Summer Birds, Summer Butterflies, nearly summer...

This weekend was more than eventful, Saturday saw me going to a site in North Yorkshire for the rare Duke of Burgundy butterfly. The species has undergone massive losses in numbers and the species is rare, not only is it a stunning butterfly (both above and below) but it is also Britain's only 'metalmark'.

 (Duke of Burgundy Fritillary - © Andrew Kinghorn)

 (Duke of Burgundy Fritillary - © Andrew Kinghorn)

(Duke of Burgundy Fritillary - © Andrew Kinghorn)

After soaking up the species and enjoying both fantastic views and photo opportunities I switched my attention to the Pearl-bordered Fritillary which is at a site relatively close by. In terms of the UK this is a slightly more common butterfly but by no means is the species widespread; also very rare but some are starting to make a comeback and pick up in number. These also showed well but very flighty due to high temperatures which made for a fantastic and truly red hot day.

 (Pearl-bordered Fritillary - © Andrew Kinghorn)

(Pearl-bordered Fritillary - © Andrew Kinghorn)

After the excitement of the butterflies on Saturday Sunday brought another fantastic surprise this time in the form of a bird; White-winged Black Tern. The bird was a 2nd summer and I had not seen the species in this plumage in the past so it was an education, as always good bit banter on site and great time watching the bird. Next was Greatham Creek in the hope of seeing Black Tern for 'The Finch'. We were sadly unsuccessful so we checked Crookfoot Reservoir; which was nearly bird-less! Back home for some tea and a scrub up and then back out west to Hamsterley Forest in the hope of catching up with Nightjar. This species was a rather embarrassing one I had not seen in Durham, I had only seen the species previously on Salthouse Heath on the North Norfolk coast. The birds started up around 09.45 with a bit of light left, we were treat to some superb views in fairly good light and then some fantastic views of display flight and breeding behaviour in falling light. It's great to stand around, listen and watch the Nightjars. Roding Woodcock were common and we had at least 4 and at least 4 Nightjar seen and heard. Here are the best of a bad bunch...

 (White-winged Black Tern - © Andrew Kinghorn)

(White-winged Black Tern - © Andrew Kinghorn)

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Now some catching up to do!

On Thursday I had a mad dash to Teesside before University to see Durham's second ever Long-billed Dowitcher. However unlike the previous bird this was in partly summer plumage. The bird was stunning if not a little distant, the bird was also a county tick for many and so smiles all around. Another species I wasn't expecting to see any time soon.

Today I went over to Muggleswick to see if I could catch up with Green Hairstreak before the year was out; I was succesful with my search and located a few but not all that many as the season is now drawing to a close for the species. It was great to get a Cuckoo being mobbed by a Meadow Pipit, also another surprise graced the skies. But the species is sensitive in this area so I can't mention it.

(Green Hairstreak - © Andrew Kinghorn)

A fantastic few days!

Until next time, Foghorn out!