Mid-summer at Grimsbury

The mid-summer doldrums have been well and truly in place at Grimsbury Reservoir, Banbury for much of June and early July, where bird movement ceases for a short while before gradually, slowly but surely, things liven up again through July & August.

The place though has been alive with life, particularly insects, despite the poorly-advised, constant grass cutting undertaken by presumably Thames Water.

On the butterfly front, I had sightings of a couple of migrant Painted Ladies on 01/07, while others species have included several Marbled White, Small & Large Skippers, lots of Meadow Browns, Ringlets, Small Tortoiseshells and the first Gatekeepers too. 2nd brood Green-Veined & Large White have also began to rise in number as well as the odd handsome Red Admiral and Comma too for good measure!

Particularly along the river, dragonflies & damselflies have also been in abundance. Several Brown Hawkers & Emperor Dragonflies have been evident, as well as lots of Banded Demoiselles and a small colony of the uncommon White-Legged Damselfly (below), a new one for me, discovered by Gareth Blockley.

On the bird front, we've had as many as 4 Common Terns arrive and settle for sometime from mid-June, seemingly setting up a rather late territory, possibly suggested a failed breeding attempt elsewhere. 2 have remained well into July where they have continued to look settled.

There's also been a small push of Common Sandpipers through as well as the odd appearance from a male Little Ringed Plover, presumably lingering in the area post-breeding. Warblers are becoming increasingly less evident, though did recently hear a Lesser Whitethroat singing away by the river, while we're still hearing the odd burst from Blackcap, Whitethroats and Chiffchaff, while Garden Warbler are around if a bit elusive.

Fingers crossed now for some early autumn goodies to add to the already impressive 2015 Grimsbury yearlist!