Dunnies and Dragons

Broad-bodied Chaser (female)

The new pools at East Chevington are already paying off. 4 Male and 1 Female dragonflies on one small pool. Female seen egg laying.

Broad-bodied Chaser (male)

For those of you birding at the start of the reclamation of the opencast may remember 'Dead Dogs Pool'. Well I've decided to name this one 'Dead Swan Pool'.

The large South pool held good numbers of Four-spotted Chasers, however there is no access for a closer view. Until recently this site has had a poor record of Dragonflies so this is most welcome. How long before we get a lingering Hobby? I think it may be a while as Hirundine numbers are very low this year.

DBCP prepares for this weekends big twitch.

(Blue-cheeked Bee-eater?)

Actually it is worth avoiding the bay this weekend. In addition to the big screen 'Super Spreader' events arranged for Friday night around the country, DBCP is hosting a long weekend of Booze, Music and Camping.

Cetti's Warbler

I found a small patch of trees, bushes and scrub (c10m sq).

I spent a good 30 minutes there and saw: 2 Lesser Whitethroats, Common Whitethroats (feeding fledglings), Robins, Hedge Sparrows, Reed Bunting, Blackcap, Chiffchaff and a Cetti's Warbler.

Cuckoo

Bee Orchid

Didn't think my patch Orchids would survive the grazing but 12 spikes of Bee Orchid can were present. How long before the cattle find them?

Haven't visited this pool for a while. It has matured quite nicely and the ducklings like it (below). A few House Martins were skimming the pool and if it hadn't been so windy I guess there would have been a few dragonflies on show.