12th July - more cloud, early shower Llangollen

Llangollen; up very early to check River Dee, fortunately a single Dipper was feeding.

South Stack RSPB; next stop was here to see the sea birds, stopping at Holyhead harbour to see Black Guillemot -  it was cloudy and with some sea mist blowing in, clearing as the morning progressed.
Only a single Black Guillemot was seen, it appeared to be sitting on a nest in the harbour wall.

At South Stack the sea birds were busy with their young, Guillemots, Razorbills and a few Kittiwake  and Puffin.  Fascinating to watch them, not very elegant when landing on the sea.

Off shore a few Gannet and Manx Shearwater passed by, sometimes quite close.

It was good to see a pair of Chough with a 'begging' juvenile, often feeding it.

Other birds seen included a Wheatear, Meadow and Rock Pipits, at least 3 families of Stonechat and several Linnet families.

11th July - sunny, 24C, light NE

After lunch I headed of to Llangollen in Wales, en route I dropped in at Chelmarsh reservoir (Shrops) where a Little Bittern has been showing well for a few days, and was reported this morning.  Well, after a considerable while there it had not showed, in fact no-one had seen it again, so a miss here today.  A Kingfisher provided a splash of colour.

Llangollen; mid-evening I checked the river for Dipper, none seen.  However, there was 12 Mandarin Duck, including a female with 3 well grown duckling.

10th July - sunny, fresher am, 23C, light NE

Willey;  a Male Kestrel flew over the village early pm.

Last night a large moth flew in to the house and promptly disappeared.  Today I found it, I think a Lesser Elephant Hawk moth, I released it, hoping it survives.

Shearsby; went to look at a wild flower Meadow this evening, unfortunately the hot weather meant it was past it’s best.  Still nice to see one.  A Magpie moth was in the wood pile making its way through the heap.  Also, the Spotted Flycatchers were still in territory, which I reported a few weeks ago here.

9th July - sunny, not, 26C, cloudier pm, light NE

Willey; a busy day so few obs.  However, a Red-legged Partridge strutted up the drive and passed me, as if I was nor there!

8th July - sunny, hot, 28C, light northerly

Cotesbach Landfill; this morning 2 Oystercatchers and a Redshank were feeding at the pools. A Common Darter posed nicely and a (Black-tailed?) Dragonfly.  3 Red Kites too.

Shawell Lagoons; a quick look here produced a Green Woodpecker feeding on the banks and at last a Tufted Duck brood of 6 ducklings.

Stanford reservoir;  a steady stroll here after lunch hoping for butterflies.  Good number of the common ones, the Gatekeeper is now becoming numerous, also Comma, Small Tortoiseshell and Red Admiral.

The main news is that the single Common Tern pair that nested on the new raft (see earlier posts about installing them) now have two chicks.  There are hiding under one of the pipes but their for their use and are being fed small fry.
A Red Kite and Kestrel were about, then an Osprey flew in for a short while.

All the usual Warblers were seen/heard, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Goldfinch, Linnet, Bullfinch and Chaffinch.  On the dam/outflow a good number of Grey and Pied Wagtails were present.
Mute Swans numbered 49, c40 Tufted Duck, 3 Teal and a single female Shoveler.  Still young ducklings enjoying themselves.

7th July - sunny, hot, 28C, verry light NW

Phew, another scorcher - more to come!

Cotesbach landfill; this morning a quick look here while passing, Carl had already checked for waders and Gulls and nothing unusual was about, so I got on with my tasks.  A little later Carl text to say he had seen a Purple Hairstreak Butterfly along the wood-side, so I went back as soon as I could.  After a while we spotted them, 2, and managed to get some photos. Unfortunately never with their wings fully open to show off the magnificent purple colours.

Two Spotted Flycatchers were also present and a colourful Cinnabar moth.  At least 13 Red Kites were present.

6th July - sunny, hot , 29C, light NW

Willey; heard a Raven calling mid-day towards the Moors lane.

Misterton; a check here produced 2 Spotted Flycatchers, the usual mix of Tits, Goldcrest and Blackcap.