18th May 2008

Boardwalk (near visitors centre) from 11.30am -2.25pm.

Highlights

A few hours spent watching and photographing dragonflies and damselflies.

Hairy Dragonfly (2+), Azure Damselfly (5+), Four-spot Chaser (2+), Large Red Damselfly(c.10) and Blue-tailed Damselfly (c.8) all present on the pond by the boardwalk.

Cuckoo and Yellowhammer heard.

Hairy Dragonfly.

Azure Damselfly.

Two photos of Large Red Damselflies.

Exuvia (casing) shed by an emerging dragonfly.

17th May 2008

All morning (5.40am-1.30pm)

Highlights

1 Black Tern on Stewartby Lake (5.40-6.40am at least) -too far out to photograph

c6 Common Terns, 1 Oystercatcher on sailing club lawn.

Cuckoo seen near sewage works from gullwatch

Male Red-crested Pochard on Pillinge as well as 2 Redshank and a Sparrowhawk.

Hobby near visitors centre.

(Went to nearby Coronation Pit in the afternoon with Martin Palmer and Paul and Neil Wright, saw the immature male Red-footed Falcon well, but fairly distantly as well as several Hobbies and a cuckoo.)

Male Red-crested Pochard on Pillinge.

One of two Redshanks near Pillinge

Male Whitethroat near sewage works.
Grey Heron flying past gullwatch.

Dunnock near sewage works.

16th May 2008

Gullwatch (6.40-7.15pm)
Highlights
1 Cuckoo in tree near sewage works
2+ Common terns
10 Mute swans
100+ mixed hirdundines (all 3 species)
1 male Sparrowhawk flew past gullwatch

4th May 2008

Morning visit to gullwatch (7- 8.30am)

1 Common Sandpiper on lakeshore infront of gullwatch

3rd May 2008

Morning (4.45am - 9am) and evening (7-8pm)

Highlights

(morning)

Dawn Chorus walk - good turn of people (about 30), and approx 55 different birds seen / heard

Black Tern on Stewartby Lake and Little Gull on Pillinge

2 Oystercatchers on lawn near Visitor's Centre

Whimbrel heard near Long Meadow, but not by me.. :-(

Usual selection of warblers, notably good views of Garden Warbler near sewage works

(evening)

Little Egret over Pillinge

One of two Oystercatchers on lawn near Visitor's Centre

2nd May 2008

Late morning to evening (11am-12.30pm) and gullwatch (6.40-8pm)

Highlights

(morning)

2 Hobbies, Kestrel, 2 Chinese Water Deer and Buzzard (Wetlands 1 and 2)

(afternoon)

Common Tern with fish near Visitor's Centre

(evening)

1 Imm little Gull flew over Stewartby Lake and into Rookery, 4-5 Common Terns and Sparrowhawk over Stewartby Lake

Common Tern with fish near Visitors Centre

Male Kestrel hovering at Wetland 1

Chinese Water Deer - Wetland 1

Cowslips near Visitors Centre

Dandelion

1st May 2008

Most of day (6.50am-7pm)
Highlights
(morning)
2 Common Terns on Stewartby Lake (6.50-7.10am)
2 Shelduck near access track
Female/Imm Marsh Harrier around Wetland 3
(afternoon)
1 Imm Little Gull on Stewartby Lake (3.50 - 6.05pm at least, may have spent some of time on Rookery)
3 Yellow Wagtails on Sailing Club lawnFemale/immature Marsh Harrier over Wetland 3.Immature Little Gull on Stewartby Lake.
Distant shot of a pair of Shelduck over the access track.