I was stopping at a Bed and Breakfast in Great Ryburgh, near Fakenham, and the River Wensum runs through it, a chalk stream, one of the Damselflies I wanted to see this holiday was a Banded Demoiselle, I put two and two together, fortunately I got permission to wonder over one of the local farmers fields, on a nice sunny morning, for a change.
On my way down to the stream thru the fields I saw plenty of Swollen thighed Beetles on Ox eye Daisies and Buttercups, hoverflies included plenty of Helophiles pendulus, a Mother Shipton Moth was a nice surprise, Blue tailed Damselflies along with Common Blue Damselflies were common in the field, after a few wrong turns to get down to the stream, I finally found a Banded Demoiselle, I was on the right tracks.
After a further ten minutes or so I finally found the stream and plenty of Banded Demoiselle’s, I settled in to a comfortable position and watched and photographed for a few hours, walking away with a few hundred photos on the card and a smile.
I was back, it was proving to be a different week to what I had planned, thanks mainly to the weather, so I returned to my favourite place in Norfolk.
The day remained cloudy and with a cold wind, which resulted in me seeing no Butterflies at all today, a few Damselflies were about Azure, Common Blue and Blue tailed, alas no larger Dragonflies today, so it turned mainly into a birding day.
Heading out onto the reserve, I moved around the Dragonfly loop first, seeing nothing more than I’ve already mentioned, I did find other insects, Hoverflies, Eristalis balteatus, Helophilus pendulus and a Anasimyia contracta. Other insects were a Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus} and a few Potter Wasps.
The bird species virtually remained the same as previous days, I think mainly due to the time of year, I did make the effort to go down to the beach area, in doing so I found a good number of Bar tailed Godwit along with Knot and Turnstone, hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.
Bird List : Avocet, Bar tailed Godwit, Blackbird, Blackcap, Black headed Gull, Black tailed Godwit, Canada Goose, Cetti’s Warbler, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Common Tern, Dunnock, Gadwall, Goldfinch, Greylag Goose, Herring Gull, Kestrel, Knot, Linnet, Long tailed Tit, Mallard, Marsh Harrier, Mediterranean Gull, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Pied Wagtail, Red Kite, Redshank, Reed Bunting, Reed Warbler, Ringed Plover, Robin, Sedge Warbler, Shelduck, Shoveler, Song Thrush, Starling, Stock Dove, Swallow, Swift, Tufted Duck, Turnstone, Woodpigeon, Wren
Damselflies : Azure Damselfly, Blue tailed Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly,
Day 2, Titchwell Marsh, always feels like coming home when I visit Titchwell, plan of attack today was to do the Dragonfly loop first then onto the reserve for the birdy part.
The day again was cloudy, with the occasional sun break, but it felt more like October/Novembrer than June, with the temperatures and the wind, not to be disheartened, I got my gear together and off I went exploring.
It was full stop, I hadn’t really left the car park, when I was distracted by a Robins and Blackbirds, these birds were so close it was hard not to stop, I ended up taking a few photos. After a while I moved on to the hub, to check in, and then onto the reserve, where I was soon distracted again, but this time by a young Wren and Blackbirds. I tore myself away and headed off onto the reserve and the Fen Trail.
Along the Fen Trail near the screen, I came across Reed Warblers, the sun had now come out a bit and I found a Wall Brown Butterfly resting on the bramble patch, Meadow Brown and Common Blue Butterflies, along with Common Blue and Blue tailed Damselflies. The sun decided on hiding again which resulted in me finding little else, so I decided an a lunch break.
After my lunch break, I headed down towards the see, along the East Bank footpath, the sun had once again come out and I stopped at a nettle patch, finding Azure Damselfly and soon after a Hairy Dragonfly, which finally settled for a while, great, photos galore. I finally made it to the Island Hide, after getting distracted again, this time it was a Reed Warbler, this one was in the bushes near to the footpath.
At the hide, I viewed, Black headed Gulls, Avocets mainly so decided on moving, and make my way down to the Parrinder Hide. There seemed to be more action from this hide, here I saw Little Tern, Common Tern, Meadow Pipit, Linnet, Ringed Plover, Red Kite, Buzzard, Marsh Harrier and Mediterranean Gull.
Finally I made it down to the beach, down here I saw Oystercatcher, and Black tailed Godwits, not much down here so I had a final walk around the Dragonfly loop, seeing little for my efforts
My Wildlife holiday started at a new site for me, in Lincolnshire, Messingham Sand Quarry run by the Lincolnshire Wildlfe Trust.
I arrived at 11am, to cloudy skies and a temperature of 10° C, it wasn’t going to be a good start for insect hunting. Having got me gear together I set off from the small car park, which is found at the end of a small track, after going thru the gate at the road side.
My first sighting was of the Marsh Orchids, the sound of Cetti’s Warblers, Blackbird and Reed Warblers. I eventually found a place where the sun had broke thru and found, Azure Damselflies, Blue tailed Damselflies and a couple of Scorpion Flies, Volucella pellucens and Helophilus pendulus hoverflies.
Having wondered about a bit, I eventually came across a hide, Duck Hide, from here I saw Gadwall, Mallard, Shelduck, Black headed Gulls, Mute Swan and a Common Tern, nothing much else to see so I moved on. I didn’t come across anything else of note so I made my way down into Norfolk.
My next stop was also a new site for me, East Winch Common, a lowland heath run by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust. The car park is very small, opposite side of the road from the reserve, a good site for Scarce Emerald Damselfly and Slo Worm, but I was having a bad day by the looks of things and didn’t see much here, only very brief views of an Emperor Dragonfly.
After this I travelled to Fakenham (Great Ryburgh) and my B&B for four nights The Dower House, then I had food in Walsingham at the Black Lion, then a late nights stroll at RSPB Titichwell
Messingham Bird List : Blackbird, Blackcap, Black headed Gull, Cetti’s Warbler, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Common Tern, Gadwall, Great Tit, Mallard, Mute Swan, Reed Warbler, Sand Martin, Shelduck, Tufted Duck, Willow Warbler, Woodpigeon, Wren (18)
Dragonfly List : Azure Damselfly, Blue tailed Damselfly (2)
I was back at Old Moor, feels like I’m making it home at the moment, this time once again for the Dragonflies and Damselflies. I arrived at around 10am and once again a similar day as last weeks visit, I had arrived, fortunately, when the sun was shining, so first things first, I got the gear together and off I went.
As always of course I look around the car park verges, as good things can also be found in a car park, there were a few Azure Damselflies and I also found a couple of Common Blue Damselflies. On then to the main reserve, but I always look at the smaller pools near the entrance, as good things can also turn up here, but nothing today. The next step was the Visitor Centre pools, her I also found Azure Damselflies, Blue tailed Damselflies and also Tortoise Thistle Beetles. On then to the left hand pools, but a Brimstone Butterfly got my attention, we played chase around the garden, until it settled and I could manage a couple of shots, I also found a Semaphore Fly kin the same area.
I eventually got to the stepping stones ponds and due to the sun being out, I found a few Four Spotted Chasers, alas nothing else in this area, so I decided on dinner at this point.
On entry back to the reserve, after dinner, I was checked out by a young Robin at the hub, amazing how soon they become friendly, must be a DNA thing. So on then to the next pool, the Toyota one, and here I found Red eyed Damselflies, Blue tailed Damselflies and Azure Damselflies.
Next step was down onto the Green Lane loop, it also appeared quiet down here too, but with much searching I found a Soldier Beetle [Cantharis rustica]and also another Speckled Bush Cricket. On the way out of the reserve, near the visitor centre pool, I caught sight of a large fly, turned out to be a Horsefly and I think its called a Hairy-legged Horsefly [Hybomitra bimaculata], a nice fly to see, but can give a nasty bit, also needs examination to bring to species, which I wasn’t going to do.
That was my day at Old Moor on another insect day, warm weather would make the day better.
On the way home I was in two minds as to whether to drop into Bullcliffe NR to try and find Dingy Skipper Butterfly, it wasn’t till I reached the roundabout near by that I made my mind up, I dropped in. It was a difficult search, I was finding nothing on my first loop, it just seems at the moment no matter where you go, there is just a lack of insects about, however things changed on my second time around.
I caught sight of something in my peripheral vision, it had yellow on the sides, I immediately thought Broad Bodied Chaser, unfortunately I lost it, and then as if by magic, it landed on the bramble patch closest to me, and it was very obliging, it was the female of the species, I watched it for a long time, hunting and coming back to the perch, cleaning and just chilling.
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
Well the day looked promising when I arrived at Old Moor, I was hopeful for some insect action today. I started at the Visitor Centre pool, here there were plenty of Azure Damselflies blobbing about on the surrounding vegetation, along with a few Blue tailed Damselflies, they weren’t very active due to the weather, it was overcast, with a bit of wind, which makes taking photos harder. Along with the Damselflies around the pond there were a few Hairy Shieldbugs. I moved on then to the other ponds, I had little luck around here only finding a single Dingy SkipperButterfly, so after that I decided on having dinner and on doing on the walk back to the car park, I came across a Peacock Butterfly and a Common Blue Damselfly.
After dinner I decided on a walk around the Green Lane Loop, where there seemed to be a little bit more action, there were a lot more Blue tailed Damselflies down here, along with a few Azure Damselflies, no butterflies. Swollen thighed Beetles were enjoying sheltering on the Ox-eye daises, whilst looking at these I also came across a Common Malachite Beetle, also down here I found a Tiger Cranefly and it wasn’t till I passed the Wader Scrape Hide that I found a new Cranefly species for me, a black and red one, with black winged markings, one I believe to be a Ptychoptera contaminata, a nice ending to what was a very dull day, I didn’t find what i was hoping for but nature showed me what it wanted me to see
Back down to RSPB Old Moor, for another go at the insects, but due to the weather I didn’t have much hope in seeing a lot, the conditions were, overcast and cloudy, at the end of the day it was a day out in nature.
Gear together and off I set, my first insect contact turned out to be a new sighting for me in the form of a Dock Bug, located near the first pond, before you get to the hub, on the left side, it was resting on the Ox-eye daisies.
My next contact was at the Visitor Centre pond with lots of Azure Damselflies, resting up on the vegetation surrounding the pond, closer inspect of the pond reeds revealed a large Exuvia, this was probably Emperor Dragonfly. Moving on I saw a couple of guys taking photos near the reed bed, I had to be nosy, it paid off, they were looking at two Dragonflies that were rested up, one a Four spotted Chaser the other was an Immature Male Black tailed Skimmer. Looking around the other ponds I found little elde of note, no butterflies either, there were a few Swollen thighed Beetles about, especially on the Ox-eye daises.
I decided on dinner and then doing the Green Lane Loop after, it was about 2pm when I started back on the reserve, catching sight of Hairy Shieldbugs around the visitor centre pond, with the Azure Damselflies as well, but this time I did find a couple of Large Red Damselflies and Blue tailed Damselflies.
On then to the Green Lane Loop and all was quiet, my first insect find were more Azure Damselflies, second was a Speckled Bush Cricket, tiny things these, it wasn’t in a good position for photos so I moved on eventually finding a better positioned one near to the Wader Scrape hide
Dragonfly List ; Azure Damselfly, Black tailed Skimmer, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Four-spotted Chaser, Large Red Damselfly
That time of year again, I turn my attention to the insects and away from the birds a bit, today’s weather wasn’t the best start, but the season was slipping away, due to the awful UK weather, I was trying Bullcliffe NR toady.
On arrival the birds did make themselves known, with calling Goldfinch, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, and eventually a Garden Warbler, but my attention today was Butterflies.
The first area I knew produced my first target species, a single Small Heath. Moving on then to the second area I had in mind, for my next target, but this produced nothing, on then to the final area and my first encounter was with a single Dingy Skipper, this was also the area that I found the Garden Warbler in.
A couple of Moths species were seen, a Straw DotMoth and a first for me in a White-pinion Spotted Moth
The day started early at Rutland Water, on arrival we headed straight out to the Bittern Hide, it was now 8:15am, on entering the hide we found out that the Savi’s Warbler had been showing well, we settled in.We waited four hours, the Savi’s was not playing ball, it was heard ‘Reeling’ a few times in those fours hours, those that did get a view was very, very brief.
In those four hours there were other birds to see, Osprey gave good views has they came by, two birds on occasion, we had excellent views of Cuckoo, coming in close to the hide, Marsh Harrier came by on a couple of occasion, there was a a Reed Warbler continually calling next to the hide for all of those four hours. Other highlights too and from the hide were Sedge Warbler, Willow Warbler, Common Tern, Swift and Sand Martin.
The plan was to see the Savi’s Warbler, then travel to the Great Reed Warbler site then on to the American Golden Plover. Getting back to the car, I decided on a toilet stop before travelling onwards, on arrival back at the car, then my colleague broke the news of a MEGA in Whitburn, an Indigo Bunting, a three and a half hours travel away, North, he needed it for is UK list, it would be a lifer for me.
It was thanks to a person in the area, that people got to see this bird as it was first ID on their bird feeders. They let lots of people into their house to be able to view this visitor, we didn’t see it from here but had views from other gardens nearby.
It wasn’t an exciting day, but there was a lifer at the end of, alas no pictures.
