Brookfield Before Work

 I'm on back shift this week which gives me a little time before the daily drudge takes over. The weather was pretty warm and sunny this morning so I decided to have a stroll around Brookfield Plantation and see what insects might be about. On my way there I popped in to check on my local Peregrines and was rewarded with views of one.

Peregrine, Broad-bodied Chaser and Speckled Wood

Just after I arrived in the wood I saw my first county Large Skipper of the year though it was motoring along and I didn't get a photo. In the same area several Meadow Browns and a male Common Blue were on the wing while a female Broad-bodied Chaser was making sallies from her chosen perch. The rides were still shaded for the most part but this did not seem to bother the many Speckled Woods that fluttered along them. Some sunny patches had attracted a few Large Red and also some Azure Damselflies. In the central area where many rides intersect Black-tailed Skimmer and Emperor were noted before I began my return stroll.

Marbled White, Large Red Damsels and Black-tailed Skimmer

My first Marbled Whites of the year and also a Comma were seen and I managed to get a shot or two of a Large Skipper too as I walked back towards the entrance. As I neared the road I realised that I still had a little time before work beckoned and chose to look at the large pond at the bottom of the ravine. There was oodles of ode activity to observe with both Four-spotted Chasers and a Hairy Dragonfly being added to the day list. Plenty of both Large Red and Azure Damselflies were ovipositing and there was at least one Blue-tailed as well. Presiding over all was a male Emperor which all but ignored the occasional chaser that rose up to annoy it, I'd loved to have stayed and watched for longer but other less enjoyable matters had a prior claim on my time.

Large Skipper, Azure Damsels and Comma