Sky Dancers

With the last of her course work handed in, it was time for Our Lass to have a weekend off and a proper day out, as she would call it. We decided upon Woodwalton Fen as our destination, though I was unsure of what to expect, as every other one of our visits to this National Nature Reserve has been in dragon/damsel season.

I thought the highlight of the day would be Spring flowers, or early migrant warblers, or, perhaps, butterflies. Whilst all of these put in an appearance, it was the raptors that stole the show.

Arriving on site late morning, we first walked a circuit in the southern half of the reserve, along rides and ditches bathed in warm sunshine. A Grasshopper Warbler called from some scrub, a Chinese Water Deer wandered out of a reed bed and a Stoat briefly appeared and disappeared again. There were only three species of butterfly on the wing, Peacock, Brimstone and Green-veined White, and very few flowers beyond Lady's Smock, Gound Ivy and Dandelion. I tried in vain to capture images of the butterflies, but most of my photos were of butterflowns.

Very soon, it became apparent that the day belonged to the birds of prey. Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Buzzard, Red Kite and Marsh Harrier, all seemed to be in the air at once, sometimes with several species in the same thermal. This resulted in some good size comparison shots, though even fewer were in focus!

Marsh Harrier and Red Kite

After lunch (The Cross Keys in Upwood, lovely treacle sponge!), we tried our luck with a northerly circuit of the fen and hit upon Marsh Harrier Central. From our vantage point in a hide, we were able to enjoy some of the "sky dancing" courtship display, including practice food passes (I think). Whilst not an expert in these matters, I would counsel that in order to impress the object of one's desires, dinner is essential. We were unable to see any prey changing talons during these exchanges.

Crossing to the western edge of the site, a huge earth bank, we sat in the late afternoon sun and listened to Lapwings displaying, out over the flood meadows. A large flock of Jackdaws and Rooks headed east, and behind them, we spotted a Peregrine Falcon.

Towards dusk, raptor affairs calmed down and the tracks and rides filled with various species of non-native deer, Muntjac and Chinese Water Deer.

Chinese Water Deer (and part-time Fleetwood Mac fan)

Following another visit to the Cross Keys (practising what I preach!), we wearily headed home, tired but happy.

It's an Emergence-y

The Admiral suggested a trip to Woodwalton Fen on Saturday. His timing was perfect, as several hundred Scarce Chasers decided that "today's the day", and emerged in a show of solidarity that would reduce your average synchronised swimmer to tears.

As well as these beauties (it's an eye of the beholder thing), there were Four-spotted Chasers, Hairy Dragonflies and a supporting cast of damselflies. Large Red, Azure, Blue-tailed, Red-eyed and a single Variable.

A haul of six raptors was pretty special too, Red Kite, Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, Hobby, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. But the day belonged to the Scarce Chasers...

if only I knew what she was pointing at?

Sunday? No, Darterday!

None of us could face driving to the coast on a Bank Holiday weekend, so we made our second visit of the year to Woodwalton Fen. With a fair smattering of cloud and a gusty wind, our best odo opportunities were going to found in the occasional calm, sunny spots. There were Hawkers on the wing and a few damsels to be seen, but the stars of the show were the Darters. Both Common and Ruddy were showing off their sartorial skills by roosting on all manner of articles. Hats, shirts, trousers, rucksacks, they didn't care.

I should point out that the pink top doesn't belong to me... as mine's in the wash.
At one point, MGLW was at the centre of a territorial dispute between two male Ruddy Darters, which was a nice way to spend our anniversary weekend, I thought.

Abundance in Scarcity

Someone pinch me! It's a Bank Holiday weekend and the sun is shining, the Doc has said I can resume normal life (not sure what this actually means?) and we've been to a National Nature Reserve for the day.

After several years of cajoling by the Admiral, we finally went to Woodwalton Fen, a NNR between Peterborough and Huntingdon. It's only about an hour from home, so no excuses really. Height above sea level is zero, as the OS map handily pointed out. This made me realise that, despite being inland, Woodwalton Fen is in the front line of the battle against rising sea levels. We're all moving nearer the coast, folks. A fragile and ephemeral environment indeed, though with its oaks and poplars it looks so permanent and solid. On the warmest day for weeks, it turned into a bit of an Odofest, lots of damsels and dragons. The pick of the abundant Scarce Chasers being this almost-mature male.

We also clocked up a dozen or more Hairy Dragonflies and Four-spotted Chasers, two Black-tailed Skimmers, a Banded Demoiselle and a whole host of damselflies, Azure, Large Red, Blue-tailed and Red-eyed. For good measure, in the early evening sunshine, we spotted a male Marsh Harrier quartering the fields and heard the full-bodied and clear song of a Nightingale. In a gentle breeze, the Admiral navigated us to a pub at Holme, the aptly-named Admiral Wells, to replenish our tired but happy selves.