Showing posts with label Variable Damselfly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Variable Damselfly. Show all posts

Friday, May 1, 2026

Nightingale Hunt

A friend was keen to hear Nightingales locally so, on Wednesday, it was off early to Paxton on a hunt for this elusive songster. There were plenty of birds singing and even showing themselves well including the Whitethroat and Chiffchaff and even a Robin with a crossed bill got in on the act. It was beginning to get a bit warm so I was hoping that we were going to succeed and, at last, that wonderful chuckling song rang out from the deep scrub and entertained us with its variety of 'tunes' for a long while flitting in and out of the dense scrub. I only managed a fleeting photo this time. On the walk back the Variable Damselflies and Banded Demoiselles were waking up and we had time for a quick visit to the hides to check on the heron chicks, Coots and Grebes. 

Saturday, April 19, 2025

Blue Damselflies and Other Insects at Paxton

This morning, we were doing a wildlife survey in the Gully area at Paxton  - the weather was decidedly chilly and breezy so no Butterflies or Dragon/Damselflies but we recorded quite a variety of Insects, Flowers and Birds including a very vocal Nightingale - let's hope he finds a mate. I think the Mining Bees were the stars photographically (Andrena haemorrhoides and Colletes cunicularis)!! In the afternoon, I took a short walk along Meadow Trail and found two Common Blue Damsels and one Variable Damselfly - all looking rather cold

Thursday, May 23, 2024

Paxton 'Dragons', 'Damsels' and 'Scorpions'

 Although overcast and fairly chilly Paxton Pits was alive with Damselflies (Common, Variable and Blue-tailed plus Banded Demoiselles) and Scorpion Flies plus the occasional Dragonfly (Four-spotted Chaser). I decided to use just the 300 mm lens (with 1.4 converter) as I need to practise finding things in the view finder etc.

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Encounters at Paxton Pits

Today I helped with a Guided Walk at Paxton for U3A Sawston Bird Group - lots to see including various insects such as this Hornet, which I couldn't get a clear view of through the leaves but this has added a pictorial vignette, which I like. Also shown Variable and Common Damselflies, Craneflies, Scorpion Flies, a Grizzled Skipper and also lots of birds including the final very confiding Dunnock.