The almost totally overcast conditions with a decent breeze made it the most comfortable day to be out in many weeks but sadly it didn't improve insect numbers and rather suppressed butterfly and dragonfly activity.
The reserve is now pretty parched but that has given the opportunity to cut and top large areas just in the last week transforming the look of the place. The footpaths and fields are a sea of Ragwort with attendant Cinnabar caterpillars plus other nectaring insects.
The Fleabane etc on the zigzag was hardly buzzing with life but a Eumerus hoverfly had me puzzled for a while and a few Four-banded Flower Bees were looking very bald. All the skippers appeared to be Small.
At Westmead a juvenile Wren with massive gape flanges was hopping around the guttering whilst in front the last half inch of water held enough insects to keep a family of Pied Wagtails busy. Bird highlight of the day was a juvenile (1cy) Marsh Harrier - presumably fledged for no more than a month, I wonder where that has wandered in from; I guess there are no breeders anywhere nearby.
Redstart Corner pool had four Brown Hawkers and a couple of Common Darters.
Winpenny pool was still full of water but birdless and the constant sound of Redshanks over the spring and early summer was now absent; presumably all decamped to wetter areas.
Similar story on north brooks although others had Hobbies and a Purple Emperor(!) in the vicinity. Without a scope only a single godwit and a handful of House Martins.
The heathland was also birdless but did at least produce a nice male Banded Demoiselle, my first Black Darter of the year (above) with many Ruddies and this Emerald Damsel, also a first.
Main highlight of the day was this Pantaloon Bee, one of two, checking holes amongst the Anthophora bimaculata, Sphecodes, Cerceris rybiensis etc which, due to the cooler conditions, were much less active than in previous weeks.
Finally, a Green Sandpiper circling the heath dropped into the muddy margins of Black Pond, although being nervous didn't stay long once it spotted me.
Caught up with Gary, Sue and Patrick.
