Scaling Dam

50 species (of bird) at Scaling this morning (excluding the zoo collection - Fulvous Whistling Duck x2 and Swan Goose x2 :-(

Short-eared owl carrying food, a pair of Whinchat, an extra Whitethroat, 5 male Reed Buntings, LRP with chicks and various tufted duck broods amongst the highlights. A Brown Rat in the hide was disconcerting, memo - close the door on entry.

The lovely field at the back was full of Chimney Sweepers (day flying chocolate coloured moth) but i couldn't get close enough to them for a pic. However a confiding Common Bue Damselfly made up for such shyness (this pic repays a click as it's uncropped).

At home Chaffinch, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Yellowhammer and Goldfinch all have fledged juvs (rubbish pic of Goldfinch brood through kitchen window). The Siskin hoards continue to deplete the Nyger at an alarming (financially) rate and another 14-spot ladybird was in the garden.