Wildlife sightings for 26th July 2024
Lesser Emperor and Southern Hawker dragonflies on the wing, plus Green Sandpiper feeding on the scrape
2 Green Sandpiper - scrape
1 Common Sandpiper - main lake
4 Common Tern (2 adult, 2 juvs) - main lake
16 Teal - scrape, reservoir lagoon
4 Chiffchaff juvs - sheltered lagoon, wildside
2 Sedge Warbler juvs - scrape
Cetti's Warblers and Reed Warblers can be found in the reedbed and any other reed fringes. Look for Sedge Warblers at the scrubby edges of the marsh, reservoir lagoon and main lake. Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs are active in the scrublands of wildside, south route and sheltered lagoon.
Dragonflies: (late July survey) Southern Hawker, Norfolk Hawker, Emperor, Brown Hawker, Black-tailed Skimmer, Lesser Emperor, Common Darter, Small red-eyed Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly, Red-eyed Damselfly, Azure Damselfly, Willow Emerald Damselfly.
Butterflies: (late July surveys) Comma, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Marbled White, Speckled Wood, Red Admiral, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, Small Copper, Common Blue, Holly Blue.
Flowering plants: Tufted Vetch, Field Scabious, Knapweed, Creeping Thistle, Spear Thistle, Marsh Woundwort, Yellow Bartsia, Yellow Loosestrife, White Water-lily, Yellow Water-lily, Meadow Vetchling, Meadow Rue, Lesser Centaury, Bristly Ox-tongue, Hawkbit sp., Hawkweed Ox-tongue, Meadowsweet, Burdock, Flowering Rush, Sow-thistle, Scentless Mayweed, Pineapple Mayweed, Cut-leaved Cranesbill, Dove's-foot Cranesbill, Nipplewort, Great Willowherb, Monkey-flower, Yarrow, Wild Carrot, Wild Basil, Bird's-foot Trefoil, Hop Trefoil, Spotted Medick, Oxeye Daisy, Cat's Ear, Smooth Hawk's-beard, Ragwort, Groundsel, Coltsfoot, Teasel, Lady's Bedstraw, Hedge Bedstraw, Honeysuckle, Selfheal and many more.