June So Far

Bird-wise, June hasn't been as quiet as it often can be.  Three year-ticks in the first half of the sixth month certainly isn't to be sniffed at, these being...

Hobby - excellent views of a pair hunting dragonflies (mostly Scarce Chasers!) on 5th. The cold northerly wind was keeping both the dragonflies and falcons low allowing for really superb views!  

Too quick for my camera despite the great views

Common Tern - saw the back end of a pair fly in off the sea and disappear up river on the morning of 6th, they then spent the remainder of the day on Black Hole Marsh.  Shocking that it has taken until now to see this species on patch this year, but it reflects the sad state of terns locally (probably in part to the national picture too) and also the lack of decent sea watching conditions this spring.

Gadwall - June/July in recent years have proved the time to see this species on the Axe, when moulting birds join the equally tatty Mallards. The three on night of 10th actually stayed separate from the Mallards just north of Tower Hide, with the drake still showing some aspects of its former plumage.

Drake and two females

Other than these year ticks, 16 Sanderling on/past Seaton Beach on 2nd, with another the following day, and a handful of Ringed Plover on the Estuary during the same few days show there has been a bit more wader passage.  It has not been anywhere near the volume I am used to seeing here in late spring which is really disappointing, but I think this reflects more the fine weather we've experienced and less to do with populations/overall numbers.  

Tawny Owls have been good value locally.  Plenty of young calling particularly at dusk, with a showy ball of fluff currently on Seaton Wetlands...

A ball of fluff with a face!

Mum is never far away either...

Sublime!

The sad tales all over social media about dire moth numbers this year have not at all encouraged me to put the moth trap out.  I am a fair-weather moth'er as it is, so I certainly don't want to run an MV if all it does is depress me about the state of our environment.  However the calmer and warmer forecast for the night of Friday just gone (9th) was enough to tempt me to get the Robinson out, and am pleased I did as many of my favourite early summer species were waiting for me on Saturday morning...

Eyed, Elephant, Privet and Small Elephant Hawkmoths

One of my favourites - a Mocha

A close up of the Small Elephant Hawk

Green Oak Tortrix - caught nine of these on a night that saw a huge UK influx of this species

Have only really had one proper look locally for Odonata during this fine weather, on 5th, the same time I was watching the Hobbies mentioned above.  To suddenly see good numbers local of Red-eyed Damselflies is quite odd, having not seen one here for so long!  Otherwise plenty of Scarce Chaser as expected, plus my first Common Darter of the year with at least twenty tenerals seen flying up from and perched on the reeds.  Black-tailed Skimmer, Four-spotted Chaser, Golden-ringed Dragonfly and Emperor were also on the wing.

Male Scarce Chaser head on

Female Scarce Chaser

Hopefully I will get a bit more time to look at insects before the weather changes. Never know what is around the corner when it comes to UK weather so need to make the most of it whilst it is here!