Emerald Isle

Phil, Alan and I headed south today for a visit to Canvey Island where we hoped to catch up with some interesting dragons and damsels. While we didn't manage to connect with everything that we wanted to see it was still a good trip.

Scarce Emeralds.

One of the species that we had targeted, Scarce Emerald, completely failed to live up to its name as many were seen including several pairs in cop. We didn't see any Southern Migrant Hawkers but this may have been due to how early it is in their season. Dragons that we did manage to see were Four-spotted and Broad-bodied Chasers, Black-tailed Skimmer, Emperor and Ruddy Darter. The latter species appears to be enjoying a good year with many being noted. Few damsels other than the emeralds were noted though we did observe a few Common Blues and I saw what was likely to have been an immature Small Red-eyed Damselfly.

Emperor and Ruddy Darter.

It was a good day for butterflies with the highlight being a Clouded Yellow that was initially seen by Phil but eventually showed to Alan and I too. Phil also saw a couple of Painted Ladies and a Red Admiral while several Large Whites could have been migrants too. Perhaps not surprisingly Essex Skippers were quite common though a few Small were seen as well but many skippers had to go unidentified. A couple of late Common Blues were hanging on while Phil saw two Holly Blues. One of the most obvious butterflies present today and also one of the most attractive was Marbled White, there seemed to be lots around. Also common were Meadow Brown and Small Heath and other species seen in much smaller numbers were Small White, Ringlet and Comma.

Clouded Yellow and Essex Skipper.

Nothing too interesting was seen birdwise though Alan saw a brace of Green Sandpipers and we all saw a flypast by a Great White Egret.

With a bit of time left before we had to go home we went along to Bower's Marsh for a short visit. Best thing here were a couple of White-lettered Hairstrteaks which sadly were a tad too distant for any good photos. Not too much else to report apart from a Broad-bodied Chaser and a quantity of Avocets on the marsh itself.

Broad-bodied Chaser and White-lettererd Hairstreak.

Heatwave

Another half day from work let me have more time to enjoy the hottest day of the year so far. Some reports have been filtering in of an influx of Red-veined Darters into the UK and I wandered over to Priors Hall on the off chance that some might be present in the area. Not for the first time recently I didn't manage to achieve my main goal but once again there was ample compensation in other ways.

Marbled White and Common Blue.

Marbled Whites had increased greatly since my previous visit and they were one of the commoner species seen today, Meadow Browns and Small Heaths were also present in very good numbers. Once again there were some Painted Ladies to enjoy as well as some Small Tortoiseshells, the torts appear to be have a good new brood emergence. Skippers provided the butterfly highlights today with a year first Essex being joined by half a dozen equally new Small Skippers, many had to remain unidentified as they whizzed along as if supercharged by the hot sunshine. Other species recorded today included Small and Large White, Speckled Wood, Large Skipper and Common Blue. At least three of the latter were seen and although they looked tatty they still seemed to have plenty of energy left.

Pair of Smalls, White and Skipper.

Of the dragons seen it was Four-spotted Chasers that were the commonest with some present on all the ponds that I visited. Another species occurring in good numbers was Black-tailed Skimmer with a double figure count recorded. Three Broad-bodied Chasers were a nice find, I always seem to struggle to find this species even though it's not that rare. Plenty of darters were emerging with lots of tenerals seeming to make their first flights. I could only identify Ruddy Darters though there were quite a few of them. Rounding off today's dragon list was Emperor with at least four present on site.

Four-spotted Chaser and Black-tailed Skimmer.

No surprises amongst the damsels though a Large Red Damselfly was decent, they're becoming much scarcer now as the season progresses. Two Banded Demoiselles were wanderers from nearby streams, there always seems to be a few visits from this attractive species every year.

Broad-bodied Chaser and Ruddy Darter.

My bird highlight was Little Ringed Plover but this pales into insignificance compared to Alan Shorrock's Quail that he heard calling on several occasions in the northern part of the site. Had it not been so hot I might have summoned the energy to wander up for a listen but sadly I just couldn't manage it after my four thirty alarm this morning.

Harry's Game

Another glorious sunny day coupled with a half day's holiday from work was enough to persuade me to venture out again in search of some nature. Given the time of year I thought that I would try Harry's Park Wood to see whether any Purple Emperors had emerged yet. Sadly there was no sign of the purple poseurs with the disgusting taste in food and there were no Silver-washed Fritillaries either. Despite this double dip there were enough high spots to make the whole thing worthwhile.

Painted Lady and Red Admiral.

Not for the first time Painted Ladies featured strongly, as well as a drive by ticked from the X4 as it passed through Weldon there was a double figure count in the wood itself. Red Admirals put in a strong showing too, it was hard to judge exactly how many were present as they were very mobile but they were seen throughout the wood. New brood Small Tortoiseshells and Commas continue to show well, their fresh colours making them look stunning. Best butterfly of the day was White Admiral, three were seen and these included one that came down on to the path.

White Admiral and Black Hairstreak.

Number two amongst the star performers was a Black Hairstreak nectaring on bramble flowers nearer the Brigstock end of the wood. It was in exactly the same spot as one last year though this one looked much fresher than last year's tatty individual. A few Ringlets and Speckled Woods were outnumbered by the many Meadow Browns on site, once again they were the commonest species seen today. For the first time in a while some whites put in an appearance, singles of Small, Large and Brimstone being noted. Finally at least half a dozen Large Skippers were seen, there smaller relatives should be showing soon.

Meadow Brown and Large Skipper.

Of the other wildlife observed today two Ravens were the pick though a Ruddy Darter was a nice find on the edge of the wood.

White Admiral (again) and Ruddy Darter.

More White-leggeds at Weldon.

With plenty of sunshine after work I decided to make the best of it and head down to Weldon. I wanted to check whether any Small Red-eyed Damselflies had emerged here yet and was able to confirm that none have.

Trio of dragons.

There were plenty of their larger cousins, Red-eyeds, present around the pond though they were outnumbered by the aptly named Common Blues. Small numbers of Azures were noted though no Variables, the other damsel at the pond being Blue-tailed. A male Emperor was patrolling his territory and no doubt ensured that the Four-spotted Chasers and Black-tailed Skimmers were keeping at least one eye out for him before making any move of their own. Ringlets are certainly on the increase and a number were feeding on bramble flowers, lesser numbers of Meadow Browns were noted. One Small Heath, a Marbled White, Brown Argus and a Comma rounded off the butterflies seen around the pond. Highlight amongst the birds was a Kingfisher, June and July are often good months for for seeing this colourful species.

Brown Argus, Comma and Ringlet.

Two Red Admirals were a welcome sight next to the stream as they've been a little on the scarce side this summer so far. Near the weir an immature Ruddy Darter was using a hawthorn twig for a perch. Although no further dragons were seen here there were three White-legged Damselflies hanging out among the nettles along with rather more Banded Demoiselles. I then walked from this stretch of stream along to the section closer to the church. Along the way some Red Valerian was again attracting a couple of Painted Ladies and four or five Small Tortoiseshells.

Red Admiral and Banded Demoiselle.

A further three White-legged Damsels were seen near the church as well as more Banded Demoiselles. A Peacock was my first for some time while another Red Admiral rounded off the day's spotting.

Painted Lady, White-legged Damsel and Peacock.

Wicksteed in the Wet

I braved an X4 trip in the wrong direction this morning as I wanted to pop into Wicksteed Park and see what dragons or damsels were about. Unfortunately the weather forecast proved to be somewhat optimistic and instead of sunny spells I had clouds with an occasional spot or two of rain. Despite the dreary conditions it turned out to be OK and I caught up with one or two interesting things.

Emperor and Common Darter.

Not too many dragons today with Emperors being the most obvious, at least three males and a female did not seem at all phased by the grotty weather with the former patrolling their territories and the latter ovipositing. About half a dozen teneral darters were seen but I could only identify one, that did turn out to be my first county Common for this year however so I was happy enough with that.

Whole lotta love, Blue-tailed and Common Blue Damsels.

Common Blues were living up to their name and like the Emperors did not appear to be put off by the conditions. Both Red-eyeds and Blue-tailed remained active but I only saw one Azure and no Variables at all. The only other damsels observed today was Banded Demoiselle, three or four were sheltering in nettles next to the River Ise.

Large Skipper and Meadow Brown.

Commonest butterfly today was Meadow Brown but browns are often active in dull conditions when others are not, a single Ringlet was also noted. We really are enjoying a bit of a purple patch with Painted Ladies and two were seen today trying to draw warmth from patches of bare ground. Of the other species noted Large Skipper was the commonest with four or five seen, there were singles of Comma and Small Tortoiseshell too.

Painted Lady and Comma.

Nothing too exciting on the bird front, a pair of Common Terns were fishing around the park and at least three pairs of Great Crested Grebes are nesting.

Great Crested Grebe.

Skimmers, Darters and Chasers

I decided to visit Priors Hall today as Sunday's is the only day that I can sneak in when nobody is working. While sunshine was a little rationed there was more than enough to get the insects moving.

Small Heath and Meadow Brown.

At the beginning of my visit it was a little cloudy and only the brown butterflies were active, Meadow Browns and Small Heaths were the commonest though a single Marbled White and several Speckled Woods were noted too. Cinnabars seem to be having a good season and good numbers were observed.

Common Blue and Four-spotted Chaser.

Dragons and damsels had a slow start with Common Blues and Blue-tailed appearing first being joined by a Four-spotted Chaser a little later. Four-spots were the commonest dragon seen today and once the sun was out there was a lot of activity. A male Hairy Dragonfly may be my last of the season, I don't often see them this late in the season. Black-tailed Skimmers on the other hand are only just beginning their season and there were at least half a dozen on site including an ovipositing female. An Emperor was patrolling one of the ponds, their numbers should begin to build if weather permits. Many darters were emerging, at least twenty, and all the ones that I was able to check were Ruddies. These were my first for the year and I was able to get several half decent pictures.

Black-tailed Skimmer and Ruddy Darter.

Best damselfly seen today was a single Small Red-eyed which was a first for the year, sadly I couldn't get a picture but I'll pop back to Weldon this week and hopefully see them there. Banded Demoiselles are scarce but fairly regular visitors to Priors so a male was a welcome if not totally unexpected sighting. Other damsels seen today were Azure and Red-eyed with small numbers of both present.

Painted Lady and Ringlet.

This Summer looks as if it's going to be a good one for Painted Ladies and I saw four today, a single Small Tortoiseshell was also observed. Several Large Skippers were seen today and so too was a Common Blue. Ringlet numbers are on the rise and there was a decent number around the ponds.

Blue-tailed Damselfly and Large Skipper.

Away from insects I saw at least two Fallow Deer and also a Brown Hare while a good quantity of froglets were hopping around the edges of some of the ponds. The most interesting bird find was a duck Gadwall that I accidently flushed off a clutch of eggs, happily I didn't squish any of the brood so hopefully she will come back. This is the first confirmed breeding attempt that I'm aware of in the Corby area though I've suspected it in the past. Amongst the birds in the quarry there were the usual Sand Martins and at least one Little Ringed Plover while the lake had a drake Pochard and a Great Crested Grebe.

Froglet.