The longest day is not generally the most exciting on the birders calendar. Dave joined me as usual, and we got off to a reasonable start when we could hear a Grasshopper Warbler singing from the field behind the beehives.
Although it was mostly cloudy, there was just enough sunshine and warmth to coax various butterflies into the air. I would estimate we saw 20 Ringlets, 10 Marbled Whites, 80 Meadow Browns, and 15 Small Tortoiseshells on the wing.
Ringlet
Underwing shot of Marbled White
Unusually coloured Meadow Brown
One species of bird I do associate with June is Raven, specifically because the young have fledged and family parties play above the fields. This group were a little distant but were worth recording.
The recent rain has flooded the nearest flash, and the only waders visible were 10 Lapwings. But at least the Teal were still present, four drakes and a duck on the nearest flash, and a duck on the furthest. The highlight was two Sand Martins dashing across the flash, the first of the year thanks to lockdown.
Returning to insects, the return journey added a couple of Red Admirals, about 20 Large Skippers, and our first two Small Skippers of the year.
Small Skipper
Dragonflies were a little frustrating. I struggled to get a decent shot of a Common Emerald damselfly as it rested on a swaying tree branch, but it was nevertheless the first of the year. Rather more satisfactory were the opportunities presented by the first Ruddy Darter and first Common Blue damselfly of the year. The latter are vastly outnumbered by Azure Damselflies here.
Ruddy Darter
Common Blue Damselfly
It'll probably be insects, insects, insects for the next month or so. You have been warned.
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