Many of our butterflies are on the wing and in need of a meal. Some have hibernated as adults which explains the poor state of this Peacock Butterfly which Lockhart, who took the photo, said was one of the worst he has seen.
Others have just emerged from a pupa like this Green-veined White.
Both were seen on Friday at Dorman's Pool taking nactar from this wallflower. This is a garden escape which likes free-draining, poor soil which is just what there is over the industrial slag in many areas of Teesside. Wallflowers are good garden plants for insects as well as us and if grown in poor conditions will live for several years. Bright, single flowers, mostly scented, are just as good for wildlife as many of our wild flowers - sow seed now or buy plants in autumn.
Summer migrant birds are still arriving and some passing through. Whinchat, Wheatear and Yellow Wagtail have been seen this week and each day sees more Common Terns. We will soon be putting out the rafts, which will be used for nesting by the terns, now that the Black-headed Gulls have their nests on the islands.
Meanwhile the residents are in fine plumage, even if they are fluffing up their feathers in the cold wind of yesterday as Lockhart's shot of this Goldfinch shows.
And even on a rainy day like today it was good just to sit in the cafe and watch the Sand Martins busy investigating the holes in their 'architect designed' nesting bank.