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

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).

Dragonfly (and Butterfly) Walk at Paxton

August's official Butterfly and Dragonfly Survey has been moved to Tuesday when it looks warmer and sunnier but five of us did the walk as planned yesterday and saw a large number of  white butterflies (mainly Small White we thought) and occasional Meadow Browns and one Small Copper but nothing settled for long. The Dragonflies were more obliging with several Brown Hawkers in the air and several Migrant Hawkers both flying and perched in the hedges. (Flight shot taken in afternoon from hide). All the darters we looked at turned out to be Common Darters. Otherwise a good variety of impressive flies and Grass-mimicing Bugs and Moths. ID sheet at end.

Dragonfly Day at Paxton Pits

 We have not been at all lucky with the weather for events this year. Our Annual Dragonfly Day in July with the Dragonfly Society (Paxton is a Dragonfly Hotspot ) had to be cancelled because of rain. Our replacement day yesterday was dry but overcast, breezy and cool so not the variety of dragonflies that we hoped plus the Dragonfly Society could not attend the amended date. However, over 30 people turned up for the event and took part in one or both of the walks. Here a few images from the day (Willow Emerald plus the Emerald Damselfly that we hoped but failed to see, Common Darter, Common Blue Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Migrant hawker plus other insects including the very spiky Comma caterpillar and the Darwin Wasp (Ichneumon in old terms!)).

River Ouse at Brampton

The intention was to hunt for Fritillaries and White Admirals etc in Brampton Wood but it was closed for Management tasks so we diverted to the River Ouse banks and spent an enjoyable morning hunting sheltered spots for Dragonflies etc. Here some of the captures - interesting that we identified our last dragonfly of the morning as a Skimmer in the field but the photo (image 1) clearly shows the dark patches at the base of the wing and tips (compare image 2).