Grey Wagtail

Not a common visitor to the Moat House. It was hopping around in what little water remains in the moat in this very very dry year.

Sparrowhawks

I like sparrowhawks as much as the next man but I resented the presence of a family of sparrowhawks which hung around for a couple of weeks. The main problem was that they were predating moorhens which had just built their numbers up after last winter's 'fox on the ice' incident. All the normal songbirds just made themselves scarce once the fledgling sparrowhawks and their industrious parent set themselves up in the trees around the moat but the moorhens had to stay. The sparrowhawks were also predating other birds but I know they took at least five moorhens. The adult sparrowhawk would return from a hunting trip, prey in its talons and would call out the young who would fly out from the trees. In an aerial ballet the adult would then hover and release the prey for the youngster to catch it in mid air. Pretty impressive stuff except for the thought that the prey might be a moorhen. I probably should have been taking award winning photographs of their activity but instead I just climbed trees and made noise to try and frighten them away. It didn't work but having been away for a few days I finds that peace has broken out and the sparrowhawks seem to have moved on.

Butterflies

Definitely not as numerous as last year but I am encouraged by the recent positive ID of an Essex Skipper. Whereas I saw 16 species in one day at the end of July last year I have probably seen 10 or so species in the few days over the end of July and beginning of August. They include Large White, Common Blue (pictured), Small Copper, Comma, Peacock, Essex Skipper, Brown Argus, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper and Red Admiral.

New Species - Essex Skipper

It is always a red-letter day for me to confirm a new butterfly species. The identification of the Essex Skipper makes it 21 species now for the site and makes up somewhat for the at best average season overall for butterflies this year.

I have suspected we have had the Essex Skipper but until now I have not got the photograph to prove it, showing the underside of the antennae. The Essex Skipper is very similar to the Small Skipper but has black undersides to the tip of the antennae.

QED

Fledgling crow

I took this picture yesterday of what I think must be a fledgling crow. I was attracted first by a noise and saw one of our resident crows seeing a sparrowhawk off the premises. I then noticed this bird which I assume is a fledgling crow although I have never seen a crow with white feathers before. I don't know whether this is just white that will grow out with time or a colour abnormality.

New Species - Sloe Shield Bug

I have seen Shield Bugs before but I don't think I have seen this particular one. It took me a while to identify because it is not the adult but is a nymph and looks significantly different to the adult. I found it resting on the field shelter I was painting and I had to move it as it showed no signs of going under its own steam.

Update on ducklings and moorhen chicks

The three main sets of ducklings that are on the moat this year exhibit quite different parenting styles. The first brood to be born - a set of twelve were given lots of freedom from the off and they spread themselves around the moat foraging far from their mother at an early age. The second brood of ten born a week or so later have been very much under close control. They can be seen swimming in formation behind their mum and keeping close to her at most times. The picture above is of this brood resting on the exposed mud at the side of the moat (it has been very dry this year so far). A third brood of four ducklings is under an even closer regime. They are younger it is true but they are to be found sleeping under the outstretched wings of the mother rather than in a pile beside her. She also takes issue with the older ducklings who might stray too close to her four.

Meanwhile the moorhen chicks are doing OK. There seem to be around five or so spread around the moat. They need a good survival rate this summer to build up the numbers as a good group of moorhens provides entertainment all year round.