst there, I also managed to add a couple more "year ticks", Water Rail and Great (White) Egret.

The last new addition, Whinchat, was seen on Big Moor, Derbyshire, on 1st September.

Year List update:
167 - White-tailed Lapwing
168 - Water Rail
169 - Great White Egret
170 - Whinchat

Linacre Butterflies and Dragonflies - 5th September 2021

 After a very cloudy, overcast August, with very few periods of sunshine, and lower than average temperatures, it was lovely to be down at Linacre this afternoon enjoying some bright sunshine and 23 degrees of heat!!

As always, the sun brought out the butterflies and I managed to record 2 Red Admirals, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Peacock, 6 Speckled Woods, 1 Meadow Brown, 1 Wall Brown (male), 1 Comma, 1 Purple Hairstreak and a very tatty looking Common Blue Butterfly.

As well as the butterflies, I also managed to find 1 Common Darter, 1 Migrant Hawker and 4 Brown Hawkers, including a very obliging individual.

Brown Hawker

Birdwise, it was quite quiet, but I did record 13 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (12 adults and 1 juvenile), 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 House Martins, Swallows (heard, but not seen) and 1 singing Chiffchaff.