The Local Patch.....29th June,3rd And 10th July 2020.

A compilation from the last 3 visits to the local patch on the Humber,with a first record for the patch list,a few returning waders and interesting insects observed,this is what i saw over the three visits.

29th June

Today,autumn wader passage began and it consisted of single Green and Common Sandpipers at Winter's Pond,with both being adult birds,which is the norm these days,with particularly the Green Sand,being a possible failed breeding bird with it's early arrival on the patch.
 Also of interest were single female Cuckoos observed at both Winter's and the Skitter and a small movement of 264 Common Swift which were observed heading south in the blustery south westerly wind.
 A couple of new Hoverfly species for the patch today included both Volucella bombylans and Cheilosia illustrata,common species i know,but it is the first time i have knowingly seen them.


4th July

An all day visit covering the whole patch in fairly crap conditions with occasional showers today,proved fruitfull,with a new species for the patch being recorded...Common Crossbill.Three birds were heard and seen passing west at Chapel Field Farm at Goxhill,becoming species number 203 for my local patch list.There has been a significant movement of the species along the east coast,with hundreds being involved and i'm guessing these birds are part of that movement,a most welcome record indeed.
 Other notable species observed today,included adult Green and Common Sandpipers again at Winter's and 2 Little-ringed Plover which flew west at the Skitter.
 The only notable insect observed today,was an Essex Skipper along the Humber floodbank near Dawson City,my first personal record for the year.

10th July 

A visit again today,saw a few highlights being recorded,with a lovely moulting adult Whimbrel between Winter's and the Skitter and a pick up in the numbers of Common Sandpipers to a decent 7 birds,with 4 together at the Skitter.
 Finally,Icelandic Black-tailed Godwits have began to arrive,with today at least 248 birds being counted including 41 on the pasture at Winter's.It's really great to see these beautiful birds back for the winter,let's hope they have had a decent breeding season this year.
 Other bits included a Kingfisher and a whopping brood of 6 Mute Swans along the beck near the Skitter today,the latter a really good sized brood,hopefully they will all reach fledging.

Red Admiral,East Halton Skitter,29th June.

Cheilosia illustrata,Grange Farm,East Halton,29th June.

Episyrphus balteatus,Grange Farm,East Halton,29th June.

Lesser-marsh Grasshopper Nymph,Goxhill Haven,4th July.

Male Field Grasshopper,Goxhill Haven,4th July.

Female Meadow Grasshopper,Goxhill Haven,4th July.

Small Tortoiseshell,Goxhill Haven,4th July.

Biting Stonecrop,Goxhill Haven,4th July.

Winter's Pond Dawn,10th July.

Phone Scoped Photo Of The Moon Over East Halton,10th July.