. . . made for good birdwatching on the Reserve.
It was a midday high tide, so started off by checking the Saltmarsh Pool and surrounding marsh as the tide ebbed. A flock of 40 Golden Plover (coming to the coast from the moors after breeding) were out on the mudflats. They were still displaying their summer plumage. 26 Dunlin were busily feeding with them. On the pool two fluffy Black-headed Gull chicks were struggling with rising water levels as an ever decreasing island became flooded..
Golden Plover and Dunlin in the foreground, on the mudflats in front of North Plain Farm.
Golden Plover showing their summer plumage.
Back on the Reserve, the Red Route was the order of the day. Starting through the Discovery field, Azure, Common Blue and Blue-tailed Damselflies were visible in the water below the Dipping Platform.
Male Azure Damselfly.
Male Common Blue Damselfly.
Male and female Blue-tailed Damselflies.
Following the invitingly wide track through the flower meadows - Meadow Cranesbill, Hawkweed, Knapweed, Ox-eye Daisy, Yellow Rattle and Bird's-foot Trefoil could be seen amongst the waving grasses.
Path through the wildflower meadows . . .
. . . but watch out for the Troll as you cross the bridge!
Knapweed putting on a good show.
Meadow Cranesbill, Hawkweed and Ox-eye Daisies.
Bird's-foot Trefoil.
As the track turns left and passes along the edge of one of a number of arable fields, Red Admiral and Meadow Brown Butterflies can be seen both along the track and amongst the flowers in the field. The pale blue flowers of Flax and the mauve flowers of Fodder Radish are showing well.
Red Admiral on brambles leaves.
Meadow Brown butterfly.
Delicate flowers of Flax in the arable field.
Hay making had started in earnest in the meadows beyond - a tractor was tracking back and forth in the sunshine. It was an ideal day for the start of this activity.
First meadow to be cut.
Continuing through Bushcraft Island and onto the turnoff for the wood and pools, a family of Swallows were busily catching insects and landing back on the barbed-wire edging the track. Walking along the edge of the flooded old peat working pools I kept getting a glimpse of the wings of newly emerged Common Darters glistening in the sunshine. Then, reaching the corner before the track turns sharp right into the wood, the metallic green of Emerald Damselflies became apparent. They were flitting amongst the clumps of rushes lining the path.
Juvenile Swallows learning to catch flying insects.
Juvenile Swallow close-up.
Female Black Darter on pool-edge vegetation . . .
. . . wings glistening in the sunshine.
Female Emerald Damselfly.
On through the wood and onto the boardwalk, Meadow Pipits occasionally flew down and landed amongst the heather. The purple of Cross-leaved heath was starting to colour the landscape and dotted about were clumps of the yellow flowers of Bog Asphodel.
Crossed-leaved Heath and Bog Myrtle.
Bog Asphodel.
Nearing the wooden compass,one and then two buzzards suddenly appeared on the horizon. Going through the wood their loud mewing could be heard overhead as they interacted with each other. Through gaps in the trees, it was easy to get good views of this activity.
Buzzard overhead . . .
. . . and soaring.
Two interacting, seen from the wood.
Leaving the wood and out onto the Phragmites lined path, Red Admiral and Meadow Brown Butterflies were enjoying the warmth of the sunshine. Passing the Willow Bower and on through the meadow, a Willow Warbler kept pace with me as it picked its way along the hedgerow catching insects as it went.
Willow Warbler catching insects along the hedgerow.
Back now onto the Lonning, Green-veined White and Red Admiral Butterflies were enjoying the shelter it afforded. A single Large Skipper flitted by and then, coming towards me was the silhouette of a large Dragonfly - curiously, it landed on the hedge next to me where it stayed for about ten minutes. On inspection it was a male Southern Hawker. Then, nearing the farm, another one did virtually the same things - but this one turned out to be a female.
Green-veined White Butterfly enjoying nectar from Bramble flowers.
Male Large Skipper.
Immature male Southern Hawker clinging to foliage.
All in all it turned out to be a very enjoyable and interesting day on the Reserve.