A new nature reserve for me, one that was difficult to enter into the sat nav, but I did it, I ended up parking in the Common lane parking space, this is at the end of a very rutted track, so taking it steady along here would be advisable. I will probably try the one at the top side next timed Warblers
Why was I here, I was looking for the Variable Damselfly, on a Yorkshire site, the weather wasn’t good but should be ok for Damselflies maybe not so the Dragonflies.
After a good search, and getting used to a new spot, I started finding Damselflies, Blue tailed and Azure Damselflies at first, checking thru all the Azure’s I eventually came up with the Variable Damselfly, there were a few about but in low numbers. A nice surprise was coming across a few Red eyed Damselflies male and female and a lot closer than the ones seen at Old Moor.
Other highlights here were Golden bloomed Grey Longhorn Beetle, lots of Helophilus pendulus Hoverflies, I also think I kicked up an Emperor Dragonfly that was in the grass. Bird Highlights were Marsh Harrier, Reed Warblers, Cetti’s Warbler and a fly thru Hobby.
After Broomfleet I went onto North Cave Wetlands, which is only a few miles away. There was no sign in the weather improving which again showed in the insects I was finding at North Cave. The Damselflies seen at North Cave were Azure Damselflies, Blue tailed Damselflies, Common Blue Damselfly and Red eyed Damselfly. Other highlights at North Cave were Scorpion Fly, Volucella pellucens Hoverfly, Silver Ground Carpet Moth, Yellow Shell Moth. Bird Highlights at North Cave were Cetti’s Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Swifts, House Martin and Sand Martin
Golden bloomed Grey Longhorn Beetle
Red eyed Damselfly ♂
Red eyed Damselfly ♀
Variable Damselfly ♂
Willow Warbler
Huddsbirder 