A lovely warm,sunny morning and a bike ride to Holywell Pond along the old Waggonways. The many Whitethroats are quieter now ,as most are feeding young ,most singing taking place early in the day. A male scolding me as I got a little too close to a nest containing 4 young. 5 or 6 Yellowhammers were singing along the bush lined track. Linnets are encouragingly common here and a nice young male Wheatear fed in a field. 5 singing Skylarks heard but only 1 pair of Lapwings was disappointing. A pair of Bullfinches called quietly from cover and a family group of Long tailed Tits was seen. 4 Song Thrushes and 3 Blackcaps heard singing, as was a Treecreeper. 2 young Dippers and a Grey Wagtail were on the river .
At the Pond , 3 pairs of Common Terns were settling down on the island,harrassed though, by a persistant Magpie after any unguarded eggs. 3 Sedge Warblers and 3 Reed Buntings singing. Gadwall, Shoveler and Teal noted on the pond, as were 4 Grey Herons. Swifts and Swallows feeding and several House Martins were gathering mud at the pond edge.
Butterflies included around 20 Speckled Woods, and 2 Orange Tips and 1 Peacock.
Alan S.Jack