Late spring at Staines Moor

A few hours at Staines Moor this morning failed to locate any late passage migrants, however, it was good to see some early breeding successes. Recently fledged Starlings have formed a small flock around the cattle on the moor, and Great Tits were also seen feeding fledglings. Breeding is also well underway for summer visitors - this fledgling Blackcap (1st photo) was being fed by an adult and Common Whitethroats are now busy feeding young (2nd photo).

Counts today include 1-2 Hobby, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Garden Warbler, 3 Sedge Warbler, 3 Reed Warbler, 10 Common Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaff, 10 Swallow, 10 House Martin, 8 Swift, 3 Common Tern over, 1 Little Egret on the Colne (3rd photo), 3 Reed Bunting (including a female performing a 'broken wing' display at me), just 1 Lapwing, 2 Greylag Geese, several displaying Meadow Pipit and the usual Skylark and Linnet.

Lots of Banded Demoiselles Calopteryx splendens are now on the wing (male - 4th photo, female - 5th photo) as well as a few Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum, and the moor is covered with flowering Marsh Marigolds Caltha palustris and Yellow Flag Iris Iris pseudacorus.