Nothing of particular note to report on the bird front from the last few days other than reports from Matt Hyam of Ellingham Waterski Club of a blackwinged stilt flying overhead above Ellingham Lake at the weekend. We have had some lovely photo’s sent in to us over the last few days though:
Grey heron always descend upon the lakes in large numbers at this time of the year – not sure if it is just a post breeding dispersal, lower water levels that makes fishing easier, combination of both or something entirely different! Either way there has been one particular individual who has been a bit of a regular by Tern Hide, and who posed quite nicely for David on this occasion – joined by an obliging little egret.
Grey heron by David Stanley Ward
Little egret by David Stanley Ward
Little ringed plover by Geoff May
(Very!) freshly fledged cuckoo (between Goosander and Lapwing Hides by Russ Tofts
Kingfisher by Russ Tofts
On the invertebrate front there is more noteworthy news from Paul Ritchie who sent in this record and photograph of a lesser emperor dragonfly from Ellingham Pound (the small lake behind the water ski club house). Seen on Sunday afternoon and again briefly on Monday morning I think I am right in thinking that this is the third year on the trot that this rare “vagrant” dragonfly has been recorded at Blashford Lakes, with sightings last year of a female actually egg laying outside Ivy South Hide. You can read more about Paul’s excitement at spotting his first lesser emperor dragonfly on his blog (http://hampshiredragonflies.co.uk/wordpress/?p=3617), but here is his picture as a taster!
Lesser Emperor (over Ellingham Pound) by Paul Ritchie
Thank you to everyone for their records and photo’s!
As for me, I’m still hoping to see Steve’s common lizard by the pond (see Sundays blog)!
Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve 