June 2nd 2007 - Thompson Pingo trail, Ted Ellis NR & Strumpshaw
A day with Sean Browne & Malcolm Hunt looking & photographing mainly dragonflies.
We started at Thompson pingo trail, and it didn't take too long to locate the main target species - Scarce Emerald, although there was a bit of debate
over ID, until we had a mature male under the magnifying glass. We had plenty of "Emeralds" of which the majority we considered to be Scarce Emerald c20.
There was also Four Spot Chaser (3- 4), and 4-5 Hairy Dragonfly. We spent 3-4 hours taking photographs before the heat got too much as it warmed up to 22C++. Also at Thompson - Barn Owl, 3+ Cuckoo & Turtle Dove.
We then moved on to Ted Ellis reserve, unfortunately despite being shown gripping footage by the warden, there were just 1-2 Swallowtails around and they failed to grace our presence. However this is a great reserve and it was a pleaure to walk around. We did score with 2 Scarce Chasers a species we were not expecting here, also 2-3 Norfolk Hawker - but not ideal for photographing at this site.
We headed on late afternoon round to Strumpshaw, the Meadow trail produced great views and some photographs of Norfolk Hawker as 3-4 also moved up and down the main ditch. 3+ Hairy Dragonfly present also.
Also 2 Marsh Harrier & Barn owl finished an excellent day off.
To see the photogrpahs of Scarce Emerald, Four Spot Chaser & Norfolk Hawker - click here
June 3rd 2007 - Themelthorpe
A disappointment today as I checked our garden nestboxes and discovered that the wet & cool weather over the Bank holiday the previous weekend had had a adverse effects on our Blue tits, of four boxes checked there were 20 dead Blue tits, although the Great tits seemed to have faired better with at least 4 fledged young. It was such a shame after watching the adults bravely soldiering back and forth from the feeders slowly getting wet through!
We have been pleased to see at least 3 different juv Great Sp. Woodpeckers at the feeders, and these have been joined by at least 3 different adults.
June 9th 2007 - Themelthorpe
Hobby over the garden today and also a family party of 12+ Long-tailed Tits - excellent!!
June 10th 2007 - Buxton heath
An afternoon dodging more showers! 2+ teneral Keeled Skimmer, 1 Four-spot Chaser, 2 Latticed Heath.
Also 1 singing Woodlark, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Siskin over.
June 13th 2007 - Ted Ellis NR
2-3 hour walk during the evening produced 15+ teneral Scarce Chasers!! This species is clearly spreading as they were very rare here up unitl 2-3 years ago, 15 Small Tortoiseshell, 2-3 Hairy Dragonfly, 4+ Norfolk Hawker, 6 Black-tailed Skimmer.
Also 2 pairs of Marsh Harrier and at dusk a reeling Grasshopper Warbler
June 16th 2007 - River Wensum
An evening fishing on the Wensum produced a beautiful Barbel of 9.4, and also a juv Grey Wagtail, 1 pr of Kingfisher and around 11PM a flyover Whimbrel
June 17th 2007 - Glapthorn Woods, Northants
A specific visit here for Black Hairstreak, 7-8 or on the wing coming down to feed ocassionally on the bramble - to see pictures click here
Also Red Kite near here.
June 20th 2007 - Titchwell
An after work dive up to the coast for a Little Bittern, present for two days I eventually succumbed to the temptation. I was very fortunate as after just 15 minutes the Little Bittern appeared only 30 metres away - swaying atop of the reeds, it showed well for around 10 minutes before flying off down the dyke into cover. The bird was a male and close to breeding plumage, although the crown appeared dark grey rather than black, so perhaps a 1st yr male??
I headed off to have a look on the pans but there was little of note, the sea however, surprisingly held a big raft of around 1400 Common Scoter - very strange for mid-summer.
I headed back and although the Little Bittern hadn't been seen since i had left, within a few minutes it was back on view again!! Julian Bhalerao kindly forwarded this picture on to me. Once out of view the bird could be heard calling - like a distant dog giving single barks.
A day with Sean Browne & Malcolm Hunt looking & photographing mainly dragonflies.
We started at Thompson pingo trail, and it didn't take too long to locate the main target species - Scarce Emerald, although there was a bit of debate
over ID, until we had a mature male under the magnifying glass. We had plenty of "Emeralds" of which the majority we considered to be Scarce Emerald c20.
There was also Four Spot Chaser (3- 4), and 4-5 Hairy Dragonfly. We spent 3-4 hours taking photographs before the heat got too much as it warmed up to 22C++. Also at Thompson - Barn Owl, 3+ Cuckoo & Turtle Dove.
We then moved on to Ted Ellis reserve, unfortunately despite being shown gripping footage by the warden, there were just 1-2 Swallowtails around and they failed to grace our presence. However this is a great reserve and it was a pleaure to walk around. We did score with 2 Scarce Chasers a species we were not expecting here, also 2-3 Norfolk Hawker - but not ideal for photographing at this site.
We headed on late afternoon round to Strumpshaw, the Meadow trail produced great views and some photographs of Norfolk Hawker as 3-4 also moved up and down the main ditch. 3+ Hairy Dragonfly present also.
Also 2 Marsh Harrier & Barn owl finished an excellent day off.
To see the photogrpahs of Scarce Emerald, Four Spot Chaser & Norfolk Hawker - click here
June 3rd 2007 - Themelthorpe
A disappointment today as I checked our garden nestboxes and discovered that the wet & cool weather over the Bank holiday the previous weekend had had a adverse effects on our Blue tits, of four boxes checked there were 20 dead Blue tits, although the Great tits seemed to have faired better with at least 4 fledged young. It was such a shame after watching the adults bravely soldiering back and forth from the feeders slowly getting wet through!
We have been pleased to see at least 3 different juv Great Sp. Woodpeckers at the feeders, and these have been joined by at least 3 different adults.
June 9th 2007 - Themelthorpe
Hobby over the garden today and also a family party of 12+ Long-tailed Tits - excellent!!
June 10th 2007 - Buxton heath
An afternoon dodging more showers! 2+ teneral Keeled Skimmer, 1 Four-spot Chaser, 2 Latticed Heath.
Also 1 singing Woodlark, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Siskin over.
June 13th 2007 - Ted Ellis NR
2-3 hour walk during the evening produced 15+ teneral Scarce Chasers!! This species is clearly spreading as they were very rare here up unitl 2-3 years ago, 15 Small Tortoiseshell, 2-3 Hairy Dragonfly, 4+ Norfolk Hawker, 6 Black-tailed Skimmer.
Also 2 pairs of Marsh Harrier and at dusk a reeling Grasshopper Warbler
June 16th 2007 - River Wensum
An evening fishing on the Wensum produced a beautiful Barbel of 9.4, and also a juv Grey Wagtail, 1 pr of Kingfisher and around 11PM a flyover Whimbrel
June 17th 2007 - Glapthorn Woods, Northants
A specific visit here for Black Hairstreak, 7-8 or on the wing coming down to feed ocassionally on the bramble - to see pictures click here
Also Red Kite near here.
June 20th 2007 - Titchwell
An after work dive up to the coast for a Little Bittern, present for two days I eventually succumbed to the temptation. I was very fortunate as after just 15 minutes the Little Bittern appeared only 30 metres away - swaying atop of the reeds, it showed well for around 10 minutes before flying off down the dyke into cover. The bird was a male and close to breeding plumage, although the crown appeared dark grey rather than black, so perhaps a 1st yr male??
I headed off to have a look on the pans but there was little of note, the sea however, surprisingly held a big raft of around 1400 Common Scoter - very strange for mid-summer.
I headed back and although the Little Bittern hadn't been seen since i had left, within a few minutes it was back on view again!! Julian Bhalerao kindly forwarded this picture on to me. Once out of view the bird could be heard calling - like a distant dog giving single barks.
n o r fo l k b i r d i n g w i t h c h r i s m i l l s
J U N E 2 0 0 7
Picture by Julian Bhalerao - contact here
June 29th 2007 - Arnside Knott
A day in Lancashire/Cumbria with Sean Browne targeting the specialities of the area. We picked our day carefully amidst the generally poor weather, and came up trumps! The heavy showers en-route gave way to cloud and sunny spells, in fact by the afternoon there was more sun than clouds, there was however a breeze ensuring photography was not straightforward!
We did fairly well, and had really nice views of around 20 Dark Green Fritillary, 10 High Brown Fritillary, 3-4 Northen Brown Argus, 1 Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary, 1 Purple Hairstreak, 2-3 Speckled Wood, 1 Comma, & 3-4 Small Skipper.
For pictures of the Fritillaries click here
A day in Lancashire/Cumbria with Sean Browne targeting the specialities of the area. We picked our day carefully amidst the generally poor weather, and came up trumps! The heavy showers en-route gave way to cloud and sunny spells, in fact by the afternoon there was more sun than clouds, there was however a breeze ensuring photography was not straightforward!
We did fairly well, and had really nice views of around 20 Dark Green Fritillary, 10 High Brown Fritillary, 3-4 Northen Brown Argus, 1 Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary, 1 Purple Hairstreak, 2-3 Speckled Wood, 1 Comma, & 3-4 Small Skipper.
For pictures of the Fritillaries click here