Saturday 25 July 2009

Dragons & Ladies


A visit to the grassland area and pool at Corton Sewage works this afternoon (an impromto visit following sitting in traffic for 3/4 hour at Oulton Broad, I had hoped to travel south and visit Dunwich Forest) revealed around 15 Gatekeeper butterflies and by the pool I witnessed 2 fine striking male Southern Hawker Dragonflies patrolling the board walk area. Whilst on the Pool itself 3 Emperor Dragonflies 1 sky-blue coloured male and 2 female who were busily oviposting (laying eggs) in the water.
Large Red Damselflies, 1 Black- tailed Skimmer were also seen. A Brown Hawker was finally seen around the boardwalk as I left. 
Back in the garden, as I was arriving home I saw a Heron fly up and away (obviously after our fish in the fish pond, fortunately protected by netting!) On the wooden Pagoda I was delighted to spot a solitary Hornet and managed to obtain one or two pictures. The Brown Hawker was also seen in the early evening again alighting on the bushes near the wildlife pond.
Another really good day for butterflies with up to 8 Large White butterflies, several Peacocks,1 Small Skipper seen in the evening  where 4 Painted Lady butterflies (recent press reports our predicting a great upsurge in numbers of this species following the great influx we witnessed in the late Spring) were also seen on the Buddlea along the eastern fence which was bathed in sunshine.

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