BASKING DAMSELS

It was warm enough on Wednesday 20th, despite the strong breeze and the showers, for various dragonflies and damselflies to be on the wing. This one pictured, is the small red-eyed damselfly, seen basking on a bush, in the sun but out of the wind. Several were seen in the area of bushes located about 30 metres from the park pond.

Small red-eyed damselflies colonised the dyke and pond of the park several years ago, as part of the rapid colonisation of south and eastern England. Originally from the continent, these delicate flying insects were first seen in the UK opposite Mersea Island near Bradwell in 1999. The species became the first migrant damselfly to colonise the British Isles.

Various dragonflies were hunting along the sheltered paths, such as southern hawker, migrant hawker, common darter and ruddy darter. The strong breeze kept butterfly activity down although a few red admirals, small white, large white, meadow browns and speckled woods were all seen.

Birds seen around the park included 2 willow warblers, sparrowhawk, a few swallows passing through whilst two little egrets roosted at the pond at high tide. There was plenty of wader activity on the mudflats in the late afternoon as the tide went out. As the first 100 metres of mud from the shore was revealed, at least ten species were arriving in their hundreds. The usual oystercatchers, curlew, redshank and black-tailed godwits in good numbers. Scattered small groups of dunlin, turnstone, grey plover, ringed plover as well as 100 golden plover. Further out a little egret, little tern and common tern were noted.

Martin Cock visited the Pyefleet area of Reeveshall and noted 2 wheatears, 20 teal, turtle dove and ruff. Yesterdays visit revealed a good view of the ringtail hen harrier catching some small prey and then being mobbed by a marsh harrier. On the pool were greenshank, 3 green sandpiper, 2 snipe with 2 wheatear, whinchat and stonechat seen nearby.

The tawny owl was seen perching low alongside Bromans Lane just after dark on Tuesday evening.