9 SEPTEMBER 2025 – TEDNAMBURY and THORLEY WASH

I’d heard about Whinchats being seen locally, so having seen the species previously at Thorley Wash (though not since September 2017) I thought I’d visit Thorley Wash in case one had found its way there. But as soon as I got off the bus at Spellbrook, instead of heading north along the Stort towpath, I headed south towards Tednambury, as I remembered I’d seen Whinchats there too in the past.

It started well with sightings of a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Green Woodpecker (both of which had been hard to see at Thorley Wash this year), but after a relatively short distance along the towpath I heard a ‘cronking’ sound and when I turned around, I saw a large ‘crow-like’ bird alight atop of a radio mast a couple of hundred metres or so away. The knew the ‘cronking’ was that of a Raven but the bird I was seeing was too far away to be sure, although binocular views when the bird bowed to show a large crop, I was certain in my mind that it was indeed a Raven; I mean its whole demeanour screamed Raven, and anyway Crows don't 'cronk'!!

I took several shots through the camera using my 100-400 mm telephoto - and in the screen when enlarged I could see the bird well enough to know that my conclusion was correct. But I couldn’t leave it there - I needed to get closer, to try and get better photographs if possible. So, I retraced my steps along the towpath, to get into the field where the radio mast was situated. I might have been trespassing (something I wouldn’t normally do) but access to the field was from an unrestricted pathway, so maybe I was okay; but up the hill I was luckily undercover of trees and bushes, and when I reached the mast I had no option but to leave the cover in order to view the top of the mast - but of course as soon as I did so, the bird saw me and took immediately to flight - joined by another equally large bird - both ‘cronking’ continuously. I had to act quickly, so trained the camera on the two birds, and tracked them as they flew, with just four or five shots taken before they were too far away to matter. They both flew around and away to land in a distant oak, where another - equally large - bird was perched, together with a kestrel which was diminutive in comparison. I looked at my shots, and could see the birds’ massive bills, and in one photo the wedge-shaped tail; so, I was happy I’d identified the Ravens correctly - indeed, I was over the moon at the superb views I’d had. Later, I enjoyed another sighting as a Raven flew high over me - ‘cronking’ all the time - and when I could see the wedge-shaped tail more clearly, although, unbelievably, I sort of forgot to use the camera!!

Along the towpath, I found a juvenile Little Grebe hiding amongst the reeds along the Stort. This was quite a surprising record, as normally Little Grebes are seen here (and at Thorley Wash) in the winter months - occasionally in good numbers, my best being fifteen individuals. But could this one be a locally bred bird?? I also saw a distant Red Kite and a Cormorant fishing in the river.

As for chances of seeing a Whinchat, well they were non-existent, as the marsh was virtually completely devoid of any birdlife - no Whitethroats; no Reed Buntings - absolutely nothing. But it would have been difficult to see any bird anyway as the marsh was completely covered in Himalayan Balsam, which was clearly rampant here; a scene completely different to the last time I visited the site some months ago. I turned back at that stage, and made my way back along the towpath, with no further views of Ravens, although I did get some quite lovely shots of the Little Grebe, before two canal boats disturbed the waters.

As I approached Thorley Wash Reserve along the towpath alongside Walbury Estate, I found a couple of pairs of Western Spreadwing damselflies (previously known as Willow Emerald damselflies) and the briefest glimpse of a Kingfisher flying high over some Willow trees.

A walk around the northern section of Thorley Wash Reserve produced little in the way of birdlife, and the number of Western Spreadwing damselflies was disappointingly small - indeed, I don’t think I’d ever witnessed the reserve so quiet. This quietude was exemplified by the sighting of a small herd of Water Buffalo that were lying down, sheltering from the warm sunshine beneath Willow trees. It had been warm, with unrelenting sunshine throughout the day, but cloud was increasing from the south, and by mid-afternoon showers were threatening. I did see several Hornets hovering over an Ivy bush, but it was almost impossible to get decent photographs because they were all entirely unpredictable and constantly on the move.

A few more Western Spreadwings were seen on my way north along the towpath - although they were incredibly difficult to photograph without risking falling into the river - and the Kingfisher was seen again, this time skimming the surface as it flew rapidly upstream. A few dragonflies were seen - a single Brown Hawker; several Common Darters (most in tandem with a mate egg laying); a couple of Common Blue Damselflies, and rather a lot of Migrant Hawkers - a couple of which I found ‘perched’ on stems of reeds and were photographable. Further along, I found a species of Cricket which I believe was a Brown Bush Cricket - an entirely new species for me.

I guess it hadn’t been exceptional bird-wise, but even as I write this, I still cannot believe I’d seen Ravens at such close quarters; and of course, the sighting of a Kingfisher was memorable because it was the first siting of the species anywhere this year.

RAVEN (the first view - vastly enlarged)

RAVENS

RAVENS

LITTLE GREBE

LITTLE GREBE

LITTLE GREBE

COMMON DARTER

MIGRANT HAWKER

WESTERN SPREADWING

WESTERN SPREADWINGS IN TANDEM

WATER BUFFALO

MUTE SWAN

HORNET

BROWN BUSH CRICKET

 

 

 

 

 

7 SEPTEMBER 2025 –  SOUTHERN COUNTRY PARK

I hadn’t been out all week (except for health-related appointments) and although I’d enjoyed a bit of photography in the garden the previous day ( photographing both Hummingbird Hawkmoth and Hornet Hoverfly) I was hoping the warm spell of weather might be good for dragonflies and butterflies; so, I decided on a visit to Southern Country Park, NW Bishop’s Stortford.

Passing through Thorley Wedge on the way, I stopped to photograph a lovely bright Comma Butterfly and a rather tatty Common Blue, arriving at the northern entrance to the park shortly after 11.00 a.m. Immediately, I saw another male Common Blue, then a superb Ruddy Darter that literally posed for my camera. A Willow Emerald Damselfly (recently renamed Western Spreadwing) unexpectedly flew in, alighting on the branch of a Lime tree, a mere few feet away though at slightly more than head-level to me. But it was very difficult to get as close as I’d have liked, and anyway for some reason the sunlight was exceptionally bright - giving a rather over-exposed reading through the lens (which I knew meant that I would need to take that into account when processing the image in my software at home). This species had enjoyed good breeding levels in recent years, but in fact I wasn’t destined to find any more today, which was rather disappointing.

A couple of buzzing Migrant Hawkers along the treeline, made me feel as if today’s tally of dragonfly species thus far might eventually be quite good, but in fact I only managed to add just one other species to the list - a Common Darter; although to be fair not many species are still on the wing at this time of year, so I couldn’t have expected many more realistically.

The same could be said for butterflies, as throughout the day I only recorded seven species - both Large and Small White (in reasonable numbers); a Comma; a single Red Admiral; two Small Coppers (both males); a couple of Speckled Woods, and a simply huge number of Common Blues - at least 32 males and 3 females - without doubt the largest number I’ve ever recorded locally. But apart from the rather ragged male seen at Thorley Wedge, I only managed to get just one other (a male) to keep still long enough to photograph.

Another species I hoped to add was a Small Heath, and I was beginning to think that none were going to show, when at the last moment one flew passed me, landing on the ground in front of me and allowing a photograph (for record purposes only). The species is just about holding on in the park, but so far this year I’d not connected with any at all locally, so this sighting was welcome indeed.

Chickory was evident all over the park - a very attractive wildflower; as is Viburnum, with large leaves and masses of bright red berries - although only evident in the Wedge area near the lake. It was noticeable that most berry trees and shrubs were already well in advance with regard to their fruits - a consequence of the long, hot and very dry summer- so autumn fruits are likely not going to be so available to birds and insects this year. Nature certainly moves in strange circles.

I have to say that birdlife wasn’t in any sense prolific or anything remotely close - the only species seen were Woodpigeon; Carrion Crow; Jackdaw; Rook; Magpie; Mallard; Moorhen; Blue Tit; Swallow and a probable House Martin. A Red Kite was seen briefly (indeed, I’ve never recorded the species anywhere locally in September) but it was no more than a fleeting glimpse really.

COMMA BUTTERFLY 

COMMON BLUE BUTTERFLY

RUDDY DARTER

COMMON DARTER

WESTERN SPREADWING

SMALL COPPER BUTTERFLY

SMALL HEATH BUTTERFLY

CHICKORY

VIBURNUM

 

28 AUGUST 2025 – OLD HALL MARSHES/ABBERTON – ESSEX

Mike and I left it to John to make the decision as to where to go and he suggested Old Hall Marshes near Tollesbury, Essex. I hadn’t been there for many years and was doubtful, given that the walk round was exceptionally long. John said there were two options – a long walk and a short walk, where the latter might suit be better considering the problems with my right hip. I was still a tad doubtful but agreed to try it. He and Mike had visited the site a few weeks ago, and had seen a good selection of birds, so it seemed a reasonable choice. He had checked the tide timetable, with high tide expected around 3.00pm.

We arrived at the car park around 9.00 a.m. in bright, warm sunshine, with a light to moderate SW Breeze. Along the grassy path out towards the Salcott Channel, we kicked up many micro-moths and species of butterfly, including Common Blues; Gatekeeper; Meadow Brown and lots of Small Heaths, with at least eight Migrant Hawker Dragonflies, but little else of note. Birds included a Common Whitethroat; Swallows; a lone Sand Martin; carrion Crows; Rooks; Magpies; a large flock of Goldfinches; and distant Western Marsh Harriers a Kestrel and a Hobby. A trio of Yellow Wagtails around the feet of a sheep, included a bird which had the hallmarks of being a Blue Headed race – which Mike confirmed once he’d researched it once we got home. I did think I had a Clouded Yellow along the path which quickly flew away and disappeared under the dry grassy tussocks in an adjacent field, but I couldn’t claim it unfortunately.

Overlooking the Salcott Channel (which had a reputation for birdlife) we headed east towards the Blackwater Estuary, but as the tide was out, the birds were strewn out along the channel, and in any event were not numerous in numbers. Apart from the ubiquitous Black-headed Gulls; Lesser and Greater Black-backed Gulls (mainly on the far bank) there were several Little Egrets; at least one Curlew; a couple of Grey Plovers; a good number of Black-tailed Godwits, and many Redshanks - but nothing of great note.  I picked up a juvenile Wheatear, which was new to me for the year, whilst John scoped a distant Red Kite over the opposite bank, and another Marsh Harrier and Hobby. Butterflies were few and far between up on the bank, comprising mainly Whites and a few Small Heaths, with a sprinkling of Migrant Hawker Dragonflies. Then we turned off the Salcott Channel, to continue along the ‘short’ walk and back to the car.

Almost immediately, we found a Little Ringed Plover on a small pool; and nearby a trio of Muntjac Deer (two adults and a fawn) making their way through a stand of Hawthorns. A few more sightings of Hobby tantalised without giving splendid views. By that time, I was way behind Mike and John but was giving more attention to the dykes which looked excellent habitat for dragonflies, which was difficult to do due to the steep grassy banks. I’d already seen a couple of Ruddy Darters and was looking out for Emerald Damselfly and in particular Scarce Emerald Damselfly which could well have been present at the site; it did look promising.

A fleeting glimpse of a Clouded Yellow butterfly gave rise to some optimism - but was short-lived regarding that species. Suddenly, I found what I was looking for and called Mike back in the hope that he could verify it. But the banks were very steep and quite dangerous and given that I had a walking aid (a Nordic stick) for support I was loathe to try and get closer. But Mike had no such qualms, so I carefully followed him down until I could get close enough to get a reasonable telephoto shot. Mike had difficulty finding the insect at first, but followed my instructions and eventually saw the damselfly, clinging to a single reed that was hanging over the dyke. My view was that it was an Emerald Damselfly (possibly a teneral male) - but viewing the image in the camera, it was difficult to say for sure; and we’d have to wait until we could view the guides before confirming the sighting. But it was new for the year for both of us – probably for John too but wasn’t anywhere close so we couldn’t do anything about that. Other dragonflies seen at this location included a Blue-tailed Damselfly; a male Emperor Dragonfly and a couple of Migrant Hawkers.

Further along the path, I could see Mike looking down into the dyke where the rushes were thicker, but he wasn’t looking at dragonflies, for he’d seen several juvenile Reed Warblers and a probable family of Sedge Warblers seemingly trying to ward off a mammal - possibly a Stoat or Weasel (or a Rat), but that had long gone by the time I arrived on the scene. I missed the Sedges, but there were several (very attractive) juvenile Reed Warblers (possibly as many as six individuals); and when John joined us, he found us a juvenile Bearded Tit too, which was a fabulous bonus. We could hear the ‘pinging’ calls of Bearded Tits, but up to that point hadn’t connected – until John came along!

I missed a pair of Spoonbills flying over the marsh, but got a lovely view of a Hobby, and previously an adult Cuckoo, thanks to a shout from the guys. Later, as we neared the car park, I saw a Great White Egret in flight (which the others missed); and as I caught them up, they had a Greenshank and a Whimbrel in scoped views. A pair of Redshank caused some consternation and discussion as to whether one might have been a Spotted Redshank – and in fact, the jury is still out on that one as Mike has concluded he needs to do more research, before coming to a final decision.

In formation online suggested that Abberton Reservoir had a few waders of interest, so we headed there as soon as we’d partaken of lunch back in John’s car. The weather had been fantastic, but we could see a big cloudbank coming in from the west, and by then the wind had increased dramatically. By the time we left the site, light rain was beginning to fall.

At Abberton - the Layer Breton Causeway (back in bright sunshine with no hint of rain) we saw flight views of at least three juvenile Black Terns in amongst the Common Terns; at least 16 Great White Egrets; with at least 50 Little Egrets spread out over the reservoir; a Ruff; three Green Sandpipers and a Common Sandpiper (but I only realised this bird was present when I processed the photo of about 30 Little Egrets in a tree near to the causeway, with other species of duck - and the Common Sandpiper - below it).

After a very welcome Cappuccino at the Visitor Centre - a solitary Spoonbills was seen at Wigborough Bay, but nothing much else of interest was seen. So, we called it a day. We’d seen a broad selection of species of birds; butterflies - and dragonflies - at Old Hall Marshes and Abberton. So, despite the long ‘short’ walk at Old Hall (which took its toll on me physically - although the guys felt it too) we’d enjoyed our visit enormously.

OLD HALL MARSHES

OLD HALL MARSHES

RUDDY DARTER (with very worn wings)

EMERALD DAMSELFLY

CHAROLAISE SHEEP (?)

SMALL HEATH BUTTERFLY

TIDAL CREEK TOWARDS TOLLESBURY

TIDAL CREEK

GREAT EGRET - ABBERTON

NORTHERN LAPWING

RUFF

HAMPSHIRE SHEEP (?) at WIGBOROUGH BAY

14 AUGUST 2025 – OARE MARSHES, KENT

An 8.00 a.m. start from my house saw us arriving at Oare Marshes Reserve shortly after 9.30 a.m. As we approached (in John’s newly acquired Black Landrover Discovery) it was immediately obvious that the marsh itself was almost wholly without water - due to the heat and lack of rain in recent weeks - so straight away we were unlikely to get a good number of wading birds. In addition, it was already quite hot, with a warm breeze, so it could prove quiet difficult walking around the reserve in the heat, which was likely to heighten as the morning wore on.

Our first objective was to locate the adult Bonaparte’s Gull that had been present over the past couple of weeks, having returned for the 14^th year in succession; but we were out of luck. But immediately a Wall (Brown) Butterfly was found opposite the slipway (where the Bonaparte’s had been seen that morning) so that kept me happy for a while trying to get decent photographs - although that proved harder than expected because the insect kept its wings very firmly shut, except for the initial sighting.

I was also hoping to see Clouded Yellow Butterflies, and a brief sighting gave us hope, but we only saw two that morning - both flight views as the insects flew rapidly past without settling. Mike saw a Painted Lady butterfly briefly, but most of the butterfly species seen were Large or Small Whites. We continued along the very dry path adjacent to the Swale Estuary, reaching the bird hide without seeing the Bonaparte’s Gull, or anything much else of interest. But it was extremely warm with quite a strong, warm breeze from the northeast (I think) so no wonder the butterfly and dragonfly activity were minimal.

Mike and I wandered on whilst John was talking to another birder, and along the path a few Wall butterflies were seen, together with Meadow Browns, Gatekeepers and the usual Whites. But suddenly, Mike had seen another butterfly resembling a Gatekeeper and/or Wall and which had a distinctly ‘bouncing’ and ‘zigzag’ type flight pattern not consistent with either. It was difficult to pin down, but eventually it settled briefly quite deep into a bramble where we could see the gingery colour, and finely ‘spotted’ pattern on the upper wings - which Mike said was consistent with it being a Queen of Spain Fritillary, of which he’d had extensive experience of in Spain and the Camargue in Southern France. The insect remained still for a few seconds but was soon in flight again disappearing into a dyke with thick brambles - and was never seen again; I didn’t even get the opportunity to take any photographs, and which would have been helpful for identification purposes.

The butterfly was a new species for me in the UK, and Mike’s second, and despite the relatively poor views, together with Mike’s experience of the species on the Continent and the details we did manage to observe, we were both happy with the identification. We also understand that another had been observed that morning near Gillingham, Kent - not too far away - but others had been observed at Oare recently and along the South Coast. Regrettably, John joined us too late to see the butterfly, and although we stayed at the location for a while, we didn’t get to have a second view.

We continued along the path in the direction of the second hide (situated overlooking the almost wholly dried watercourse on the reserve) observing at least three stunning male Southern Migrant Hawker dragonflies, as well as Ruddy and Common Darters - but with surprisingly no Damselfly species whatsoever (maybe the consequence of the continuing strong breeze - as dragonflies don’t usually fly much in such conditions).

We returned to the car for lunch, then opted to have another try for the Bonaparte’s, and were eventually rewarded with reasonable views with good comparison with nearby Black-headed Gulls. The bird was quite distant on the mudflats and was observed ‘paddling’ vigorously with its feet, for worms. It was in moult so only had a partial black hood, but its distinctive small, black bill was observed well, despite the distant views. Photos here were taken with a 100-400 mm telephoto - on full extension.

We continued along the path again up to the coastal hide with nothing else of much interest, until we turned back towards the slipway. At that point I seemed to lose all my energy in the heat and found it extremely difficult to continue. Mike kindly took my rucksack and John my binoculars, which only helped marginally, and I struggled all the way back until we reached the car again and I could rest inside and take refreshments, until I recovered.

On the way, a large flight of Whimbrel (totalling 45 individuals) calling continually, flew over the Swale but veered off southwards without Mike seeing them. It was the largest flock of Whimbrel I’d ever seen, and despite John giving me back my binoculars to view them, my condition didn’t allow me the level of interest the sighting warranted. Other birds seen here included several Little Egrets, a single Sandwich Tern, a distant Marsh Harrier, and a Hobby (which I missed).

After I’d recovered, we took the car down to look at the almost dried out pool, where a few Golden Plover and another Clouded Yellow Butterfly were seen (though not by me, as I stayed in the car - I’d had enough of the heat by then!).

The M2 motorway traffic was quite heavy at times, with a relatively slow journey up to the Dartford Crossing, arriving back home at mine at around 5.45 pm.

It had been a slightly disappointing day dragonfly-wise (despite good views of Southern Migrant Hawkers - though no photos were taken) but undoubtedly the highlight was finding the Queen of Spain Fritillary …………………. I wonder how long it would be before I get to see another??

WALL BUTTERFLY

WALL BUTTERFLY

WALL BUTTERFLY

BONAPARTE;S GULL (FOREGROUND)

BONAPARTE'S GULL

BONAPARTE'S GULL - 'PADDLING' FOR WORMS

 

 

 

6 AUGUST 2025 – THORLEY WASH

This was an unplanned visit to Thorley Wash. I should have attended a field meeting of the Stort Valley Nature Group at a site near Cannons Mill Lane north of Bishop’s Stortford on the River Stort for the purposes of measuring the water quality and undertaking some river ‘dipping’ for invertebrate life and other things - but my bus didn’t arrive. I didn’t want to be late by waiting for the next due bus as I didn’t know the exact venue on the river, so I decided instead to visit Thorley Wash - which didn’t involve a bus journey.

The morning was sunny and warm, with a stiff breeze which I knew might influence the number of butterfly and dragonfly species; and that was what I experienced as soon as I began travelling along the Stort Navigation, although initially my mood changed when I saw my first Swift at Thorley Wash since 2017 flying with a couple of Swallows. But my mood was deflated again when the lack of general insect life came very much to the fore.

I guess the not insubstantial breeze was partly to blame, but I’ve noticed this year has been extremely disappointing from the point of view of the number of flies and bees around - even worse than in 2024 - although apparently, butterfly numbers nationally have enjoyed a much better year than last year, when most species had a disastrous breeding cycle. But for the time being, I was seeing single butterflies only - the odd Red Admiral, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, and even Whites were almost entirely absent. And, until I reached the Reserve proper, no more than half a dozen Banded Demoiselle Damselflies, and only two Brown Hawkers were the only Odonata I was seeing.

Along the path and ‘avenue’ of trees and shrubs leading to the north and south segments of the reserve, I enjoyed a close encounter with a stunning female Southern Hawker - which was ‘hawking’ for prey, flying up and down the path, then occasionally flying up to me (seeming to take a good look) before turning back looking for somewhere to settle on a bramble in the sunshine - which it did, allowing me just the one opportunity to photograph it from a side angle. I had to make do with that. A male Migrant Hawker did the same thing, but no photo was obtained. A few (male) Speckled Wood butterflies spiralled with each other - whilst the odd Small White flitted through.

I continued round until I reached the western edge of the reserve and turned northwards along the ‘path’ (which had only recently been mowed); then I was stopped in my tracks. I don’t have any idea just how I managed to see the Willow Emerald Damselfly (a male) because most people would readily have missed it - resting on a plant (which I couldn’t identify) and almost invisible against its environment. The camera was already poised, so without wasting any time - in case the insect moved off - I took several well composed shots at varying angles - before it was gone and couldn’t be relocated. But I was happy enough, my first Willow Emerald of the year …………….and on ‘My Patch.’

I didn’t see another until I reached the ‘Water Vole’ seat on the north-eastern edge of the reserve, where I rested for 15 minutes for refreshments before continuing southwards along the eastern flank of the reserve - where I saw more several adults and even at least three pairs in tandem, and where once again the camera was busy for a while.

Exiting the reserve and back over the bridge I noticed two Mute Swans on the Stort, swimming northwards, and although I don’t usually take much notice of the species generally (as they are a common sight along the river) the scene presented a fine ‘contre-jour’ opportunity against the bright afternoon sunlight; so, I fired off a few shots accordingly.

I didn’t see any other species of dragonfly until halfway along the towpath northwards - a few Red Darters; at least three Ruddy Darters; more Brown Hawkers (by far the most predominant dragonfly); a few more male and female Banded Demoiselle, and four Emperor Dragonflies were observed. Butterfly species remained scarce with the ‘usual suspects’ only being observed. And then I saw a species of ‘duck’ on the river that completely flummoxed me - at least initially.

But it didn’t take me long to realise that it was a Mandarin Duck, a species I’d only ever seen once before at Thorley Wash in April 2014 when a stunning adult male flew past me in the early morning mist. This new bird appeared to be a juvenile - further observation revealed it to be a male, resting on a broken bough midstream - but it was extremely wary, so I fired off several quick shots before the bird took to the water again, moving swiftly south. I didn’t want to spook it further, so I left it alone.

I have to say that given the overall lack of rain in recent months, the vegetation along the river had massively increased since my last visit at the end of May (health issues and heart surgery prevented me from visiting until today). In particular, the invasive Himalayan Balsam, despite being an attractive plant in its own right, had taken hold along some stretches. Another - though more welcome species - was the Purple Loosestrife, which grew in large clumps along the banks. Rose-Bay Willow Herb was rampant - especially around the Black Poplar plantation on the Essex side - yet it made a pleasant viewpoint from the west bank of the Stort.

So, overall, quite a successful afternoon – the star species being the Willow Emerald Damselflies; the Southern Hawker, and the Mandarin. I was well satisfied. But I paid for it in terms of a swollen right ankle, and a painful right hip. One cannot win all the time it seems.

BROWN SHIELD BUG

FIGWORT SAWFLY

BROWN FIELD GRASSHOPPER

HIMALAYAN BALSAM

PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE

EAST SIDE - ACROSS THE STORT

'CAMOUFLAGED' RED ADMIRAL - VERY ALIVE!

MUTE SWANS

SOUTHERN HAWKER DRAGONFLY (F)

WILLOW EMERALD DAMSELFLY (M)

WILLOW EMERALD DAMSELFLY (M)

JUVENILE MALE MANDARIN

JUVENILE MALE MANDARIN