Hugh’s News – 2 October 2020

During a brief spell of sunny warm weather, I saw a Clouded Yellow butterfly just sitting on some rough grass.  This amazing butterfly is mostly a migrant to the UK, originating from North Africa and southern Europe, with numbers varying greatly from year to year.  A few have also overwintered in the UK in recent years another sign of climate warming.  It is incredible to think that such a delicate insect can fly across the Channel.

Joyce was chuffed to see 4 Redwings in her garden feeding on Pyracantha berries! Along with Fieldfares, winter thrushes don’t usually come into gardens until later in the winter, when the hedgerow berries have been stripped or the weather turns much harsher.

Bill came across a lovely female Merlin perched on a post at Hesketh Out Marsh near Southport.

Peter came across a Guillemot off-shore between Thurstaston and Caldy. From his photo, it looks like a juvenile bird, going by the grey smudges on its cheeks.

Jean saw a Sparrowhawk in her garden, no doubt touring the local feeding stations!

No-one has submitted a photo of Pink-feet Geese so far – the challenge is still out there!  And I haven’t taken one myself, so I have added a picture of moulting Canada Geese instead!

Hugh Stewart