A cycle ride today again in hot conditions,though quite a stiff north easterly blowing offered some respite. My route was Stannington , Tranwell to Whalton, Shilvington to Ogle, Twizel and Saltwick Hill. This offered peaceful riding along quiet country lanes and a wealth of bird and insect life.
Again,many Yellowhammers singing from bush-tops,with 29 males counted. Skylarks too into double figures,as were Whitethroats. Bullfinch ,Long tailed Tit ,Blue and Great Tit. Linnet and Willow Warbler , all in family parties as birds seemed to be having a very good breeding season this year in the settled weather. 2 Marsh Tits seen at different sites and at Tranwell, Nuthatch and Gt spotted Woodpecker heard. At a site on the upper reaches of the River Blyth , splendid Banded Demoiselle males dragonflies chased each other. Dozens of Trout and several frogs could be see in the clear river. Butterflies included many Meadow Browns , Ringlets and Common Blues, as well as several Skippers and Walls.
At Shilvington , a colony of House Martins was very active ,with young both fledged and still in the nests being fed. Good numbers of Swifts and Swallows fed over fields . Oystercatchers, Curlews and Lapwings were feeding in newly harvested fields ,with hundreds of corvids and Black headed and Common Gulls.
A.S. Jack.