Sunny weather for a change as we have had rain most days at some point, and I just knew under such conditions there would be very little about. so with a certain amount of optimism I set forth. There had been reports of a new species record for the reserve in the way of a Reed warbler, apparently good views were had for the couple of days it stayed.
Also before I go on , Great and exciting news has emerged, for the first time in over a hundred years a pair of Marsh Harriers have nested in Cumbria and have successfully fledged two young at Bassenthwaite Lake.
So with the sun shining expectations were reasonably high if not for birds then maybe butterflies, not so.
The Large white being the only butterfly to be seen anywhere on the reserve, and there are plenty of wild flowers, so can't explain why there was no sign of any.
 |
| Great Willowherb,(Epilobium hirsutum) |
 |
| Great willowherb. |
 |
| Also on show lots of Knapweed (Centaurea maculosa) |
 |
| At least the red-tailed bumblebee (Bombus lapidarious) was making the most of the Knapweed. |
 |
| Also close by I found this Brown-lipped snail,(Cepaea nemoralis) of which there are many colour variations. |
 |
| on the main pond there was a mix of of juvenile gulls, Herring gull and Lesser black-backed gull |
 |
| Herring gull. |
 |
| Lesser Black-backed gull |
 |
| There was a good show of Golden Rod (Solidago) |
 |
| And a type of Carder bee was found. |
 |
| There was quite a few juvenile Mallard waiting to be fed. |
|
 |
| And with them this juvenile cross breed, which stood quite upright when out of the water, almost like a Runner. |
 |
| And lastly some Knapweed going to seed. |
Congratulations on the breeding success of the Marsh Harriers. May they escape the guns of the landed gentry bent on killing them so that they can breed again next year. Maybe one day raptors will be able to regain their rightful place in the British landscape.
ReplyDeletenice collection of shots :)
ReplyDeleteGood news about the Harriers - it will be a good day when we have 100 pairs!
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Hello, pretty series of photos from the nature reserve. The butterfly and flowers are beautiful. Love all the gulls and ducks. The snail is cool. Great news about the Harriers. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear good news about the Marsh Harriers. That was a good walk, lots of nice birds and wildflowers. I wonder about the butterflies also. There have been letters in the paper here , people saying they are not seeing as many butterflies and birds as usual in their yard or favorite bird places ... when that happens to me I just think 'bad luck or 'bad timing' but if better birders are complaining ... ... well, we know what that means I'm afraid.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful assortment of photos!
ReplyDeleteLove the purple flowers, and the yellow goldenrod, too!
Hope you are having a great week!
Your captures are just awesome, what a great place for photos! The knapweed is very intersting.
ReplyDeleteHi Gordon,
ReplyDeleteThis is also a beautiful psot with butterflies and insects. Fortunately, the sun did not really bright, otherwise your photos would be less beautiful. Now you see the colors well and the purple flowers are very beautiful to see.
I wish you a very nice weekend.
Many regards, Helma