Spring Moths

Some good moths this year despite the weather, here's a few I have enjoyed so far.

Twin-spotted Quaker

Oak Beauty

Satellite

Surely this time..

There have been a few false alarms this year but this morning it really was spring like, stepping out of the car with thoughts of summer visitors it was much much milder and not raining, the air was ringing with Skylarks singing. We explored Stobswood moor area, walking the tracks and checking the ponds.

track of the day

So many birds singing and displaying, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting, Lapwing and Curlew.

There were passage birds to observe too, two groups of Golden Plover, 3 and 10, with obvious jet black bellies, were seen flying over the highest parts of the moor, and away. My first Wheatear of the year is always a highlight, a male was frequenting a boulder pile, photographs were attempted without success and the bird eventually dropped out of sight from a fence post and we never saw it again, moved on?.

hide and seek Wheatear frustration

distant Wheatear frustration

We headed towards the coast, stopping for tea at Widdrington Moor, Great Crested Grebes were paired up and displaying out on the lake and there were hundreds of gulls on the lake and in the adjacent fields, often spooking and taking to the air. 
A shout went out just as I bit into a cheese and pickle roll, Swallow!, Stewart picked up a bird flying from the lake towards us, another summer migrant for the morning. Really good to get the first Swallow of the year, not often on the same day as Wheatear mind.

On into Druridge Bay, checking out the hides on the reserve we could reach without having to wade through water. 30+ Black Tailed Godwit and a few Ruff on the Budge fields. 

Sand martins were added to the Summer Migrant tally, usually the very first seen but its been a difficult spring.

Cresswell Pond is a place that has a whole story of its own for me but it'll never be told, probably. Checking it out briefly this morning though it was a world away from that tale. Lifting the binoculars on the main pond from the car park by the Bridle Path end,ten Avocets swimming around the pond, calling, they were all swimming together at one point, absolutely wonderful. 

On our way home as we passed Widdrington Moor a female Marsh Harrier was patrolling the area between the road and the pond, we turned the car and drove back in the hope of a closer view, the bird moved off so we drank tea and headed off ourselves.