Barely space for an introduction tonight – 66 species of bird seen at Old Moor today and a few surprises, so best crack on…
With the weather warming up nicely, it’s time to give a bit of space on this blog to ‘odonata’ – the order of carnivorous insects that includes dragonflies and damselflies. All around the pathways of Old Moor you can find common blue and blue-tailed damselflies but if you are lucky you can also find ‘azure’ and even ‘red-eyed’ damselflies.
A beautiful male azure from Jane Wilkinson. Thanks Jane!
The easiest way to spot a red-eyed damselfly is to look out for water lily leaves. Male ‘red-eyes’ will sit on these and defend them against allcomers. The photo below was taken on the Reedbed Trail, halfway along the stretch between the Bittern Bus Stop and the corner that turns to the Reedbed Screen.
A red-eyed damselfly at his pad
On the leftmost island in front of the Family Hide, there have been developments. Here a pair of Mediterranean gulls are raising the next generation. Today some lucky visitors to Old Moor got a glimpse of the first chick to hatch. At the moment, spotting the chick isn’t easy. It’s only three or four days old and it is spending almost all its time beneath a parent.
But, when there’s a changeover or when the adult needs to shift position, you can see the first of this year’s brood.
Sadly, I failed to find the right moment (many, many times) so here instead is a proud parent admiring her chick (it must be down there somewhere)!
Old Moor’s latest game – ‘spot the Med. gull chick’
I should probably also mention that incredible garden warbler on Green Lane. For days now, this bird has been defying received wisdom on its species. The books will tell you, ‘skulking, elusive warbler that sings from the middle of a hedge’ but not our bird! This one has chosen the perfect song perch to be seen! Listen out for its frantic ‘blackcappy’ song as you head towards the Wader Scrape Hide.
Still showing – the garden warbler
Another surprise this afternoon was the arrival of ten black-tailed godwit on the Wader Scrape. Initially flightly, these were most likely the birds seen at Wombwell Ings this morning. Wherever they’d come from, it was great to see these large and stately waders probing around the edges of the Scrape’s islands.
One surprised-looking oystercatcher!
And that’s almost me done for this evening except for a small plug for the guided Wildlife Walks that happen on Tuesdays and Sundays at Old Moor. The next will be Tuesday 4 June and details can be found here.
To finish, here’s one last look at those black-tailed godwit showing why they are so named.
Until next time.
A sight to gladden the heart!
Good that the next generation of med gulls is on its way!