Shibdon Pond

A late evening visit to Shibdon was rescued by a single Green Sandpiper

Big Waters Dragons

A pre lunchtime visit to Big Waters outlet stream gave us sightings of

Common Darter

and what I believe to be an immature male Southern Hawker

and of course loads of Damselfly

Newcastle Great Park

A walk around the main pond at the south end of Newcastle Great Park produced five male and two female Emperor Dragonfly.

Hartley cliff tops

We left Seaton Sluice to wander along the cliff top path at Old Hartley. The number of butterfly about was quite remarkable. These included-
Common Blue male

Common Blue female

Meadow Brown male

Meadow Brown female

Six-spot Burnet. Don't think I have seen so many on the wing

There were dozens of Small and Large Skipper, and of course the Hartley Alpaca herd

and it was a pleasant surprise to bump into Howden Blogger - John and his better half.

I've left the bird sightings for him to report, apart from this shot

Big Waters

An early evening wander around Big Waters produced a sighting of a single Banded Damoiselle at the east end of the water.

At the hide it was a surprise to see three Great Spotted Woodpeckers in the feeder area all at the same time

Big Waters

During a brief walk around the east end of Big Waters this morning we watched an Emperor Dragonfly, Four spotted Chaser and a female Common Darter which is a first for me this summer.
The place was alive with Damselfly.

Hummingbird Hawkmoth

This afternoon in a Sunniside garden we watched a Hummingbird Hawkmoth working its way around the garden flowers probing for nectar.
Its only the second I have ever seen. This first being in an Algerian garden, thirty-five years ago.
I understand that while some are resident near the south coast, most make their way here from the continent.