A sunny day

The cloud cover cleared in the night so not so many Swifts this morning and in a poor half hour watching the pond enjoying the sunshine the only bird of note was a Buzzard. The lower car park was more productive with 2 Sedge and 3 Garden Warbler along with a Lesser Whitethroat.

Napton on the Hill was beautifully tranquil but just about void of birds though there were plenty of Large White butterflies on the wing with at least 16 counted along with 3 Green-veined White, Orange-tip and Holly Blue. Earlier we had 2 Green-veined White at the pond.

Brandon Marsh were holding an open day with the car parks already full by the time we arrived so very well attended. Colin had run a trap overnight so the kids had something to look at and caught 20 species with the best being Pine Beauty and a possible Ochreous Pug.

My own trap has been pretty dire since getting out of hospital so pleased to see 16 moths of 11 species with Least Black Arches, Red Twin-spot Carpet, Powdered Quaker and Waved Umber added to my year list.

Orange-Tip by Francoise Farrington