Tag Archives: Emperor Dragonfly

Cuckoo – 22nd May

May 22, 2025Recent wildlife sightingscuckoo, Deep Pit, Egyptian Goose, Emperor Dragonfly, Great White Egret, Marsh Harrier, Oystercatcher, Red KitePete Smith

This morning there were two Cuckoos seen in the Deep Pit. It was not possible to say for certain if they were a male and a female or two males. Later a Great White Egret flew over to the north and then three Red Kites also flew over to the north. The Deep Pit had three Oystercatchers on one of its Tern Rafts and eight Egyptian Geese also flew into the Deep Pit. On the bank a teneral Emperor Dragonfly was resting in some tall grass. PS.

Later a Marsh Harrier was reported from the Deep Pit. RJP.

Teneral Emperor Dragonfly. PS.

Lesser Emperor – 25th June

June 25, 2023Recent wildlife sightings2023, 25th June, Black-tailed Skimmer, Boundary Hedge, Broad-bodied Chaser, Brown Hawker, Emperor Dragonfly, Four-spotted Chaser, Lesser Emperor, Ruddy Darter, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

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

Red-eared Terrapin – 17th July

July 17, 2021Recent wildlife sightings17th July, 2021, Common Tern, Emperor Dragonfly, great spotted woodpecker, Jay, kingfisher, Red-eared TerrapinPete Smith

This morning the first of the fledged Common Terns was seen over the Slurry Lagoon. Also seen there was an egg-laying Emperor Dragonfly, a Kingfisher and a Red-eared Terrapin (somebody’s unwanted pet). On the railway embankment were two Jays, and a juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker was in the dead sycamore. PS.

Hobby – June 23rd

June 23, 2021Recent wildlife sightingsBlack-tailed Skimmer, Brimstone, carrion crow, Eco-park, Emperor Dragonfly, Green Sandpiper, Hobby, Lesser Whitethroat, Meadow Brown, Red Admiral, Ringlet, Slurry Lagoon, Small TortoiseshellPete Smith

This morning a Hobby was seen being mobbed by a Carrion Crow, over the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon. There were two Lesser Whitethroats singing and Meadow Browns and Ringlets were flying. Also seen were Emperor Dragonflies and Black-tailed Skimmers, several Small Tortoiseshells, Red Admirals and a Brimstone. PS.

In the evening a Green Sandpiper was seen on the Eco-park. JMD.

Bittern – 9th June

June 9, 2020Recent wildlife sightings2020, 9th June, Bittern, Black-headed Gull, cuckoo, Deep Pit, Emperor Dragonfly, Hairy Dragonfly, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning there were two male Cuckoos on the reserve. In the afternoon another male was in the Slurry Lagoon reed-bed. In the late afternoon a Bittern was driven by Black-headed Gulls into the Slurry Lagoon reed-bed. Later it was seen again in the Deep Pit, but the gulls again drove it into the Slurry Lagoon reed-bed. There were also several Hairy Dragonflies and Emperor Dragonflies on the Slurry Lagoon. PS.

Spotted Flycatcher – 22nd August

August 22, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 22nd August, birds, Blackcap, Brown Hawker, Buzzard, Common Darter, Emperor Dragonfly, Hobby, Jay, Lesser Whitethroat, Lower Path, Migrant Hawker, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Small Gravel Pit, Spotted Flycatcher, Stoat, Swallow, Whitethroat, Willow titPete Smith

This morning as we walked along the Lower Path four Jays sneaked into the canopy of the ash trees while a a Buzzard called overhead. There were several immature Reed Warblers, Sedge Warblers, Blackcaps and Whitethroats and a Lesser Whitethroat and Willow Tit in the bushes between the path and the railway line. Near to the signal box a Spotted Flycatcher was perched on the wires and then in the hawthorn bushes, and a Stoat ran across the path. By the river the Swallows’ alarm calls alerted us to a Hobby. PS.

A Little Egret was seen briefly on the Slurry Lagoon and several Roesel’s Bush-crickets were found on the Causeway. By the Small Gravel Pit an Emperor, Migrant Hawker, Brown Hawker and Common Darter were seen. PS.

Hobbies – 12th June

June 12, 2010Recent wildlife sightingsCommon Tern, Emperor Dragonfly, HobbyPete Smith

Two Hobbies were seen displaying over the lagoons in the early afternoon. Two tern chicks have hatched on the platforms and an Emreror Dragonfly was seen on the Small Gravel Pit. RW. JMD.