A VISIT TO SOMERSET.

We went to Bristol earlier this week and on the way stopped at Thurlbear Woods in Somerset, hoping for Duke of Burgundy but were unsuccessful. We did however get lots of Grizzled Skipper and a couple of Dingy Skipper, as well as Common Blue and Green-veined White.We also went over into Wales to Newport Wetlands for the Hairy Dragonfly but only saw two fly-bys. Disappointing but still a first for us. On the way back to Cornwall we stopped at the brilliant Grey Lakes NR, also in Somerset. It was too chilly for Dragonflies but we did hear at least two Bitterns booming.

GRIZZLED SKIPPER

GRIZZLED SKIPPER

DINGY SKIPPER

COMMON BLUE

COMMON BLUE

GREEN-VEINED WHITE

ORCHID sp.

CUCKOOS AND DRAGONS

 I've finally caught up with some Cuckoos, there were at least 4 at Buttermilk Hill.

CUCKOO

CUCKOO

CUCKOO

BROAD-BODIED CHASER

BROAD-BODIED CHASER, fem.

   At long last the Dragonfly season has started. 

These Broad-Bodied Chasers were taken at Bissoe Valley.

                                           

New Life on the Patch.

This is the first time I have ever seen a Dipper in a tree. 

The juveniles are about now so I guess it was keeping an eye on them.

The very cute juvenile Long-tailed Tit was hiding in a bush, the fledglings 

being flushed by a Jay, hope they all got away.

DIPPER

DIPPER

JUVENILE DIPPER

JUVENILE DIPPER

JUVENILE, LONG-TAILED TIT