Sunday 8 July 2018

Rodley Nature Reserve

Saturday morning was spent at Rodley, no dodging the heat today, it was hot from the word go but I can't sit in all day and do nothing! It wasn't a great day for photo's the sun was bright with not a cloud in sight.

Like other places the lack of rain is causing some of the water to dry out and the grassland was just cracked mud, still the plantlife was pretty green and there are plenty of flowers out too.



On the lagoon and reedbeds we saw plenty though, lots of young birds too - Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Black-headed Gull, Heron, Swans, Gadwall...

Little Grebe


Gadwall


Grey Heron


Gadwall


Little Grebe


This spot (where we see Snipe in winter) seems to be the duck crossing point we saw two broods go over in the space of 10 minutes.

Gadwall



We spotted Blackcap, Reed Bunting and Whitethroat along with the usual Tits and Finches. Along the willow path I saw a dead Shrew and a (live) Toad covered in white and green?


Of course everywhere was buzzing with bees, butterflies, bugs and Dragonflies! I saw my first Broad-bodied Chaser, it sat on the reeds for some time. Most others were constantly on the wing though I did catch a pair of Azure Damselflies on the lily pads.



Broad-bodied Chaser


Butterfly wise we saw Small Tortoiseshell, White and Skipper, Comma, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, and Large White.

Comma


Small White


Comma


Small Tortoiseshell





Whilst sat in the hide by the managers garden a butterfly landed on the oak just in front of the hide, I only got a brief glimpse and one photo before it flew off. Some twitter help (thank you!) and a google later I had my first ever Hairstreak - a Purple one! Very pleased even if it was the briefest of views and it was mostly whited out by the sun!


A nice way to end the morning!

8 comments:

  1. I've spent the whole weekend at home, wishing I could be outdoors, but I just can't stand the hot sun. It really makes me feel ill (even staying in, the heat gives me headaches) so I'm really looking forward to some cooler weather and some rain - whenever that may be!

    As always you saw a nice variety of species and took some lovely photos :)

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    1. It's dropped a few degrees and clouded over finally but no rain yet......

      Thanks :)

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  2. Great find of the Hairsteak! You saw some nice ducks and the little Grebe too..sweet!! We finally had a good day weather wise and I was happy since it was the day Flossie had to go to the Mobile Vets and get her shots. Lining up on hot asphalt is no fun so we were happy it was cool! She was a good girl and we were back home pretty quick.

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    1. I was really pleased! It's nice when the weather is finally bearable again isn't it! It's not nice for the animals either!

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  3. Great to see the butterflies. There are many here too and we are raising Giant Swallowtails indoors. I have recently been getting interested in months and that is a taxon that can give you fits!

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    1. I love seeing the butterflies, they are in abundance at the moment, lovely to have the Swallowtails, I remember seeing them in Florida. Moths are just as beautiful as Butterflies, but there are so many and they can definitely give you fits trying to ID them!

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  4. The heat is getting to me too, I long to walk somewhere in cooler weather, I feel as if I'm wasting the summer waiting for it to get cooler which seems an odd thing as we've spent half the year waiting for it to get warmer! I love the duck crossing place and it's lovely that you could see and capture in photos the broad-bodied chaser and the purple hairstreak:)

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    1. I know what you mean - of course we're never satisfied with the weather are we!! It was funny to watch the ducks :)

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