Liden Lagoon in the sun
An angler wades out to the cages
Behind the bungalows a Chiffchaff was calling again and a Blackcap was singing away deep inside an ivy clad tree to my right. As I peered through the branches from the path, I suddenly realised that the pair of Gadwall I thought had left were still present. Having seen me they scooted off towards the "north" island only to be pursued by the resident cob Mute Swan. His posture was really threatening with his wings up and neck and head right back over his body. Quite scary to say the least and not surprisingly the Gadwall decided that a quick retreat was in order and disappeared into the north-east corner of the lagoon where the river Liden runs out.
A very threatening Mute Swan
Its head well back ready to strike
The Gadwall were its target
A bit further round the track I could see on the pontoon, that bisects the two islands, that there was a Cormorant soaking up the sun. It's been quite awhile since there's been one here and further along towards the top of the "south" island there was a Grey Heron hunting in the shallows. This was also another bird that hasn't been seen here for a few months. As I watched the Heron feeding, I could hear a familiar sound coming from the bushes just behind it. A Lesser Whitethroat, but try as I could, I just couldn't pinpoint where it was sitting. Even when I got round the other side of the island I could hear it, but finding it was impossible. However I did see and hear a Willow Warbler and also another Chiffchaff and Blackcap.
A Cormorant returns to the Lagoon
And so does a Grey Heron after a long absence
The "south" island full of warblers
As I walked down the slope of the tarmac path, a large flock of Lesser Black-backed Gulls came into bathe. In fact a total 21 birds flew in plus 2 Herring Gulls, the cob Mute Swan was yet again not impressed and steamed into them and helped them on their way.
Lesser Black-backed Gulls come down for a bathe
Two Herring Gull and Mallard
The Herring Gull on the left is a 4th-summer the other an adult
Also around the edges of the Lagoon a few Lesser Pond-sedges are now out.
Birds recorded today were: pair Great Crested Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, pair Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Mallard, pair Gadwall, Moorhen, Coot, 2 Herring Gull, 21 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Wood Pigeon, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch.
Lesser Pond-sedge
Today's Photos Here
Of Interest
Of Interest
Butterflies are cold-blooded, which means that their body temperatures are not regulated on their own. A butterfly's body temperature is instead affected by the temperatures of its surroundings. If it is too cold butterflies must warm up their bodies in order fly, if it is too warm they must cool down their bodies in order to fly. The optimum body temperature for a butterfly to fly is between 82 °-102° F. Butterflies can fly in air temperatures as cool as 55° F but they must regulate their body temperature and keep it warm by practising behavioural tactics such a shivering their wings or basking in the sun. If the temperature is over 108° F a butterfly body temperature may become to warm to fly and it may have to cool its body temperature.
This extract was courtesy of the website "Obsession with Butterflies" See Here for more details