Lunt Meadows

Chiffchaff

Kevin spotted this chiffchaff singing it's heart out atop the trees at our Lunt Meadows nature reserve. So-called because they sing out a loud, simple 'chiff chaff chiff chaff' song. Most migrate here from Africa, and are our earliest summer visitors. Often mistaken for willow warblers, the best way to identify them is by it's song, and leg colour; chiffchaffs have dark grey legs whereas willow warblers have pale legs. 

Whitethroat

Tom shared this sighting of a male whitethroat with us from his visit to Lunt Meadows this month. Another summer visitor from sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, the whitethroat summers here to breed, and will leave our shores for another year in October, returning once again next April. 

Middleton Nature Reserve

Mullein caterpillar

Janet Packham shared these mullein caterpillars making short work of this Mullein plant in Middleton. A beautiful caterpillar with striking colours, you're more likely to spot these on your walks than when in their moth state. The adult moths are brown and easily overlooked whilst resting, as they look just like a piece of dead plant stem. Mullein spend the winter as a pupa, in a strong cocoon in the ground. They have been known to spend up to five winters in this state before emerging.

Six-spot burnet moth

We've seen lots of these stunning moths, along with their 5-spot cousins, on our reserves this June. Janet shared this lovely photo of her sightings in Middleton Nature Reserve. The red spots of burnet moths indicate to predators that they are poisonous: they release hydrogen cyanide when attacked! The adults feed on the nectar of knapweed, thistles and other grassland flowers, and are only around until August so get out to 'spot' some whilst you can.

Shaded broad-bar moth

Widespread and common, these fluttering moths are easily disturbed from their grassy habitats during the day. It also flies from dusk until after dark and is a trademark sight of summer walks through long grasses. Thanks to Janet for sharing such a clear photo showing it's distinct banding on the wings. 

Little Woolden Moss

Teal duck 

Teals are a common 'dabbling duck', meaning that they upend themselves in the water, paddling their feet in the air to dive for food. They are the smallest ducks in the UK, and are always a pleasing sight on our reserves. Kevin shared this photo of a male teal at Little Woolden Moss. Collectively, a group of teal is known as a 'spring' because of the way they take-off suddenly and vertically, as if springing straight off the ground. 

Brockholes

Large Skipper Butterfly  

Sarah shared these beautiful photos of a large skipper butterfly she saw at Brockholes this summer. This one is feeding on a marsh thistle with the light shining through it's wings. The large skipper has russet-brown wings edged with large, dark brown patches and dotted with small, light orange patches. This pattern helps distinguish them from the small and Essex skippers. Males have a small black stripe in the middle of their forewings.

Thank you to our wildlife lovers who have contributed their sightings this month: Janet Packham, Kevin Bradshaw, Tom McKibbin, Dave Steel and Sarah L 

#30DaysWild nature blog

Dave Steel journals his adventures throughout #30DaysWild again this June! 

Each June birder and wildlife lover, Dave, diaries his sightings and explorations as he wanders through the wild world, inspiring us and the rest of the #30DaysWild community.Read his heart-warming blog and share in his daily sightings here: A yellow wagtail's look of disdain