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.