The hot weather has brought out the dragonflies along the river - this is the time of year when they are most visible, often traversing quite a distance away from the river where they emerged, hunting high and low. Each type has it's own characteristics - but all are hunters, killers of insects small and large.
A Southern Hawker dragonfly (Aeshna cyanea) resting on the
Nettles. Its wings are almost invisible but in flight can sometimes
be heard whirring.
A Common Darter dragonfly (Sympetrum striolatum) female,
teneral ('adolescent') stage.
As its name implies, it darts out from its chosen perch to
catch passing insects. Here it's perched on flower heads of a
Dock and is quite well camouflaged.
A full record for Friday 25th July 2014:
It was very humid with thin cloud, casting no shadows - but there had been no rain for a few days, only extreme heat. The river was flowing clear and fairly low.
At this time of the year most birds are in hiding. With plentiful food supplies, moulting can take place in the safety of abundant undergrowth or in the midst of thickets in full leaf. Others are quiet as are still raising young.
It was very quiet, with only the scuffling and cooing of woodpigeons (22) heard at first. Two were sitting half-immersed in the river shallows, cooling off, allowing the water to run through their feathers. One collared dove was doing likewise. Fewer blue tits and great tits were seen (27 and 12) just one or two calling and some bickering from the oaks. Ten blackbirds were seen, several low down at the waters edge, some scuffling from the opposite bank and one giving an alarm call but otherwise silent. A robin flew up from the water and another started a short song in the holly but these were the only two seen today. Song thrushes have done exceptionally well this year and adults were seen still carrying food to young (3). Six wrens were seen, all silent - only noticed when flying across the river low down from cover to cover. A sudden splash revealed an adult moorhen paddling downstream and a juvenile was seen some distance away - Moorhens have also done well this year raising young early on and having new broods, with tiny young just taking to the water.
House sparrows were bathing in the river or gathering in their hedgerows and ivy patches, whilst others were singing to themselves inside brambles (36) and just one chaffinch was seen - which was almost impossible to identify at first as was soaking wet, perched on a branch in the sun, drying off. Two crows and three magpies were seen and heard and a sparrowhawk on a mission whizzed across the river.
Warblers were still present, with uncharacteristically silent chiffchaffs (4) busy foraging, with a good view of one perched on a Blackthorn branch flitting out to catch insects over the river and back. Two garden warblers were seen, with one singing! In the willows, three blackcaps were also collecting insects, with one singing too. A green woodpecker was busy amongst the wild grasses, selecting ants - and a great spotted woodpecker was seen flying silently into an oak. At least the nuthatches have started calling again! Three were seen in different places, with two calling - they are probably establishing their territories early this year. Goldfinches are now setting out in groups to survey the land for seeding plants which are early and plentiful this summer, with some heard taking a rest in the Blackthorn, singing (15). Tiny thin calls gave away the presence of goldcrests near some conifers (2).
The highlight today was the sight of a kingfisher over flowing water and reeds where it appeared to almost hover, dip, and fly up perhaps with a small fish. It flew quickly upstream and out of sight,
keeping low over the water.
Undercover birds - but high visibility butterflies:
Gatekeepers were now out in force, I counted over 100 all along the river, some of them acting aggressively towards others, chasing over brambles and thistles. Meadow Browns were still around, mainly amongst the wild dry grasses, they like warm sunny areas and colonies have done very well this year on the wild meadow and verges. One was seen chasing a Small Tortoiseshell butterfly. Small White and Large White butterflies were seen in various locations. Green-veined White butterflies were emerging, the second brood this year - in contrast to the Meadow Browns, they like damp wild areas like the shady parts of the wild meadows and river banks. One which I saw was very well camouflaged as an upturned leaf on an oak.
A few Brimstone butterflies flew strongly along the banks whilst the nettle-lovers, the Red Admirals were soaking up the sun on - the nettles. More will be seen next month and then well into autumn.
Skippers, Small, Essex and Large skippers were very numerous, mainly Small, enjoying the dry grasses and wild flowers. The aggressive Gatekeepers were seen in the same area taking on Peacock butterflies, much larger than themselves. Comma butterflies brought flashes of colour to the green nettles and wooded parts of the riverside.
Last but not least, the dragonflies:
As before, Banded Demoiselle Damselflies were the most numerous, in several areas - with well camouflaged females and shining males - warming up on bramble leaves or nettle leaves, patiently waiting for insect prey to fly past. One female was seen chasing a Red Admiral butterfly!
I counted about 100 in total in various locations. There were some Beautiful Demoiselle Damselflies as well, enjoying the same conditions.
Much larger and more spectacular - the dragonflies are far less numerous:
One fast-moving Emperor dragonfly was seen in a shady area over the river close to a still body of water across the opposite bank. One colourful but well camouflaged Southern Hawker was seen on the nettles, resting and waiting - and a Brown Hawker was seen in a sheltered area over the river fast moving but methodically ranging over its chosen hunting ground.
Insects of many types were numerous along the river and where wild flowers are doing well, bees have been numerous too, both honeybees, Bumble bees, other bees and hoverflies to mention just a few.
No comments:
Post a Comment