MICHAEL'S SNAPS

Michael Thorley has been out with his camera in the last few days and shares some of his pictures.

This male broad-bodied chaser was photographed in his East Mersea garden near Meeting Lane on Thursday - it was also seen the day before too.

Close up of the broad-bodied chaser in Michael's garden.

Also in Michael's garden was these two azure damselflies.

A freshly emerged blue-tailed damselfly still to develop the blue colouration was pictured in Michael's garden.

A male reed bunting seen singing by Michael.

A male yellow wagtail also seen singing from the top of an Alexanders plant.

A great tit carrying some food was seen by the Strood on Thursday morning.

Earlier in the week some sand martins were pictured by Michael as they flew low over the dyke.

At first it looked like they were swooping low for a drink.

However it seemed the sand martins were dropping into the water for a quick bathe.

A quick dip into the water by the sand martins and then they continued flying along.