Yet another week of glorious sun here on the Exe, which continues to encourage the emergence of our many butterfly and dragonfly species. Those of you who might have ventured along turf path recently might have spotted the stunning Golden-ringed Dragonfly; with the female of this species being the longest dragonfly found in Britain. Other species recently seen around the reserve also include the Four-spotted Chaser; Black-tailed Skimmer and the always impressive Emperor Dragonfly.
Grassland management work undertook by our staff and volunteers continued up in Labrador Bay this week. If you have never been to this site, let me just say the view is spectacular, overlooking the sea; and of course when accompanied by the song of the cirl bunting makes it a pretty unique and special place to work at.
Up at Powderham, the majority of lapwings appear to have now left, with only a couple of stragglers remaining, therefore you better hurry if you want any last sightings!!! However once again it has been a very successful year with 19 confirmed nests hatching chicks, making it our most successful year since the installation of our predator fence.
If you have a free Thursday at all and feel that you would be interested in aiding our conservation work for birds and wildlife then why not come along and join in with a days work with our friendly staff and volunteers; if you fancy getting your hands dirty and want to help give nature a home then contact us at 01392 824614.
Hopefully see you soon,
Alan
Residential Volunteer, Exminster Marshes.