A nice spell of warm weather had brought about an insect bonanza as already seen with the wondrous Clearwing moths that I posted yesterday.
Butterflies are now scooting around all over the marsh with many Meadow Browns, the first Gatekeepers and lots of chocolate Ringlets dancing around the centre. I am pleased to say that Marbled Whites must have successfully bred last year as we have had good numbers reported along the river wall instead on windblown singles.
Marbled White - Tom Bell
Ringlet - Ian Plume
Darters are emerging with both Common and Ruddy on the wing now although big hawkers are thin on the ground still with just a couple of Emperor and Southern seen along with Black-tailed Skimmers, Broad Bodied Chasers and a variety of Damselflies.
Emperor with Grey Heron - Michael Frankling
Broad Bodied Chaser - Michael Frankling
Blue-tailed Damselfly - Andy Reid
Small Red-eyed Damselfly - Joan Chatterley
Ruddy Darter - Ian Plume
A Hummingbird Hawkmoth has been seen nectaring around the lavender that is full bloom in the car ark flower beds, showing off it amazing manoeuvrability between the flowers.
Hummingbird Hawkmoth - Lawrence Rogers
Hopefully tonight we shall catch a few more interesting ones during our Late Night Opening moth night. I am hoping for more Glowworms tonight too.
Down at ground level the first Wasp Spiders are becoming visible to mortal eyes (not those of Clive who has been watching them for a month since they were really tiny!) and they will grow quickly with the plethora of food that will come their way.
Wasp Spider - Clive 'Waspy' Watts
Bearded Tits are still showing with the first brood youngsters bouncing around in stroppy flocks of orange, black and buff. Parents are already taking food to second clutches so there will be Beardy action for many weeks to come. There are at least two juvenile Marsh Harriers on the wing still and an immature male has returned to quarter the marsh. Breeding here was almost unthinkable until a few years ago.
Bearded Tit - David Bowron
Our pair of Avocet have managed to fledge two young which is great news and the whole family are still be seen on the back of Aveley Pool but they will have to keep out of the reaches of the local Peregrines, the youngsters of which are practising across the reserve.
immature male Marsh Harrier - David Bowron
young Peregrine and Crow consort... Mick Brockington
Hope you all have a good weekend...
Howard Vaughan, Information Officer