A Few Surprises

Young Harriers venturing far and wide. This one was at Druridge Pools.

White Deadnettle

Rock Pipit

Early returning Turnstone in magnificent plumage.

Common . ish bird ... can you guess?

4+ Greenshank, 2 Ruff on Budge Fields

A trip to Gibside NT was interesting with Red Kite, Buzzard and Jay seen. Visit to Thornley Woods VC to get a key for hides. May be a few more trips South of the River on the cards.

LargeWhite and Green-veined White (?)

Shaded Broad-bar

Meadow Brown

Juvenile Little Gull. (Could this be a Scottish youngster, from Loch of Strathbeg?) Little Tern in background.

This was most unexpected. Right in front of the hide!

... more June 'Birds'

... no birds.

It's that time of year when a good bird can turn up anywhere, but in the meantime catching up on the bugs and flowers takes up most of the time.

Apologies if the IDs are incorrect, you can always tweet me and let me know.

Common Blue Damselfly

Enallagma cyahigerum

One of my favourite flowers, small and easily overlooked.

Grass Vetchling

Lathyrus nissolia

Woody Nightshade

Solanum dulcamara

Ringlet

Aphantopus hyperantus

Speckled Wood

Meadow Brown

Maniola jurtina

Common Blue

Common Tern

7-Spot Ladybird

Buff Ermine

Lesser Butterfly Orchid

Dyer's Greenweed

Genista tinctoria

Bittern, Grasshopper Warblers, numerous Gulls and Terns have been the birds of note. Marsh Harriers have 5 Young , Bearded Tits are active and Lots of Family Parties (of commoner stuff) indicate a good breeding season. Signs of change today with migrating Swifts, Whinchat and Juv. Cuckoo in dunes ... soon be Winter. :-)

South then North

Penshaw Monument, County Durham.

A family visit including a walk around Herrington Country Park made a nice change. The weather was overcast which was a shame because I bet the pools are good for dragonflies.

Aftrnoon and I was back on the Northumbeland coast photographimg Butterflies and Moths.

Small Totoiseshell (above) Painted Lady (below)

Meadow Brown (above)

Shaded Broad Bar (I think)

(even less certain with this one) Agriphila tristella