Got an hour's walk in the dunes and on Ainsdale beach this afternoon - just as the sunny conditions gave way to the leading edge of the latest front (looks good for a seawatch tomorrow).
Very few dragonflies about - just one or two Common Darters, and the intriguing creature above, which shows the pale, black-lined pterostigma of Red Veined Darter, but I think looks too pale...where's dragonfly expert Phil Smith when you need him!
The darter stayed around just long enough for me to fire off a few shots from an awkward angle.
Lots of Harebells, Round Leaved Wintergreen and Grass of Parnassus blooming, the latter is particularly impressive this year.
Common Blue and Meadow Brown butterfly on the wing.
I can't remember when I saw so much water in the slacks at the beginning of August, but birdwise it was quiet - Swifts, Woodpigeon, Meadow Pipit and Linnet.
Sea Holly looking good though.
On the beach, there were still plenty of people, but a one or two groups of terns were roosting up near Taggs Island - mainly Sandwich, with a few Commons.
The Sarnies habitually flew out into the shallows for a spot of fishing, before returning to the sand.
One Gannet offshore.
Dunlin, Sanderling, Barwits, Ringed Plover and Oystercatcher feeding in the channels above the low water mark, and some of the Oycs are now starting to acquire the white necklace of winter...
Sands Lake was predictably quiet - one calling Willow Warbler and the usual range of mangy moulting Mallards and Tufties, plus a Little Grebe or two,
The Mute Swans there have a new cygnet, a small beast, to go alongside their rapidly growing offspring from earlier in the year.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Derek Williams wrote...
Latest from Haskayne area, July 21st -26th:
Immature Cormorant; fem/imm Marsh Harrier; 3 Sparrowhawk; 4 Buzzard; 6 Oystercatchers; Green Sandpiper; 120 Swifts; 200 Swallows; 469 Jackdaws; Sand Martin; fem/imm Blackcap; Chiffchaff; Willow Warbler; Raven.
Plus Wall butterfly and Stoat.
Posted by: Derek Williams | August 2, 2007 6:13 AM