Thanks to volunteer Phil for his report and photos!
Recent Sightings Friday 27th October
A glorious sunny autumn day was perfect for spotting late season dragonflies of varying sizes. A large southern hawker was patrolling Black Pond and a medium size migrant hawker was patrolling the pond in front of Winpenny Hide. Just a few feet in front of the hide a small common darter perched on a fence post, its wings glistening in the strong sunlight.
Pride of place however goes to the common darter pair flying in a mating wheel position in Fattengates Courtyard. They landed on the courtyard wall underneath the ivy bush by the shelter in full view with no decorum!
The mating wheel is common to many dragonfly species but not all do it while flying. It presents an extraordinary sight if you’re lucky enough to see it.
The day was also remarkable for another pectoral sandpiper sighting at West Mead. This bird had been seen there several times over the previous few days and afforded some good views. This may well be a different bird from the pair that spent some time with us a few weeks ago. I managed to get a little closer for a photograph from behind the fence to the left of the old path between West Mead and Redstart Corner
You can make out the clear demarcation line between the brown on the breast and the white underbelly which is a key diagnostic feature for this species, separating it from the slightly larger female ruff where the breast colour fades into the white underbelly.
Notable birds seen by various people during the day were peregrine, marsh harrier, red kite, black tailed godwit, ruff and mistle thrush along with our usual wintering wildfowl and lapwings.