Mad Dogs And Englishmen

 Our mini heat wave continued today with temperatures even higher if anything than yesterday. I decided to pop over to Priors Hall hoping to see some ode activity and I wasn't disappointed. By the time that I'd thrown in the towel and got out of the heat I'd seen six species of dragons and eight of damsels.

Ruddy (top) and Common darters

Highlight amongst the dragons was my county first for the year Ruddy Darter, a cracking male was showing well and posed nicely for some pics. Common Darters were emerging in small numbers and I saw about half a dozen taking their first flights. The commonest species seen today was Four-spotted Chaser with a decent number present around the ponds where they spent a lot of time tussling with each other and also some Black-tailed Skimmers. Leaving such boorish behaviour to the proles were several male Emperors, at least two females were also seen ovipositing. Final dragon on the list was a male Brown Hawker though it was difficult to confirm whether there were any more or just one wandering individual.

Females of Emperor and Black-tailed Skimmer.

Best damselfly was a male Common Emerald which came courtesy of a newly arrived Alan Shorrock and his knowledge of the site. A visit to one of their favoured ponds delivered the goods though he was in amongst the sedge stems and I couldn't get a pic. Second highlight was a newly emerged Willow Emerald, its club like abdomen revealing it to be a female. Several Banded Demoiselles and Small Red-eyed Damselflies were decent sightings and joined Common Blue, Blue-tailed, Azure and Red-eyed Damselflies on the list.

Willow Emerald and Marbled White.

No surprises amongst today's butterflies, high numbers of Marbled Whites were seen and there was also a high total of Small Skippers on the wing. Other notable sightings included a male Brimstone while several Six-spotted Burnet Moths were seen. Of the other wildlife noted a Common Lizard was the best, no real birds of note though a Yellow Wagtail passed overhead.

Long-tailed Tit, Reed Warbler and Chiffchaff.