The Bumpy Road

A mid afternoon stroll along the bumpy road at Prestwick Carr was very peaceful. We spotted four or five dragonfly hawking along the berry laden hawthorn bushes.
For several minutes we were entertained by a flock of Long-tailed Tits who seem to be still for only only a fraction of a second before being on the the move again.

Bullfinch, Great Tit and Coal Tit were present also. Without bins I was unable to decide which geese were at the top of the horsey fields, although I think there was Canada amongst them, along with a good flock of Lapwing
The water levels are not far below the road level and it seems that the least shower of rain will top it up again but a very enjoyable visit.

Holy Island

Judging by some recent blog posts I am the only one to visit Holy Island recently and not see any owls despite being in the right place, but, it appears at the wrong time.
However we did see some nice sights.
Just like  this pair of Snow Buntings who were very partial to having people around them

On the beach in the harbour area were Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Redshank and Bar tailed Godwit

with Eider and a few Guillemot  just offshore

In the garden behind the castle was a lone Goldcrest and on the wall just outside a Stonechat

There were huge numbers of birds  adjacent to the causeway, with the large number of  Brent Geese being very vocal.

Large flocks of Golden Plover and Godwits provided exciting flying displays

Although past its best flowering season the castle garden is still a place of peace. It is planted out as planned by its designer, Gertrude Jekyll.

Nice one, Gertrude!

Linnet and Goldfinch were regularly seen

Town Moor

After all of the recent rainfall the Town Moor is swamp like in large areas
Together with the mud making cow herd still on the moor there are a couple of well muddied ponds which I hoped may hold some birds. Late this afternoon I set off to check them out.
The first distant target I could see had birds flying over it but then they were flying off. By the time I was in binocular range I was just in time to see a Sparrowhawk flying away - so no more birds there for a while.
My second target was being approached by a couple with six dogs - another blank.
Being almost there I set off for Exhibition Park pond setting a Snipe to flight from one of the numerous wet areas.  The pond held six Goosanders.

On the return over the Moor I could hear the calls of Golden Plover overhead where a flock of many hundred wheeled about prior to settling into their night time roost. I understand that this Town Moor roost has been going on for many years.

Pied Wagtail and Black headed Gulls were populating the many wet and muddy patches

across the Moor

Northumberlandia

An open day at Northumberlandia presented to chance to have a look around.
There were loads of visitors in the same mind. The extensive pond areas will no doubt provide some wildlife interest in the future.

Spotted only Pipits, Grey Heron and Magpie but, once the number of visitors settles it will be interesting to see what turns up. The scrub area adjacent will no doubt provide good cover for the local bird population.

 We did have a Common Darter come to rest on the path in front of us so it hasn't taken them long to find the place.

I understand that it will not be open to the public fully for another few weeks but we will then have another location to have a wander and watch - can't be bad.

Blagdon Estate

A Plant Heritage plant sale at Blagdon Estate last Sunday  provided the first opportunity for me to have a look around the estate. Google maps had shown that there were some stretches of water so I hoped to spot a dragonfly or two.

First port of call was the lake south east of the hall.

Walking around the east side we came upon a sun soaked glade at the edge of the lake. Dozens of Common Darter and  3-4  Migrant Hawkers soaking up the sun

After an extended wander we walked down to the old walled kitchen garden

 We were confronted with a sight I had never dreamed possible in the North East. Wherever you looked there were 10-12 dragonflies on the wing. I'm guessing that the numbers were so high as a result of the preceding 7-8 days of fine weather. It was unbelievable to me having scratched around this area looking for dragonfly often with meagre and at times zero results.

More Migrant Hawkers on the south facing garden wall

Just in case anyone is interested the next Blagdon open day is 21 October. Probably a bit late for dragons but you never know since it is a really sheltered area.

North Yorks Moors - Tranmire Bogs

Another sunny day provided the chance to visit Wheeldale Moor and in particular Tranmire Bogs.
Its is located adjacent to one of the the three fords which cross the road and as soon as I stepped out of the car there were dragonfly on the wing.

Once again many Black Darters and Hawkers patrolled back and forth.

However the highlight was the opportunity to grab some pics of Golden-ringed Dragonfly.

There were many Migrant Hawkers in this same area

North York Moors - Goathland

A few days in Whitby presented the opportunity to check out moorland dragonfly.
First location was The Tarn,  Goathland. I was fortunate enough to have a brilliant sunny day with little wind and after only fifteen minutes walk, arrived at the tarn. I was encouraged to see a couple of hawkers skimming across the the heather which was in full colour

It was so still that the clattering of dragonfly wings could clearly be heard as they flew amongst the reeds.

Common and Migrant Hawkers patrolled the waters edge and
there were dozens of male and female Black Darters, many of them coupled as well as Emerald Damselfly

Red Grouse were on show amongst the heather and a Sparrowhawk hunted over the ridge