Holly Blue

First Holly Blue on Monday morning near Markfield but went on to see dozens thoughout the remainder of the day.

Rutland Water

Two days running at RW this weekend. Burley Fishponds gave us a solitary Osprey, drake Goldeneye and 2 Egyptian Geese. A quick peek at Lagoon 1 revealed one of the 55 Black Tern that day!! plus Yellow Legged Gull. Thanks to Adrian for an excellent meeting (Leicestershire & Rutland Moth Group Annual Recorders Meeting 2008). The review of 2007 was very good, as ever, even though it had been a particularly poor season and we also had our appetites whetted with a trip report from Gambia. Trap is on tonight so fingers crossed.............

Trap Result 03/05/08

The Streamer
2 Double Striped Pug
Common Pug
Currant Pug (new to garden)
Hebrew Character
2 Clouded Drab
2 Early Grey
Lesser Swallow Prominent

Saturday May 3rd

Browns Wood was the first port of call. No sign of the Gropper but Lesser Whitethroat, Stock Dove were good as were the first Peacock, Brimstone, Large White and Speckled Wood of the year. 1 Little Owl was showing well at the usual site at the reservoir. Picking up Rob Gill we moved on to Rutland Water. The female Osprey was on the nest at Manton and we nipped into the visitor centre and mopped up the 13 Black Tern plus a few other bits. Eyebrook supplied us with the long staying Green Winged Teal, another Osprey, Yellow Wagtail, Tree Sparrow, Whitethroat and Garden Warbler. The day was topped off with a cracking pint of Adnams in the Rose and Crown at Tilton. Cracking afternoon birding.....................

First GVW

A pristine Green Veined White today plus male Orange Tip and Small White along the banks of the soar in Belgrave.

Thornton Res

Rather ambitious I know but ran the trap last night with no moths this morning. As I had a little time on my hands I called in at the dam and bumped into Dave. Common Sandpiper and Grey Wagtail were good compensation (for no moths, not bumping into Dave). A five minute pull at Lea Wood, Ulverscroft was disappointing with only Chiffchaff and an obliging Kestrel of any interest

Bank Holiday Weekend

Monumental cock up by yours truly. Dave Wright and Rob Gill were going to join me for an afternoons birding before heading of to this year's Annual Moth Recorder Meeting at Rutland Water. The other night I realised that the meeting was Sunday not Saturday. I'm still having a few hours out and about on Saturday afternoon and going to the meeting on Sunday but not combining the two. More care needed when reading emails m'thinks........I think I just assumed it would be Saturday. That's what happens thought when you assume, you make and ASS out of U and ME.............Still looking forward to some hopefully good birding and a good meeting on Sunday.