Monday, June 26, 2017

Diary Update #30

⛅  Monday 26th June 2017  ~  With many trips back and forth to Liverpool more recently and so much to organise it was the first time I'd managed to venture out since Mum passed away on June 17th ~ RIP Mum a great innings at nearly 97!

Plenty of Red-eyed Damselfly on Goose Pool
The weather was perfect at Brandon Marsh today not overly hot, nice breeze and bright enough for many butterflies and odonata to be on the wing. I spend little time in the hides at this time of year, preferring to concentrate on the bugs and flora! That said what little time I did spend produced a couple of Hobby, PeregrineLittle Egret and a Lesser Whitethroat was singing across from the Ted Jury Hide!

It would seem that thus far this year it's been a great season for our nesting species, with lots of young birds throughout the reserve. Many butterflies to be found including a trio of Skipper with Large, Small and a single Essex recorded. Marbled Whites seemed abundant today with Comma and even Red Admiral in good numbers. Worryingly not a single Common Blue to be found anywhere on the reserve but I did manage my first Purple Hairstreak in the usual treeline along river meadow.

Pyramidal Orchid ~ Anacamptis pyramidalis
Last year saw the first Pyramidal Orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis on the reserve and today in almost the same location stood another example. There are plenty of Common Spotted Orchid to be found too, along with the odd Bee Orchid!

Ornate-tailed Digger Wasp ~ Carlton path!
Along the path to the Carlton Hide a half dozen Ornate-tailed Digger Wasps were very active. Thanks to Dave Mount, who identified these last year and passed the information on.

Dragonflies should get a mention today with Black-tailed Skimmer, Migrant Hawker and Brown Hawker noted!