[Steve Graham]

in reply to: Copridding Wood, Arnside #3663

Hi Pete

An excellent haul.

Despite the ideal weather conditions I am finding butterfly numbers disappointing in the wider countryside away from managed hotspots. With this continuing heat Scotch Argus will be out any day no doubt.

Cheers
Steve

[Steve Graham]

in reply to: Leighton Moss #3642

Similar flying Ants above the metal bridge at Halton around 4pm on 16/7. Estimate of 500 Gulls involved with Black Headed at the lower levels and smaller numbers of LBB and Herring at the higher levels sharing the airspace with Swifts and House Martins. Quite a spectacle even for none Laridophiles like myself!

Cheers
Steve

[Steve Graham]

in reply to: G W Egrets #3631

Single bird heading down river at Halton mid afternoon.

Cheers
Steve

[Steve Graham]

in reply to: Lune– Green Ayre and Aqueduct area #3630

Spent nearly an hour this afternoon at the Aqueduct ponds. Up to 6 Brown Hawkers very active including two egg laying. Single male BB Chaser turned up eventually. Plenty of Damsels in tandem and egg laying. Azure, Blue-tailed and a couple of Emeralds which were nice to see. Unfortunately, the far pond, from Caton Rd, has dried up and usually quite good in spring. All activity in the larger central pool. A nice newish habitat creation and has been colonised by Common Blue & Brimstone.

Then cycled up the slope to check the canal inlet to the N of the Aqueduct. A usual haunt of Emperor Dragonfly and a male obliged today.

Cheers
Steve

[Steve Graham]

in reply to: Small Emerald #3629

Hi Jeff Its a Light Emerald Moth a much commoner beast than Small Emerald. If you are around Stoops Bridge this time of year well worth checking the Thistles for nectaring WLH.

Cheers
Steve

[Steve Graham]

in reply to: Keeled Skimmer (?) at Birk Bank #3613

Hi Andrew

I can confirm that as a male Keeled Skimmer. Both BT and Keeled have yellow pterostigma but Keeled has a yellow costa whereas BT have a dark one.

You can just make out the yellow costa on the right hand wing. Secondly, the eyes are blue grey rather than green as in BT. Also the extent of the black at the tip of the abdomen is greatly reduced unlike BT.

I first discovered the species there back in 2015, third Lancs record. It has been seen annually there and is breeding. It has a patchy distribution in western Britain. Resident in a small area of Cumbria but thought to be the only Lancashire breeding site until recently.

For more information try the Lancs Dragonfly FB Group, Pete Woodruff’s excellent blog or consult the local Dragonfly guru Pete Marsh.

Cheers
Steve

[Steve Graham]

in reply to: Machine shed #3540

Talking Barn Swallows a pair have successfully bred in the stone bus shelter at the W end of Halton on Low Road.SD501648

Incredibly, they could have been no more than a metre away from waiting passengers!

Cheers
Steve

[Steve Graham]

in reply to: Birk Bank – Birds & Insects… #3512

Hi Andy

Keeled Skimmer ovipositing on 17/6. Record from Lancs Dragonfly FB Group.

Cheers
Steve

[Steve Graham]

in reply to: Birk Bank – Birds & Insects… #3504

Hi Andy

Not yet. Should all be on the wing in July/August. BT Skimmer is a possible as well. Seen there in untypical habitat a few years ago.

Should have a chance of Black Darter in August as well.

Cheers
Steve

[Steve Graham]

in reply to: Tree Sparrow #3503

Hi Kevin

Yes, I get the impression they maybe increasing in the vicinity. Had calling birds to the N and E of Halton this year and also around Brookhouse.

Cheers
Steve

[Steve Graham]

in reply to: Birk Bank – Birds & Insects… #3501

Forgot to mention it is a very good dragonfly site as well although the bog could dry out unless we get some decent rain soon.

Golden-ringed, Keeled Skimmer and Common Hawker amongst others.

Cheers
Steve

[Steve Graham]

in reply to: Birk Bank – Birds & Insects… #3500

Hi Andy

Glad you got to see them. I think a combination of spring 2020 and this year weather wise and plenty of Marsh Thistles have really helped the SPBF here. As previously mentioned glad to see them away from the usual limestone hotspots for a change!

Cheers
Steve

[Steve Graham]

in reply to: Halton GWE #3495

GWE seen again heading upriver at 15:02 from initial viewing location.

Cheers
Steve

[Steve Graham]

in reply to: Halton GWE #3493

Same or a different bird heading downstream high over Forge weir, SD 515 646 at 08:00.

Also around at least 5 Common Sand, Mallard with 11 well grown young and at least 12 juv Grey Wagtails. Of note Redpoll calling, something don’t normally hear here in the summer months.

Cheers
Steve

[Steve Graham]

in reply to: FAUNA dragonflies #3437

Single male BB Chaser seen in overcast muggy weather today at the relatively new ponds created by the Lune Aqueduct. Well worth a visit for Odonata on a sunny day away from the usual hot spots!

Cheers
Steve

[Steve Graham]

in reply to: FAUNA dragonflies #3431

Good numbers of dragons & damselflies all over LM on 7/6.

Species confirmed: 4-spot Chasers, BB Chasers, Azure, Common & Blue-tailed Damsels.

Cheers
Steve

[Steve Graham]

in reply to: Leighton Moss #3430

Of interest Red Kite heading west down Lune Valley at 13:05 seen from Brookhouse on 8/6. Same bird?

Cheers
Steve

[Steve Graham]

in reply to: Tawny owl and surprising others #3387

Hi Eddie

Interesting, I had a singing Redstart in the same spot back in April. Apparently, Pied Fly has occured there in the past as well. In mid May I had a Green Woodpecker call once from that plantation also.

Cheers
Steve

[Steve Graham]

in reply to: Bull Beck & Roeburndale #3218

Forgot to mention nothing at on all the fence lines despite a flurry of migrant activity at the moment. Hopefully, the Stonechats are busy breeding out of sight.

Cheers
Steve

[Steve Graham]

in reply to: Mallard broods… #3020

An impressive brood of 16 just upriver of Forge Weir, Halton this morning.

Cheers
Steve

[Steve Graham]

in reply to: Mallard broods… #3016

A further two broods noted at Halton weir this morning. One brood of 6 and a further group of 3 appeared to be motherless.

Cheers
Steve

[Steve Graham]

in reply to: Leighton Moss #2940

My first trip to LM since December. An excellent day with 70+ species despite no hides and not all reserve covered.

Highlights included my first Sedge & Reed Warbler of the year at Barrow Scout. Bitterns booming all day. Lots of Willow Warblers about and at least 7 Cetti’s singing. A Green Woodpecker was very vocal on the golf course mid afternoon. Few Swallows or Sand Martins about though.

Myers Allotment produced male Brimstone, 3 Peacock and Small Tort in cool but sunny conditions, 11C.

Cheers
Steve

[Steve Graham]

in reply to: Aldcliffe late afternoon / early evening #2902

Really strange about the BHG there were goods numbers only yesterday on Freemans?!

I wonder if some predator had managed to get onto the island and spooked them all.

Cheers
Steve

[Steve Graham]

in reply to: Arnside Swallow #2846

Likewise 4+ seen mid-afternoon by the metal bridge at Halton. Also reported at the Crook 2 days ago.

Cheers
Steve

[Steve Graham]

in reply to: Halton to Bull Beck cycle ride #2815

I can’t exactly say as they dropped into that area and were then out of sight. Cheers Steve

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