AFTERNOON OF DRAGONFLIES-BEN'S YARD-ELY-CAMBRIDGESHIRE

On the way to Norfolk news broke that two Lesser Emperor Dragonflies and a Vagrant Emperor had been seen near Ely in Cambridgeshire,so I called in on the way.When I pulled up in the car park two lads had also called in to see them,so I stuck with them around the reserve.

Ben's Yard

The following Dragonflies were seen as we walked around the reserve:

Common Darter

Black Tailed Skimmer

Broad-Bodied Chaser

Emperor Dragonfly

When we reached the north end of the reserve a Lesser Emperor Dragonfly emerged from the long grass and landed not far from us 

The Dragonfly Hunters

Lesser Emperor Dragonfly 

As you can see the Lesser Emperor showed really well and as we carried on walking the second one showed up flying around with the Vagrant but they just wouldn't settle and only flight views were obtained,they then flew high over the reedbed and after a frustrating hour they could't be found again even though other people were now turning up on site.

I had had enough now and still had a good two hours drive ahead of me so I started to walk back to the car.A Common Blue Damselfly and Common Blue Butterfly were seen on the way back.

 Common Blue Damselfly

Common Blue

Bent's yard is a really nice reserve and I got great views of Ely cathedral on the way back to the car.

IRON AGE HILL FORT WARHAM CAMP-NORFOLK

I visited the Iron Age Fort at Warham Camp today to try and see my first Chalkhill Blue Butterfly.

After a good walk around the site, it didn't take long before I saw my first one. 

I only saw three individual Chalk Hill blues on site, probably due to being a few weeks early. In Norfolk, this is the sole colony of Chalkhill Blue butterflies. They were ‘introduced’ here some years ago, much to the displeasure of the ‘authorities’. However, they are doing well and have had no adverse impact on other species; it's 65 miles to their nearest kin at Devil’s Dyke near Newmarket.

Anyway, I was happy seeing this species of butterfly, and it was a beautiful sight for an evening walk.

HIGH BROWN FRITILLARY-FARRER'S ALLOTMENT-WHITBARROW-CUMBRIA

Jenna and I visited Farrer's allotment in Cumbria today to see our first High Brown Fritillary butterflies.

The limestone cliff of White Scar faces south

On arrival at the top of the hill, we entered Farrer's allotment, and it didn't take long before we saw our first fritillary sighting; it was a Dark Green Fritillary.

Farrer's allotment 

As we were walking around, a fritillary flew down out of the trees and landed on the bracken near us. It was a high brown fritillary.

High brown fritillary

In flight, the males are almost impossible to separate from those of the Dark Green Fritillary, which often share the same habitats. See images below:

The High Brown Fritillary was once widespread in England and Wales, but since the 1950s it has undergone a dramatic decline. It is now reduced to around 50 sites where conservationists are working to save it from extinction.

Other butterflies of note during the day were:

Small Tortoiseshell

The evening was spent watching the sun go down at Arnside Knott, where Jenna saw her first Grayling.

Grayling 

ESSEX SKIPPER-SALTNEY FERRY-FLINTSHIRE

I spent this evening with my mate Mark Payne who had found a small colony of Essex skippers by the river Dee near Chester, just round the corner from where he lives. On arrival they showed well on the thistles, showing their black tips to the antenna. This was a new butterfly for me and nice to see so close to home.

STEJNEGER'S SCOTER-MUSSELBURGH LAGOONS-LOTHIAN

Having spent the weekend in Edinburgh, I called in at Musselburgh lagoons to try and see the Stejneger's scoter again. On arrival, there were already birders on the bird, which was nice as I was in a rush to head south and back home. The bird showed really well with a few Velvet scoters.

  

After I had made the journey previously to see Stejneger's scoter in December 2023, the bird was accepted to the British list. Click on the link below

CLICK ON THE LINK

NORFOLK BREAK

Visiting friends in Norfolk, I called in at Finningley in Nottinghamshire this morning and managed to connect with a Black winged pratincole that has been present for the last couple of weeks.

This was only my fourth Black winged pratincole I had seen in Britain; the last one was on the 4th May 2012 at Burton RSPB in Cheshire.

Over the next few days, whilst out walking, I connected with a Glossy Ibis at Cley 

and Black Tailed Skimmer and Banded Demoiselle, whilst on my travels.

Black Tailed Skimmer 

Banded Damselfly

I also visited Hickling Broad whilst in Norfolk, but there was no sign of any Swallowtail butterflies. Too late again for me! While walking around, though, I did see a Wood sandpiper, a Marsh harrier, and stunning views of Hobby hawking over the reserve.

Marsh Harrier

Hobby

Wood Sandpiper

There was also a good variety of butterflies and odonates on the reserve.

Ruddy Darter

Large Skipper

Variable Damselfly

Norfolk Hawker

Red Admiral

Peacock 

On leaving Norfolk, I called in at Thompson Common and had a walk along the Pingo Trail in search of dragonflies and damselflies.

Good views of Common Darter, 4 Spotted Chaser, Southern Hawker, Scarce, and Common Emerald Damselfly were seen.

Four Spotted Chaser

Emerald Damselfly 

Scarce Emarald Damselfly 

Southern Hawker

The Pingo Trail

A great few days away in Norfolk!What a county!