Now is the time of the Hawker with literally dozens of these aerial predatory dragonflies on the wing (at last). Migrant Hawkers are the most numerous and can be seen patrolling the ditches and hunting at height which opens them up to attack from the returning Hobbies, while the bigger Emperors and Browns prefer to hug the ditches and pools and the Southerns seem to have a liking for the Cordite Store...
Migrant Hawker - Tony O'Brien
Brown Hawker - Tony O'Brien
However, as the days wear on the earlier emerging species are becoming more difficult to find and are on their last wings - so to speak.
This Black-tailed Skimmer had come to rest on the surface of the water after several months of hard territorial and mating effort and had obviously run out of puff.
A Coot saw the opportunity of a fine chewy snack and powered in to grab it....
The insect tried to escpae and become airborne again....
and ended up finishing its life in a most ignominious manner.....
As you can see, Tony O'Brien had a good day with his camera yesteday!
25-8-16
oh and some birds from today too!
Thursday 25th August 2016
• RSPB Rainham Marshes: Wood Sandpiper, 2 Ruff, 5 Green Sandpiper, 4 Common Sand, 23 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Water Rail, 7 Greenshank, 4 Redshank, 9 Snipe, 41 Lapwing, 20 Little Egret, 6 Grey Heron, 8 Pochard, 204 Teal, 15 Shoveler, 18 Gadwall, 47 Mallard, 26 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail, 28 Sand Martin, 12 Swallow, Swift, 250 Goldfinch, 3f Sparrowhawk, 7 Buzzards, 4 Hobby, f + 2 juv Marsh Harrier, 5 Kestrel, 5 Blackcap, 6 Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, 14 Long-tailed Tit, 6 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler 2 Whinchat