Great big blue sky and warm sun augured well for a walk at Haskayne Cutting this afternoon, but to be honest, it was a bit of a let down.
Whitethroat feeding young, several Yellowhammers singing and Chiffchaff still belting out their name, but no dragonflies.
The standing water does look a bit manky at the moment though.
Is it me or are Chiffchaffs holding more territories round there this year?
Can't remember when so many were singing into June - even a bird at Dempsey Towers still, which had two Siskin and a Stock Dove this afternoon.
The Yellowhammers were decidedly unco-operative, jiggering off long before I could get to digiscoping range.
At least the Common Buzzards were enjoying the sun, with birds up over just about every copse or covert from the Withins to Plex.
Strange to see so many birders out on the mosses in summer - but entirely understandable as they searched for the Monty's Harrier, which I believe was playing sneaky again today.
Anyone who has not yet caught up with this magnificent raptor, may want to look away now, as Phil Boardman has sent me these two cracking shots of the bird, which he got at the weekend.
Absolutely stunning Phil - thanks for sharing.
And ta for the shot of the recent Lydiate Station Woodchat below, gorgeous.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Hi John, I was at Great Altcar moss this afternoon/evening; no sign of the Monty's but 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Buzzards, Barn Owl, 2 Sedge Warblers, 6 Grey Partridge, 4 Whitethroats, Yellowhammer, Brown Hare, & a male Lesser Whitethroat in song at the south end of the New Causeway.
A good few hours birding even without the Monty's.
Hi John, I too was at Great Altcar this morning (20.06) from 0800 to 1200 and reckon I had very distant views of the Monty's perched on a telegraph post next to the Alt seen looking SE from Acres Lane/Engine Lane junction.
Problem was it was about 800m away in hazy conditions with the sun shining from behind it - not easy.
It flew off the post a couple of times and the silhouette was Harrier like. Is this the sort of area it has been seen?
Also present of interest - Red legged Partridge, Buzzards, Corn Buntings singing from the overhead wires and a female Wheatear in the potato field and the Brown Hare.