UKC

Mainly butterflies, with about 15 common blue this morning, the most I’ve ever seen. Stunning. And a small skipper and speckled wood

And some more. 

I presume it's the common blue I've seen a few of on the banks of the Irwell - little blue thing fluttering about that never seems to settle onto something long enough to get a view like your piccy.

Not hill related but a super day at Coalsnaughton - red spotted woodpecker heard when having an early brew by the pond, red kite flitting about over the field next to the house and another field hotching with swifts. Well over a hundred and what a cracking noise they were making. Altogether a lovely morning before sweating away ripping up carpets in Killearn. Just had to let someone know.

Most likely Common, but is it a possibility of being Holly Blue? Holly Blue just gets as far north as Fife (a few exceptions) and so I’m keeping a look out of one! Other blue butterflies area less likely than Common, or maybe Holly, I would have thought in your general area.

BTW, checking bird reports, I see a Lesser Yellowlegs is at Leighton Moss if you are visiting. Saw one last year when it visited St Andrews in July.

Nope, went to Burton Mere this morning - didn't get bitten by flies 👍, saw quite a few good birds.

• First year that a pair of Spoonbills has successfully bred there
• Several Spotted Redshank - first ones I've seen in summer plumage which looked like it was just starting to fade - but no Common Redshank!
• Loads of Ruff but they've lost the fancy collars by now
• Both of those in with all the Black-tailed Godwits which also hid a single Knot
• First Mediterranean Gulls of the year - about time! - previously kept on missing them
• Really good views of Sedge, Grasshopper and Reed Warbler
• Marsh Harriers of course