Cool Days - but not in a good way

 The weather continues to be dry to arid but the northerly or north easterly wind keeps it feeling very cool, I'd go as far to say that it's been downright cold. This is not good for butterflies or early dragonflies and grey days certainly keep the number of singing birds down.

 

We did have a couple of nice warm days though and butterflies managed to get warm enough to spread their wings and get about the hedgerows.

 

Green-veined White (Pieris napi)

Small White (Pieris rapae)

Male Orange Tip

Male Orange Tip on Red Campion

Large White (Pieris brassicae) on bluebell

The Large White has two or three generations each year and the first brood which are out now have grey wing tips rather than black as seen on later generations.

 

Kittiwakes are commonly seen along our coast, most notably at Bempton cliffs, and don't often venture far inland, so it was good to get my first sighting of Kittiwakes (2) at the Mere earlier in the week. A grey day was brightened by their presence, but they didn't get off the water at all while I was watching them. Distant pics, cropped heavily, but Kittiwakes never the less.

 

Kittiwakes on the Mere

Mere Kittiwakes

I walked around the Mere on Monday, not expecting to see anything more than the usual birds and insects. I was very disappointed, and a little unsettled, to see hardly anything at all along the long stretch of footpath through the fields on the north side. As you enter the fields off Seaton Road and go up the slight incline through the rape crop then level out and walk straight ahead for about half a mile, I saw nothing at all - not even a crow or Wood Pigeon. It was like something from a post-apocalyptic movie where everything has been killed off. The large arable field just over the hedgerow was barren, possibly awaiting planting or has just been planted, so no Skylarks there, no Linnet or Reed Bunting, no Whitethroat or Corn Bunting in the hedge. No butterflies either.

North side of the Mere devoid of birds

 It was a relief to reach the path towards Buttercup Farm when I saw signs of life again.

 

On Tuesday I saw my first dragonfly of the year - a Hairy Dragonfly. No chance of a photo I'm afraid but we are now into the exciting phase of the year when larger insects start emerging!!

 

 The first young birds of the season are afloat on the Mere, Mallard ducklings are the most numerous (three families), Canada Goose goslings from a single family were also seen.

One of three family groups of Mallard

 

There were loads of hirundines and Swifts high over the Mere today, mainly Swifts and Swallows with House Martins and Sand Martins mixed in. I enjoy trying to get pics of Swifts each year, knowing I'll fail most of the time to get decent shots, but the effort is worth it when you get one good image. Today wasn't the day though!

Swift. Must try a lot harder 😂

We usually get Lapwings here every year, but this year has been a poor year to date, until today. A pair were displaying along the south side this afternoon so there is hope we could see breeding activity after all. They are usually well advanced with partners by this time but you never know.

South side Lapwing

Warmer times are on their way allegedly. I can't wait 😊