Mid-summer Millichen

As mentioned in a previous blog, Millichen is best visited in autumn and/or winter, particularly after heavy rain. However, it can produce good bird/wildlife watching at any time and yesterday was no exception.

In summary, 26 species of bird, 4 species of butterfly and one mammal were seen.

Some summer migrants appear to have had a good season with good numbers of Swallows present at East Millichen Farm and Millichen Steadings. There were a few young Whitethroats and Willow Warblers present as well as a solitary Sand Martin and Swift.

It was also good to find a juvenile Stonechat after the last two winters had resulted in the loss of the resident pairs. The resident Yellowhammers, Reed Buntings and Tree Sparrows were all seen, as was a good flock of House Sparrows.

Looking west to East Millichen Farm, from Balmore Road

Young Common Whitethroat

Adult Yellowhammer, with food for young

There were large numbers of Green-veined White butterflies with also some Small Tortoiseshell, a few Meadow Brown and Ringlet all benefitting from the range of wildflowers and grasses that can be found here.

Orange Hawkweed

Green-veined White butterflies

Small Tortoiseshell

Over the next few weeks keep an eye out for passage waders, assuming that Millichen Flood actually holds some water. In the past, Black-tailed Godwit, Ruff, Greenshank and even a Pectoral Sandpiper have turned up!