More

At Big Waters outlet stream today, more dragons

Welcome sight

Thought I would try to complete the task so rudely interrupted by the bees on the previous day, so I went back to Newburn and filled the box with blackberries.
In one particularly small sheltered corner I was pleased to be able to watch six of these corkers hawking about

I was surprised to see how many coupled Common Darters were still in reproduction mode.

In one small area there were about 30 pairs over a small patch of water. The water levels being at their lowest level in the past year.

Could have been worse

The plan was to harvest some of the glut of blackberries which exists.
I found a bush with some large ripe fruits and as I was reaching for the largest my foot slipped into a rabbit hole. Looking down, there was a swarm of angry bees charging out of the hole.

Immediate reaction was to get the hell out of  there down the hill, swatting with the cap as I went.
First thirty yards in 3.1 seconds, well almost, I luckily managed to get away with one sting over the right eye. Near miss.

Quayside

Following a sight of the cracking pics by Gateshead and Beyond I had a look down to the quayside to try and spot a Peregrine. Tick.

was also pleased to be able to watch a Common Sandpiper feeding amongst the weed, beside the Swing Bridge, as the river level dropped with the outgoing tide.

Not sure whats gannin on here, but looks like a bonfire being built on the wooden Dunston Staithes, but wait a mo, just done google search and its an art installation. 

Painted Lady

My Butterfly Quest had ground to a halt with only the off chance of a sighting of a migrant Painted Lady or Clouded Yellow remaining.
At Druridge Pools today I was stunned by the high numbers of Peacock, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Wall, Comma, and Small, Large, Green veined White on the small areas of flowering thistle which remain.
So you can imagine my pleasure whilst watching these as a Painted Lady passed over my shoulder from behind and landed three feet in front me for my 35th addition to my Quest total.
Another feeding on teazel provided ample chance for more pics.

Spiders

Smart spiders in the garden frame today

Not sure if these below are same species as above. This below is quite a good jumper.

Colour ring Godwit

Today there was three Black tailed Godwit on Shibdon Pond and one of them being colour ringed.

Bird's left tibia- yellow, white with number 8

Bird's right tibia- white, red.

Could not see any rings below joint

Have sent the sighting onward