Mid-summer at Murton

Still no Dragonflies at Murton but it was dull, Meadow Brown and Ringlet Butterflies are out and Common Blue Damselflies can be seen mating and egg laying on the bottom pond. Some of the Ducks are showing signs of their summer moult and males in particular are changing to "eclipse" plumage. New chicks are appearing around the reserve and the Sand Martin wall which was full of young is now looking empty as they've nearly all fledged. Still couldn't get a photo of the elusive Kingfisher as it flew past at speed!

Meadow Brown Butterfly

Ringlet Butterfly

Common Blue Damselfly female

Ring-necked Drake with Gadwall drakes moulting into eclipse

Shoveler Drake also moulting

A Black-headed Gull chick, the most advanced one I've seen at Murton

These two of three Oystercatcher chicks have only just left the nest platform near this spit