Sunday 22 August 2010

Rodley Nature Reserve

Rodley had a summer fair yesterday, which deservedly seemed to be well attended. We took a walk around the reserve too of course.

We didn't see much on the water though we didn't really expect to - mostly Coots, Mallards, Moorhens and a family of Swans on the waters edge. There were 3 or 4 Herons perched in a distant tree and Cormorants on the pylon again.

Despite the people we managed to see some little birds in amongst the plants in the field between the Willow Coppice and the ponds. There were plenty of them and after hanging around a bit I got some good views, though no photos, they were too quick for that. Good enough views to id them as Willow Warblers - yet another new bird for me and what a gorgeous bird too, so tiny and perfect looking with their olive and yellow colouring.

When we had parked our car we immediately saw a very large dragonfly, which turned out to be a Brown Hawker. We soon saw plenty more around the reserve and the ponds were full of all sorts of dragonfly.

Brown Hawker

Common Blue Damselfly

Here are some of the other things we spotted.

Harlequin Ladybird (Conspicua)


Toad

Smooth Newt (I think)

Water Snails

Small Copper Butterfly (edit)

If i've got any of the id's wrong feel free to let me know!

4 comments:

  1. Lovely photos Pam. Your Small Heath is a Small Copper.

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  2. Oops thanks Dean i'll change it!
    Pam

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  3. Hello Pam, lovely post, we didn't make it to the Summer Fair but did pop down on Sunday where we too saw the Brown Hawker dragonflies and a couple of Small Copper butterflies. Linda

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  4. Hi Linda, the Brown Hawkers were everywhere on Saturday. It's been a long time since i've seen so many in one place.
    Pam

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