Butterfly sightings

A quick wander around Havannah this afternoon provided plenty of sightings of Orange Tip and Green-veined White butterfly

Small beginnings

Have been watching this micro forest developing in one of my small plant pots, and thought it worth recording. Don't have a clue what its about at the moment but will keep watch.

Whittle Dene

Stopped at Whittle Dene on the way elsewhere in the hope of seeing a Yellow Wagtail, but not there yesterday.
There were a few pairs of Linnets and of course Pied Wagtail, however I was pleased to spot these prints in the run off channel.
Five toes, with sharp claw marks on the end, leads me to believe an Otter passed this way.

Gosforth Park NR

A short walk through the woodland area paths of Gosforth Park NR provided some nice views of Blackcap, Wren, Treecreeper, and Roe Deer. Jay, Nuthatch and Woodpeckers were heard but not seen

Nice birds

Another fine morning yesterday so decided to revisit the banks of the Tyne at Prudhoe.
First sightings as I locked the car was a pair of Bullfinch.
I found myself a perch on the riverbank and it wasn't long before a pair of Grey Wagtail appeared and stayed nearby for about half an hour.

A Dipper lifted from a midstream perch and I was surprised at how high it climbed before making its way to the bank. I saw this repeated a number of times.

Walking downstream I was amazed at the number of butterfly and they included my first year
sighting of Orange Tip and Green veined White.

There were dozens of Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Speckled Wood and Comma.
A Common Sandpiper made its way upstream pausing for a short while on a sandy spit.
I wasn't the only one enjoying the sun

A Buzzard soared higher and higher until out of sight

Spetchells

Had a walk along the Spetchells hoping to see an early butterfly or two. So I was a little surprised at the large numbers seen which included Comma, Speckled Wood, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock and a couple of small White(unidentified). Good start.

Sand Martin

Stumbled across around thirty Sand Martin by the river Tyne, earlier today, seemingly checking possible nest sites. It was nice to be able to watch them for about half an hour.