Tag Archives: nature

RSPB Titchwell Marsh

Posted on June 11, 2024 | Leave a comment

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

Bird List : Avocet, Blackbird, Blackcap, Black headed Gull, Black tailed Godwit, Buzzard, Canada Goose, Carrion Crow, Cetti’s Warbler, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Common Tern, Coot, Cormorant, Dunnock, Gadwall, Grey Heron, Greylag Goose, Herring Gull, Jackdaw, Linnet, Little Egret, Little Tern, Long tailed Tit, Magpie, Mallard, Marsh Harrier, Meadow Pipit, Mediterranean Gull, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Oystercatcher, Pied Wagtail, Pochard, Red Kite, Redshank, Reed Bunting, Reed Warbler, Ringed Plover, Robin, Sand Martin, Shelduck, Shoveler, Starling, Stock Dove, Swallow, Swift, Tufted Duck, Willow Warbler, Woodpigeon, Wren

Butterfly List : Common Blue, Meadow Brown, Wall

Dragonfly List : Azure Damselfly, Blue tailed Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly, Hairy Dragonfly

Common Blue Butterfly

Hairy Dragonfly

Reed Warbler

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Messingham Sand Quarry

Posted on June 10, 2024 | Leave a comment

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)

Scorpion Fly

Azure Damselfly

Volucella pellucens Hoverfly

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RSPB Old Moor

Posted on June 6, 2024 | Leave a comment

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.

Soldier Beetle [Cantharis rustica]

Large Marsh Horsefly [Tabanus autumnalis]

Broad Bodied Chaser ♀

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Broomfleet Washlands

Posted on May 31, 2024 | Leave a comment

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

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RSPB Old Moor

Posted on May 30, 2024 | Leave a comment

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 Skipper Butterfly, 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

Cranefly [Ptychoptera contaminata]

Malachite Beetle

Swollen thighed Beetle

Blue tailed Damselfly

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RSPB Old Moor

Posted on May 24, 2024 | 4 comments

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

Black tailed Skimmer

Four spotted Chaser

Dock Bug

Speckled Bush Cricket

Hairy Shieldbug

Azure Damselfly

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Bullcliffe NR

Posted on May 21, 2024 | Leave a comment

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 Dot Moth and a first for me in a White-pinion Spotted Moth

Dingy Skipper Butterfly

Straw Dot Moth

White-pinion Spotted Moth

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Rutland Water and Beyond

Posted on May 18, 2024 | Leave a comment

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.

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Padley Gorge

Posted on May 17, 2024 | Leave a comment

A very early start to arrive at the Gorge for 6:30am, the first noted was a calling Cuckoo from the nearby moor, I wasn’t heading that way, I was going down into the gorge itself, this was my first time here.

I was guessing where I was going, I chose the right hand path and headed down, I was looking for the Padley specials, namely the Pied Flycatcher and Redstart. I had parked up at the Ice Cream car park.

First encountered birds were Blackbird, Song Thrush, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Robin, Blackcap, and Wren, on my way down into the gorge, no Flycatcher’s or Redstart on this leg, so I headed back up.

The return journey held little reward, with Blue Tit, Crow, Treecreeper, Chaffinch and a heard only Pied Flycatcher. I found out later at Wyming Brook that the Pied Flycatchers nest boxes are near the top of the gorge and a little way in, about a dozen of them, try again next year.

I moved on from Padley Gorge to my next destination Wyming Brook, target here was Wood Warbler, I was having a bad morning, I drew a blank on this species too 😔. The species I did encounter were, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Green veined White Butterfly, Orange tip Butterfly, and a Silver Y Moth.

I was drawing a blank and needed a pick up, I thought Dragonflies and Old Moor 😊, I headed off, it turned out to be a good move. On arrival at Old Moor the weather had changed to warm and sunny.

I got my gear together and headed o to the reserve, stopping at the small pond near the visitor centre first, here I picked up on lots of, Azure Damselflies and a couple of Large Red Damselflies, moving further into the reserve, I decide on taking the the left path and to do a loop on these pools. I encountered the same damselflies here, plenty of Azure and a few Large Red, there was also about half a dozen Four Spotted Chasers and a single Hairy Dragonfly, a nice surprise was a Dingy Skipper Butterfly, I found nothing new moving around the rest of the pools. I moved onto the Toyota platform and here I found a lot more Azure Damselflies and also Red-eyed Damselflies.

My next move was to do the Green Lane loop and here I found a few Blue-tailed Damselflies along with a few Common Blue Butterflies. I decided now on having an Ice Cream, I headed back out to the visitor centre, on my way I saw Orange tip, Brimstone Butterflies also a Mint Moth.

Lastly, after the ice cream, I decided on one last look around the pools on the left side, a good move, I finished the day on my favourite Dragonfly, the Broad Bodied Chaser. 😊

Padley Gorge List : Blackcap, Blue Tit, Carrion Crow, Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, Cuckoo, Nuthatch, Robin, Song Thrush, Treecreeper, Willow Warbler, Wren

Wyming Brook List : Blackcap, Chaffinch, Great Tit, Robin, Song Thrush, Willow Warbler, Woodpigeon, Wren, Green veined White Butterfly, Orange tip Butterfly, Silver Y Moth

Old Moor Lists :

Butterflies : Brimstone, Common Blue, Dingy Skipper, Green veined White, Orange tip

Dragonflies: Azure Damselfly, Blue tailed Damselfly, Broad Bodied Chaser, Four spotted Chaser, Hairy Dragonfly, Large Red Damselfly, Red eyed Damselfly

Sliver Y Moth

Blue tailed Damselfly

Broad Bodied Chaser

Common Blue Butterfly

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Pugneys

Posted on May 14, 2024 | Leave a comment

A late afternoon visit to Pugneys Country Park, first impressions on arriving was that it was very quiet. The first birds seen around the Jetty/Cafe area were Black headed Gull, Mallard, Canada Goose, and Great Crested Grebe being the most notable, it was quiet.

I walked around to the nature reserve hide, it was now open or I thought until I entered the hide, there was a lot of fire damage to the hide, I didn’t stop long, it was apparent that I shouldn’t be in there, I couldn’t get my head around, WHY, why do this, why ruin other peoples pleasures? and put their lives in danger in doing so

After the upset, I carried on my walk thru the small wood out towards the main lake hide, Blackbirds were about along with Blue Tit, Crow, Magpie, Wren, and in the nearby reeds were Reed Warblers, chattering away.

Back on the main path a flock of House Martins were hawking over the tops of the trees, the main lake hide had now been fixed, fire damage to the floor, but there wasn’t a lot to see from here, a few Sand Martins were present, along with Herring Gulls, Cormorants, and Tufted Duck.

Moving from the hide to the seat opposite, this overlooks the Nature Reserve Lake, from here I could see the Tern Raft, and here I saw three Common Terns, these were nicely flying around and landing back on the raft occasionally giving me good views of these birds, also seen from here were Teal.

Walking down to the beach a Male Reed Bunting was seen, giving its presence away by its calling, finally around at the kids playground was a good size flock of Swifts hawking low over the trees.

Birds Seen: Black headed Gull, Blue Tit, Canada Goose, Carrion Crow, Chiffchaff, Common Tern, Coot, Cormorant, Dunnock, Great Crested Grebe, Great Tit, Herring Gull, House Martin, Kestrel, Lesser Black backed Gull, Magpie, Mallard, Mute Swan, Oystercatcher, Pheasant, Pied Wagtail, Reed Bunting, Reed Warbler, Sand Martin, Swallow, Swift, Teal, Tufted Duck, Willow Warbler, Woodpigeon, Wren (31)

Robin in Full Song

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