Spent most of the morning with Roger Carrington and Ken Smith, initially on Beeley Moor then down to Rowsley. At least three Cuckoo seen or calling, Stonechat feeding fledged young, Spotted Flycatcher at Rowsley. Roger had heard Nightjar last night on the edge of the moor so that is something to look for and Ken mentioned a barn on Bonsall Moor with a Redstart nest so I gave that a try in the afternoon with some success. Moths were a little better last night, in part no doubt because I was up at 4am to check the trap before the Blue Tits; Freyer's Pug, Pebble Prominent and Shuttle-shaped Dart were new for the year. I haven't yet identified the caterpillars that the Redstarts were taking to their young but they seemed to be plentiful.
Great shots Andy! Love redstarts, they always look like they belong in a tropical rainforest more than a bleak british moor!
ReplyDeleteYes I agree, we can get com placement about the wildlife on our door steps but the Redstart takes some beating.
ReplyDeleteAndy