Black Darter

Another excellent seawatch at Whitburn. No stand-out rarities today, but plenty moving and superb views of a Balearic Shearwater.

05.50-09.30
Common Scoter    23n  3s
Manx Shearwater    25n
Sandwich Tern    38n  9s
Red-throated Diver    14n  6s
Curlew    26n
Common Tern    43n  47s
Arctic Skua    1n  9s
Sooty Shearwater    19n
Redshank    23n
Dunlin    4n
Teal    136n
Arctic Tern    3n
Wigeon    46n
Mallard  1n
Puffin    1n
Knot    16n
Golden Plover    1n
Little Gull    4n  2s
Whimbrel    1s
Shag    7n  5s
Balearic Shearwater    1n
Pintail    8n
Goldeneye    2n  1s
Pomarine Skua    4n
Bonxie    1n
Peregrine    1n
Kestrel    1n
Wheatear    2

Back in Gateshead I took advantage of the warmth and blue sky, taking a visit to Kibblesworth for dragonflies. It took a while, but eventually a pair of Black Darter appeared, the female ovipositing while the male stood guard and chased intruders. Also here were loads of Common Darter, a few Emerald Damsel, 2 Common and a Southern Hawker.



Male Black Darter

 



Female Black Darter

Ovipositing

It was then to Lamesley post box where at least one Holly Blue was flitting around the Ivy covered wall. My first in Gateshead for a few years.



Holly Blue