Paxton Water Surveys 2026

Disappointed that I didn't have longer looking at the samples taken for the first of the Water Quality survey at Paxton Pits today due to a clash of events but I did get to do a few photographs of the very small insects/invertebrates that needed further magnification such as these very attractive Pond Weed bugs (about 3 mm). Their latin name is Mesovelia furcata. It is usually wingless but winged forms do occur. It lives round the margins of well vegetated ponds. Its eggs (about 100) are inserted in water plants. Also pleased to identify a Soldier Fly larva as I wasn't aware the larvae were aquatic till today though the adults do frequent marshy areas. I wonder if there is an ID group fro these as with Hoverfly larvae. (ID sheet at the end)

July Survey of East Scrub Paxton

In the hot weather, insects tend to move under leaves into the shade to prevent overheating so we were not surprised that there did not appear to be many species to record during our Thursday July survey of East Scrub. However, a bit of hunting around in the vegetation revealed quite a variety of subjects. Great to phoograph both Willow Emerald and Emerald Damseflies, Picture-wing Fly, several species of Grasshoppers, Moths and Flies.   ID sheets are at the end together with a few more pictorial portraits.

Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve

Another 30 degrees plus day for a visit to Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve which was the first example of a gravel pit site being developed for the purpose of nature conservation. This former quarry is owned by Tarmac and leased to Kent Wildlife Trust under a long term agreement for the benefit of wildlife and enjoyment of all. As well as birds, dragonflies and damselflies there is also a diverse community of plants, fungi and other wildlife. The nature reserve covers 73 hectares and comprises five lakes surrounded by woodland, with ponds, seasonally flooded pools as well as grassland and small areas of reedbed, while the river Darent flows through the northern part of the reserve and supports a reasonable population of invertebrates and fish. There is a very impressive recently rennovated Visitor Centre. Dragonflies everywhere including in the beaks of all the water birds. The Egrets and the young Moorhen kept us entertained along with Great Crested grebes, a Heron family, Lapwing etc

Elmley Marshes and Shorne Woods

Definitely not a good idea to book a visit to Elmley Marshes reserve when the temperature climbed to above 30 degrees but we managed a short walk and a few bird and hare sightings. Shorne Woods (Kent County Council reserve) proved an excellent substitute for the afternoon with plenty of shade around the ponds and active dragonflies to photograph.

Kent Dragonflies

Great day dragonfly hunting in Kent resulting in two species that I haven't photographed before: the Lesser Emperor with its striking blue segments and the Small Red Eye Damselfly identified by the markings on the end of the abdomen (Small Red-eyed on left in each pair).