Friday 20 May 2016

PDQ

On Thursday we crossed the Humber to visit one of Lincolnshire's finest reserves. Unfortunately, it was was quite misty, which got worse as we crossed the river. The Garden Warbler was still singing just beyond the car park. The Common Terns were still on the raft, and Reed Warblers were again singing in the reeds. 
Garden Warbler (from a fortnight ago)

Alder Fly
 Blue-tailed Damselfly
The Mute Swan eggs had still not hatched. In the nearby hide we were able to look down on Reed Warblers, and a Reed Bunting sang nearby.
 Brimstone
 Red-breasted Carrion beetle, Oiceoptoma thoracic.
Thanks to Barry Warrington for ID
 Ditto
 Ditto
 Common Terns
 Ditto
 Ditto
 Ditto
On the walk between hides a Sedge Warbler sang, and the Tawny Owl had been replaced by a Lesser Whitethroat. From the second hide there were no waders to be seen, just plenty of Black-headed gulls, Gadwall with the odd Shoveler, Shelduck and Pochard. Two Lesser Black-backed Gulls were also in residence - presumably to pick off Black-headed Gull eggs and chicks.
 Recently emerged Damselfly & discarded Nymph 
 Frog
 Froghopper
 Meadow Saxifrage
 Ditto
 Meadow Saxifrage
On the way back we stopped off at the Mistletoe, and this time for the first time no one remembered the name of Petty Whin. However, the afternoon group was more impressive, as 2 attendees (Peter & Brian) remembered the name from last year. Linnets and a Whitethroats were in this area. There was less to see in the conifers although Goldcrests were singing, and a Coal Tit was waiting for us in the car park. Before everyone returned home they had a gander over the fence at the Egyptian Goose sharing a field with several horses.  
Royal Fern
 Ditto
 Egyptian Goose
At lunchtime a Cuckoo called for 2 minutes, but then its 'song' became more sporadic. Unfortunately, it became completely silent again before the pm session started, and was never heard again. The afternoon was a lot warmer than the morning, which meant there was a large increase in the amount of insect life we encountered.

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