Another Monday Barnwell Visit

A change of day did not bring a change in the weather and if anything there was even less sun than yesterday. Despite this unpromising outlook I took my usual stroll around Barnwell CP where I saw a few bits and bobs though nothing too exciting.

Mandarin and Emperor.

Barnwell must be one of the best places to see Mandarin Ducks in the county, today there were over ten and all much closer than the Blatherwycke hoards. Kingfishers were vocal again today as they moved along the river and the park. Two Siskins were a nice surprise as I don't normally see them in the Summer but I gather that small numbers have been on the move. Final decent bird was a Common Tern that visited several of the lakes before heading off down the river.

Scarce Chaser and Southern Hawker.

Few dragons were seen today and Common Darter was the only species that was represented by more than a singleton with about half a dozen present. A male Scarce Chaser and females of both Emperor and Southern Hawker were sitting out the windier spells of weather in amongst the vegetation. Rather more damselflies were on the wing with the cloud tolerant species such as Blue-tailed and Common Blue the most numerous. Banded Demoiselles were taking a leaf from the dragons' book and shelter amongst the nettles. The Red-eyeds were clearly made of sterner stuff as they took up station on lily pads. A single male Small Red-eyed was also seen and unlike last week's example I'm pretty sure of the identification.

Commas and Red Admiral.

Commas are emerging in very good numbers and I can't remember seeing so many while there were lots of Red Admirals too. The pristine condition of many of the latter suggests that they were locally born rather than migrants. More Gatekeepers were noted, fresh examples must rate as one of our most attractive brown butterflies. Other species seen today included Meadow Browns and Ringlets as well as lesser quantities of Large Skipper and Small Tortoiseshell. Whites seem to be doing well too as many Small and Green-veined were observed.

Gatekeeper and Small Red-eyed Damselfly.