At last the break from the wet weather accompanied by increasing day time temperatures and that rare meterological commodity, sunshine, has brought out a dazzling variety of wildlife from the lesser suntanned human to amazing hoverflies at the reserve. Take a moment as you are passing the large white flowering heads of hogweed that line the old railway track and other paths to take a look at these amazing creatures, that's the hoverflies that is!
Staying on the insect theme, butterflies are more visible, namely, Brimstone, Green-veined white, Red Admiral, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper, Comma, Tortoiseshell, Meadow brown, small copper and some Ringlet.
Dragonflies are about too with Common, Brown and Southern Hawker, Common Darter, Black Tailed Skimmer and the mighty Emperor. With Blue-tailed, Red eyed and good numbers of Common Blue damselflies along the scrubby path edges.
Duck species are keeping a low profile with many still moulting but there is still plenty to see such as the occasional Bittern carrying out short flights, Marsh Harrier (male and female) hunting over the reedbed. Kingfisher calling in flight is a regular sight near the path leading from the old railway bridge into the reserve. Small birds, such as the finch species and 'gangs' of long tailed tits are visible moving around the wooded areas in small flocks
Snipe (27), Green and Common Sandpiper have been seen on the muddy areas opposite the first viewing platform heralding the gradual change of season that is accompanied by increasingly misty mornings and that scent in the air that is reminiscent of the leaves of autumn.
Great white and little egrets are still present on the reserve and the well-picked remains of a fish found aloft one of our mobile water pumps amongst some bird droppings are strong signs that the osprey seen recently has been using it as a dining spot.
Swallows are beginning to gather on the surrounding electric wires, feeding up on the plentiful supply of flying insects ready for their long journey south, heralding the coming end of 'summer' when it feels like it has only just begun!