An update on our recent sightings from John, complemented by photos from Phil (thank you both)
"We are at that 'in between' time of the year. Our spring and summer birds have quietened down now they have mated and brooded and we are still waiting for the arrival of our autumn migrants. Come winter our colourful wildfowl will again visit in their thousands. Still over the last few days we've had several black-tailed godwit fly in to join green sandpipers and fingers crossed the number of visiting waders will increase. You can still hear many of the warblers but seeing them in the leaf laden trees and shrubbery can be tricky.
But you don't need any specialist equipment to see plenty of nature around the reserve as Phil Thornton's photographs show. It's nearly peak butterfly season so it's your chance to take part in the Big Butterfly Count from now until 9th August.
I can't quite see the underside of it's antennae so will have to label this one as either a small or Essex skipper. In the former, the underside of the antennae is orange, in the latter it is black.
The emperor dragonflies have been showing off brilliantly around Upperton's pond.
Cinnabar moth caterpillars are munching away on the ragwort. They are one of at least thirty species that are totally dependent on ragwort!
Join us on Sunday 26th July for the butterfly ball family fun day - as well as taking part in the big butterfly count and following our trail we'll be running hands-on activities to introduce you to butterflies, moths and all sorts of other mini-beasts. Drop in between 11 am and 3 pm and we'll be running sessions of pond dipping, grass sweeping and bug hunting, along with butterfly and other insect-themed crafts.