This morning, during the Wildlife Walk, a female Marsh Harrier, being chased by a Common Tern, flew over the Slurry Lagoon. When the tern lost interest it began quartering the Slurry Lagoon reed-bed before dropping in. Later it took off again and flew around the Large Gravel Pit before gaining height and disappearing high towards the east. PS.
Female Marsh Harrier.
This morning the male, eclipse Garganey was on the Slurry Lagoon again. Three Egyptian Geese flew through and a Raven ‘cronked’ as it flew across the river. Later in the morning a Sandwich Tern called as it flew NE over the site. PS.
Male, eclipse Garganey with two male, eclipse Shoveler.
This morning two Bitterns were seen in the Slurry Lagoon reed-bed. While they stood there a third Bittern flew over the reed-bed before dropping in. RJP.
This morning a Curlew flew over the site, calling.
In the afternoon – on the Dragonfly Walk – good numbers of Brown Hawkers, Migrant Hawkers and Red-eyed Damselflies were seen, as well as Common Blue Damselflies, Banded Demoiselles, a Brown Argus and a Willow Emerald. PS.
Willow Emerald
Brown Argus
This morning a Bittern was seen dropping into the Slurry Lagoon reed-bed. Later an eclipse, male Garganey flew onto the Slurry Lagoon but took off again almost immediately and flew off in the direction of the Ecopark. PS.
Garganey and Gadwall.
This morning, during the bird count, a Purple Hairstreak was found on thistles near the large oak at the end of the Lower Path. Also seen were good numbers of Red Admirals, Ruddy Darters and a Migrant Hawker. PS.
Purple Hairstreak – unfortunately with rear of hind-wing missing.
This afternoon on the Butterfly Walk, fifteen species of butterfly were seen, including a Painted Lady, three Essex Skippers, two Common Blues, two Brimstones and over ten Red Admirals. Also seen were some day-flying moths such as Common Purple and Gold, Latticed Heath, Shaded Broad-bar and Six-spot Burnet. PS
Painted Lady
Common Purple and Gold
This afternoon two Common Sandpipers were seen on one of the tern platforms. JDn.
The hot, humid conditions this morning suited the dragonflies and several species were seen. There was a Lesser Emperor in front of the Causeway benches, along with Emperors, Four-spotted Chasers and Black-tailed Skimmers. In the NE corner of the Slurry Lagoon a Broad-bodied Chaser was basking. Along the Boundary Hedge immature Ruddy Darters and a Brown Hawker were seen. PS.
Lesser Emperor
Broad-bodied Chaser
Ruddy Darter
This morning a male Garganey was seen on the Slurry Lagoon. Later on a Red-tipped Clearwing was found on the Causeway. PS.
In the afternoon two Variable Damselflies were seen around the Small Gravel Pit. RW.
