Back To Priors

 I began this morning at Eyebrook Reservoir in the company of Shozzer where we spent a couple of hours looking through a selection of waders and other birds. At Sam's Dyke there was a Green Sandpiper and half a dozen Yellow Wagtails while the island held a Yellow-legged Gull and a fly by Osprey. At the inflow we failed to find the Little Stint which had been present for a few days and it looks as if the bird may have moved on. What was showing was a group of five Dunlin, a Greenshank, three Ruff and another Yellow-legged Gull. While standing in the bunker we were treated to views of two Kingfishers flying past. From the Rutland bank we saw a Black-tailed Godwit and after some time the reported Avocet. The morning was by now nice and warm and we went off to Priors Hall for another crack at the Southern Migrant Hawker.

Eyebrook Selection

We arrived on site to find half a dozen other people looking out for the hawker and both their and our efforts were amply rewarded. The Southern Migrant gave great views both in flight and perched and most of us managed to get some respectable shots. Other species included Migrant and Brown Hawkers as well as several darters and a Banded Demoiselle. After a bit of time spent talking to Phil and Paul we moved on to another pond where we saw half a dozen or so Emerald Damselflies. Soon afterwards we headed off to the Samuel Lloyd where several celebratory pints were downed. Interestingly a little after I arrived home I learnt that our county recorder had photographed a Scarce Emerald at the same pond as the SMH yesterday but that the I.D had only been clinched this morning. Looks as if another visit to Priors may well be on the cards!

Southern Migrant Hawker, Emerald Damselfly and Ruddy Darter