Dragonflies at Waveney Forest

This morning I drove down to Waveney Forest, I had to pull in at a layby on the left hand side for a postman's van, as I pulled up I noticed a large dragonfly patrolling the woodland edge, it was a superb male Southern Hawker. Jumping out of the car I managed to obtain a few shots before it flew back a few yards and settled again, a great start!
From the car park, I walked down the northern most track following the pylons and it was immediately apparent there were loads of Common Darter, probably around 300 seen during the whole walk! There was a heavy dew on the vegetation and the flowering heather was completely covered in loads of spiders webs. A male Marsh Harrier flew over. Either side of the path, a variety of funghi seen including 5 Fly Agaric and a particularly fine and large Wood Mushroom (Agaricus silvicola) Thanks to Michael B for the ID. Three quarters of the way down I saw a Common or Viviparous Lizard which quickly scuttled off. By some sun drenched heather, 2 Small Coppers and a showy Comma butterfly were seen. Also seen flying through was yet another Southern Hawker dragonfly, this time a female, which briefly perched on some Silver birch, it flew again and I tracked it down again and managed a few further shots were obtained (see 2nd header picture).
A barking nearby Deer was probably either a Red or Fallow Deer, a large Deer was seen walking away through the wood. By the end covert, a mewing Buzzard was heard too. Several Siskins were heard too.

Southern Hawker

A birdless walk along the Corton rail track late afternoon today, revealed up to 5 Hawker dragonflies, 4 Migrant Hawkers and 1 superb Southern Hawker which spent a lot of time investigating me, it was a stunning male, sadly it was never seen perched. The reason for so few birds were the rather windy conditions.

Butterflies seen included up to 4 Holly Blues on the wing.

Meanwhile, in the garden a calling Chiff- Chaff was heard at the back.

Southern Stunner!

Yesterday (Tuesday 25th in the afternoon) Jenny saw a wonderful male Southern Hawker Dragonfly, a stunning combination of blue and green markings on his abdomen, resting on one of our roses in the back garden. Here's a pic of a male I saw last September at the "New" Corton Sewage Works!

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.