LARGE RED DAMSELFLY AND BELTED BEAUTY MOTH

Jen and I met our good friend Paul Brewster this morning at his local patch near Northwich. The day before, he had discovered several early Large Red damselflies, a species we had yet to encounter ourselves.

The site, a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), is renowned for its acidic wetlands and two mature schwingmoors. Almost immediately, we were treated to our first Green Hairstreak butterflies of the year, and by the time we left, we had counted them in double digits. A few day-flying moths, including Common Heaths, also flitted past. 

Green Hairstreak

Our search for damselflies proved more challenging. Overcast skies and cooler temperatures meant the insects were elusive. Just as we were heading back to the car, luck intervened: a Large Red Damselfly flew across our path and landed nearby, giving us a perfect view.

My first sighting of a Large Red Damselfly

Paul and I

It was a memorable first sighting for me, and a reminder of why exploring local patches with friends is so rewarding.

Later, Jen and I travelled to Morecambe in Lancashire in pursuit of the Belted Beauty moth (Lycia zonaria britannica), a UK-endemic subspecies. This site is the only remaining English stronghold of the species. Once found at two other sites in Caernarfonshire and Cheshire, the moth has become extinct there due to habitat loss from housing, golf courses, and coastal development. Thankfully, it continues to thrive in the Outer Hebrides, where conservation efforts and pristine landscapes have preserved the population, though in a different subspecies form.

                                         Jenna starts the search

Shortly after arriving, Jenna spotted a male Belted Beauty and a female, a thrilling sight that marked the highlight of our visit. 

As the weather worsened, with stronger winds and dropping temperatures, we decided to call it a day, satisfied with our single but remarkable encounter.

Another great day out, filled with butterflies, moths, and damselflies, adding a few more sightings to my ever-growing list.

MIDDLETON LAKES RSPB-WARWICKSHIRE

I spent the past week birding in Lichfield with Owen Parsons and Marc Hughes, and one of the highlights was a visit to Middleton Lakes RSPB.

Walking around the reserve, we enjoyed observing numerous species and some early migrants. Three bitterns were heard booming in the distance, while our first Sedge and Reed Warblers of the season flitted briefly through the reedbeds. Among the many species we recorded were:

Little Ringed Plover

Cetti's Warbler

Blackcap

Goosander

Shelduck

Robin

Avocet

Great Crested Grebe

After a rewarding few hours at Middleton Lakes, we headed to Napton Reservoir. Owen and I had visited earlier in March, but Marc hadn’t seen a Ferruginous Duck in several years. The male Ferruginous Duck performed beautifully, and we also connected with our first Yellow Wagtails and a very showy Common Whitethroat of the year.

Ferruginous Duck

Common Whitethroat

Yellow Wagtail

It was a fantastic morning of birding, and there was no doubt that Spring is now in full swing.

A MORNING'S BIRDING IN CONWY AND SUMMONING THE EMPEROR MOTH

I met Marc Hughes at dawn this morning to explore his patch, the Great Orme, near Llandudno. The sunrise over the Orme set the scene beautifully, casting a golden glow across the limestone cliffs and the sea beyond.

Sunrise on the Great Orme

Marc, walking his beloved patch

Although I had visited the Great Orme a few times to observe rare birds, I hadn’t realised just how vast the area was. Meadow Pipits dominated the morning, and we must have seen over 450 streaming northward during their migration. A lone Tree Pipit also passed overhead, adding to the migratory spectacle.

Meadow Pipit

Our main target was a male Ring Ouzel, and we were fortunate to locate a stunning individual, a highlight of a truly productive dawn. Other notable species included four Wheatears and two Choughs, both emblematic birds of this dramatic coastal habitat.

Ring Ouzel

Other birds of note were 4 Wheatears and 2 Choughs.

Chough

Wheatear

As we left the Orme and approached Conwy, news came through of an Osprey departing the Conwy Valley. We were lucky to watch it soar over Conwy Castle, a fitting finale to our coastal birding before stopping to check a moth trap and enjoy a warm drink. I added two new moths to my list: Chestnut and Pine Beauty.

Chestnut

Pine Beauty

Our next target was the Emperor Moth, with a site near Penmaenmawr identified by Marc. Using three pheromone lures, we were soon rewarded: my first Emperor Moth settled on the heather long enough for photographs, followed by two more males arriving at the lures. This iconic moth, one I had long hoped to see, was a perfect conclusion to a morning of wildlife wonders.

With spirits high and memories fresh, we finally wrapped up our day, grateful for an incredible morning in the company of good friends and unforgettable wildlife.

What a morning!

WEEK IN WALES

I spent the last few days in South Wales with my good friend Marc Hughes, working near Carmarthen. On the way south, I made a brief stop at Frampton on Severn Boating Lake in Gloucestershire, where I enjoyed excellent views of 11 Little Gulls—a delightful reminder that spring migration is well underway. A Black Swan was also present, adding an unexpected touch of spectacle to the morning.

Frampton on Severn boating lake

It’s great to see these birds migrating; spring has arrived!

A Black Swan was present as well

During our stay in South Wales, Marc and I were treated to superb views of a Goshawk and a Red Kite, along with a variety of migrants including Willow Warblers, Sand Martins, and Swallows. Setting up the moth trap allowed me to add several species to my list, and I also spotted my first Peacock butterfly of the year, along with Water Carpet and Twin-Spotted Quaker moths.

Red Kite

Peacock

Water Carpet

Twin-Spotted Quaker

On my journey home, I stopped at Devil’s Bridge—a place I hadn’t visited since September 19, 1981, when I came with my late father. Standing in the valley, watching Red Kites soar above, was an emotional experience. This site was once the last stronghold of the Red Kite in the British Isles.

The history of the Red Kite in Britain is fascinating. Once common across the country, they were initially protected by law in the early 15th century for their role in cleaning the streets of London. Yet by the 17th and 18th centuries, they were relentlessly persecuted for preying on game birds and, bizarrely, for stealing washing for their nests. In Tenterden, Kent, 432 Red Kites were recorded killed in just 14 years from 1677. By the 19th century, the species survived only in the remote hills of central Wales.

In the 1950s, a committed group of Welsh conservationists formed the Kite Committee, gradually increasing the population from just a dozen pairs to around 100 by the early 1990s. Later, the RSPB and the Nature Conservancy Council initiated the UK Red Kite Project, reintroducing birds from Sweden and Spain to England and Scotland. Today, the Red Kite population is thriving, a testament to decades of careful conservation.

It was a wonderful week in South Wales with Marc, full of spectacular birds and a poignant reminder of the resilience of nature—and of memories that stay with us.

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS & UK(MEGAS)

5th April 2025

National Mega News

Alpine Accentor-Blackgang-Isle Of Wight

Forster's Tern-Adult again flew over bird boat in Wareham Channel-Poole Harbour-Dorset 

American Coot-Loch Of Spiggie-Shetland

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

Common Redstart briefly in private garden - Lower Heswall.

2 Grasshopper Warbler - Burton Point.

3 Spotted Redshank-Burton RSPB

Yellow Wagtail-Alsager

Common Redstart-Hale

Water Pipit-Lordship lane-Frodsham Marshes

40 Black Necked Grebes-Woolston Eyes(Permit Only)

Ruddy Shelduck-Still off Spike Island-Widnes

4th April 2025

National Mega News

Alpine Accentor- Still showing well on cliff just north of Aire Point-Nanquidno valley-Cornwall

Forster's Tern-Adult again on 'boomerang' island at lagoon late morning-Brownsea Island-Dorset

American Coot-Loch Of Spiggie-Shetland

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

5 Little Gull-Budworth Mere-Northwich 

3 Little Gull-On north pool at Mere Farm Quarry-Chelford

Garganey-Female on No 3 Bed from John Morgan Hide-Wolston Eyes

3rd April 2025

National Mega News

Alpine Accentor- Still showing well on cliff just north of Aire Point-Nanquidno valley-Cornwall

Forster's Tern-Adult again on 'boomerang' island at lagoon late morning-Brownsea Island-Dorset

American Coot-Loch Of Spiggie-Shetland

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

2,260 Black-tailed Godwit (record high spring count for this site), many now in full breeding plumage - Caldy Wildfowl Collection.

Hen Harrier (male) flew inland and 20 Fieldfare flew SE along Wirral Way - Parkgate.

5 Wheatear - Hoylake Shore.

40 Black Necked Grebes and Adult Little Gull-Woolston Eyes(Permit Only)

2nd April 2025

National Megas News

Alpine Accentor- Still showing well on cliff just north of Aire Point-Nanquidno valley-Cornwall

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

2 Water Pipit-Lordship Lane-Frodsham Marshes

Ruddy Shelduck-Still on River Mersey off Spike Island-Widnes

10 Spotted Redshank-Burton RSPB

1st April 2025 

National Megas News

Forster's Tern-Adult again-Brownsea Island-Dorset

Booted Eagle-Pale-morph juvenile flew north-east-Penzance-Cornwall

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

7 Water Pipit-Lordship Lane-Frodsham Marshes

36 Black Necked Grebes-N04 bed and 2 Garganey-(1 Drake)-Woolston Eyes(Permit Only)

Ruddy Shelduck-Still on River Mersey off Spike Island-Widnes