SCARLET DARTER-KNIGHTON RESERVOIR-SILVERLAKE-DORSET

On 18th June, a visitor to Silverlake in Dorset photographed two teneral Scarlet Darters (Crocothemis erythraea), a very rare dragonfly species typically found in southern Europe and across Africa. I had attempted to see them at this site last year, but overcast weather prevented any sightings.

After finishing work early this morning in Oxfordshire, I made the two-hour journey, arriving around lunchtime under a promising sky of heat and sunshine.

Silverlake

It didn’t take long to spot my first Scarlet Darter, and soon another appeared. Within the first few minutes, four were flying before me—absolutely unbelievable. As I circled the lake, I counted a total of twelve Scarlet Darters, eight of which were striking males.

As I circled the lake, I spotted 12 Scarlet darters, 8 of which were striking males.

The first recorded sighting of this species in Britain was at Kimbro Pool on The Lizard, Cornwall, on 7 August 1995. Since then, only a handful of additional records have been made across the country. Its recent northward expansion is thought to be influenced by global warming.

While searching for Scarlet Darters, I also encountered several other species, including Small Red-eyed Damselfly (Erythromma viridulum), Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum), Blue-tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans), Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum), Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator), and a male Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope). The Lesser Emperor, originally from southern and central Europe, was first recorded in Great Britain in 1996 and has since established successful breeding populations.

It was a superb afternoon, made all the more enjoyable by catching up with familiar faces on site before heading home.

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS & UK(MEGAS)

June 30th

National Mega News

Western Sandpiper-Maidens-Ayrshire

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

4 Spotted Redshank and a Spoonbill-Burton RSPB

Ruddy Shelduck-Weaver bend-Frodsham Marshes

June 29th

National Mega News

Western Sandpiper-Maidens-Ayrshire

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

Common Quail-Singing male distantly from The Harp Inn-Parkgate

Ruddy Shelduck-Two below Marsh farm-Frodsham Marshes

June 28th

National Mega News

Western Sandpiper-Maidens-Ayrshire

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

4 Spotted Redshank and a Spoonbill-Burton RSPB

Channel wagtail-Two males in field at junction of Holly Bush Lane and Woodend Lane-Rixton

2 Channel wagtail-Hale head and a Wood sandpiper-Carr lane pools-Hale

June 27th

National Mega News

Western Sandpiper-Maidens-Ayrshire

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

Pied flycatcher-One reported by the cafe-Burton RSPB

June 26th

National Mega News

Barolo-Type-Shearwater-One flew past Wra Rocks at Pendeen Watch-Pendeen-Cornwall 

Western Sandpiper-Maidens-Ayrshire

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

4 Spotted Redshank- Still on Centenary Pool from Border Hide and Eurasian Spoonbill-Burton RSPB

Garganey-Two eclipse drakes on No 3 Bed from John Morgan Hide-Woolston Eyes-Permit Only

25th June 2025

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

Common Quail-Singing male-Burton Marsh

3 Spotted Redshank-Still on Centenary Pool from Border Hide-Burton RSPB

7 Mediterranean Gull before high tide - Thurstaston Shore.

11 Sandwich Tern, including first juv of the year at high tide - Hoylake Shore.

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS & UK(MEGAS)

24th June 2025

2 Channel Wagtail-Singing males-Hale

(c) Dave Craven

Wood Sandpiper-One nearby in recent days-Winwick

DAY OUT IN NORTH WALES

This morning, Jenna, Harley, and I visited Pensychnant Nature Reserve in North Wales during an open day, providing the public with an insight into the reserve’s daily operations.

We spent a few informative hours on site, during which I recorded several moths that had been trapped overnight, adding them to my life list. While enjoying a drink and some homemade cake, a Hummingbird Hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) put on a spectacular display on a nearby buddleia

After the event, we met my good friend Marc Hughes and spent the afternoon exploring the Great Orme near Llandudno

During our walk, Jenna was thrilled to add the Silver-studded Blue (Plebejus argus caernensis) to her list. 

During our walk, Jenna was thrilled to add the Silver-studded Blue (Plebejus argus caernensis) to her list. This subspecies emerges about a month earlier than others in the UK and has a fascinating life cycle: black ants tend the caterpillars, taking them into their nests and protecting them. When the caterpillars feed, the ants accompany them and, in return, consume a sugary secretion produced by the caterpillars.

Another notable sighting was the Grayling butterfly (Hipparchia semele thyone), a distinct subspecies recognised by its smaller size and earlier emergence compared to other UK populations. While common across Europe, it is declining in distribution and numbers in the UK and is considered at high risk across Europe due to projected climate change.

We also encountered the Horehound Plume Moth (Wheeleria spilodactylus) and its larva. This micro-moth has been the focus of the “Cryptic Creatures of the Creuddyn” project, which surveys limestone habitats on the Great Orme and surrounding areas.

Horehound plume moth

Horehound plume larva

During our walk, other moth species included the Silky Wave (Idaea dilutaria), named for its pale, washed-out wing markings. In recent years, this delicate moth has been recorded at only a few locations in Wales and western England, including the Great Orme, the South Gower coast, and the Avon Gorge near Bristol. We also spotted the Small-purple Barred (Xanthorhoe biriviata).

Silky Wave

Small-purple Barred

As the afternoon drew to a close, we came across four Slow Worms (Anguis fragilis) basking in the sun—a perfect end to an eventful day.

It was a wonderful day, filled with new sightings for all of us and the chance to enjoy some remarkable wildlife in stunning locations.

Marc, Harley, and I enjoying the day’s wildlife discoveries.

PURPLE EMPEROR BUTTERFLY-BERNWOOD FOREST-OXFORDSHIRE

This afternoon, after finishing work, I made the short journey to Bernwood Forest to try and photograph Purple Emperor butterflies (Apatura iris), which had been frequently reported over the weekend.

Remarkably, as I pulled into the car park, one was perched right in the middle of the road. I parked, ran back to the entrance, and it was still there, basking in the sun—absolutely unbelievable!

Key Characteristics:

• Size: One of the largest UK butterflies, with a wingspan of 7.5–8.4 cm.

• Appearance: Males have a distinctive purple sheen on their upper wings, with white bands and orange-ringed eyespots; females are brown with similar eyespots.

• Habitat: Mature woodlands, particularly those with goat willow, their caterpillar foodplant.

• Behaviour: Males spend much of their time in the canopy, feeding on aphid honeydew, occasionally descending to damp patches or animal droppings.

• Flight Period: Late June to early August.

• Conservation Status: Medium conservation priority (Butterfly Conservation).

As I walked along the forest track, I spotted four more Purple Emperors fluttering down from the canopy and landing on the path. 

It was a thrilling sight to witness so many of these magnificent butterflies.

Other notable species on the wing included good numbers of White Admiral (Limenitis camilla) and Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia).

Silver-washed fritillary

White admiral

Venturing into a meadow on the forest’s outskirts, I recorded two Black Hairstreaks (Satyrium pruni) and two Purple Hairstreaks (Favonius quercus) along the edge of the clearing—a spectacular display of woodland and meadow butterflies.

Purple hairstreak

Black hairstreak

By the end of my walk, I had observed a total of 15 species. Other species I managed to photograph included Large White (Pieris brassicae), Comma (Polygonia c-album), Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus), and Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta).

Large white

Comma

Large skipper

Red admiral

It was a fantastic afternoon in an area teeming with butterfly life, and a true highlight of the summer.

RED-VEINED DARTER-SOUTHAMPTON COMMON BOATING LAKE

This afternoon, after finishing work, I visited Southampton Common in the hope of seeing the Red-veined Darters (Sympetrum fonscolombii) that have been present at the site for over a month. These striking dragonflies have been recorded here for the past nine years.

Boating Lake at Southampton Common

I had attempted a visit at the end of last month, but poor weather foiled my plans. Today, however, the sun was shining. Upon reaching the boating lake, I immediately spotted a male basking on the path, soaking up the sunlight—a perfect start to the visit.

The Red-veined Darter is a common and widespread species across much of central and southern Europe, including most Mediterranean islands. In some years, it migrates northward, and since the 1990s, it has been increasingly recorded in Great Britain.

After spending over an hour at the lake, I counted more than six individuals before leaving. This species is now proudly on my life list, and it was particularly satisfying to finally see one in excellent conditions.

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS & UK(MEGAS)

June 23rd

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

5 Spotted Redshank- Still on Centenary Pool from Border Hide-Burton RSPB

June 22nd

National Mega News

Western Sandpiper-Maidens-Ayrshire

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

3 Spotted Redshank-Still on Centenary Pool from Border Hide-Burton RSPB

Wood Sandpiper-Sweeney Wetlands

3 Channel Wagtail-Hale

June 21st

National Mega News

Western Sandpiper-Maidens-Ayrshire

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

4 Common Scoter-Acre Nook Quarry-Chelford

2 Spotted Redshank and a Curlew sandpiper- Still on Centenary Pool from Border Hide-Burton RSPB

June 20th

National Mega News

Western Sandpiper-Maidens-Ayrshire

June 18th

National Mega News

Western Sandpiper-Maidens-Ayrshire

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

3 Spotted Redshank and a Eurasian Spoonbill- Still on Centenary Pool from Border Hide-Burton RSPB

June 17th

National Mega News

Western Sandpiper-Maidens-Ayrshire

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

Garganey-No3 bed-Woolston Eyes-Permit Only

c40 Swift over inland fields - Leasowe Lighthouse.

Hobby in off the sea - Dove Point, Meols.

June 16th

National Mega News

Western Sandpiper-Maidens-Ayrshire

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

Common Quail- Three singing still in the wheat field opposite Burnt Mill Farm and two Channel wagtail-Within way-Hale

Curlew Sandpiper-Still on Centenary Pool from Border Hide-Burton RSPB

Ruddy Shelduck-One on River Mersey viewed west from Halfway House-Norton Marsh

June 14th

National Mega News

Western Sandpiper-Maidens-Ayrshire

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

Common Quail- Two singing still in the wheat field opposite Burnt Mill Farm and two Channel Wagtail-Within way-Hale

Curlew Sandpiper and Spotted Redshank-Burton RSPB

Eurasian Spoonbill-Four on Frodsham Score viewed distantly from Hale Head Lighthouse-Channel Wagtail-Singing male in potato field at end of Within Way viewed from River Mersey footpath-Hale

June 14th

National Mega News

Bridled Tern-One briefly over scrape then flew south out to sea-Minsmere RSPB-Suffolk

Western Sandpiper-Maidens-Ayrshire

Western Sandpiper

(c)Owen Parsons

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

Common Quail- One singing still in the wheat field opposite Burnt Mill Farm-Hale

Curlew Sandpiper-Still on Centenary Pool from Border Hide-Burton RSPB

June 13th

National Mega News

Bridled Tern-Coquet Island-Northumberland

Western Sandpiper-Maidens-Ayrshire

Western Sandpiper

(c)Owen Parsons

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

Curlew Sandpiper-Still on Centenary Pool from Border Hide-Burton RSPB

Woodchat Shrike- Still on pylon by Bridgewater Canal at 53.3305, -26520; park in housing estate near Norton Station Road, Runcorn (WA76RG), and walk east along Red Brow Lane to reach canal towpath.

Woodchat Shrike

(c)Elliot Montieth

June 12th

National Mega News

Bridled Tern-Ythan Estuary-Aberdeenshire

Western Sandpiper-Maidens-Ayrshire

Western Sandpiper

(c)Owen Parsons

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

Common Quail- One singing still in the wheat field opposite Burnt Mill Farm-Hale

Woodchat Shrike- Still on pylon by Bridgewater Canal at 53.3305, -26520; park in housing estate near Norton Station Road, Runcorn (WA76RG), and walk east along Red Brow Lane to reach canal towpath.

Woodchat Shrike

(c)Elliot Montieth