Cuckoo

Sunny, 19°, breezy NE.

A couple of new species for the year. Cuckoo. Initially heard by RB on Saturday near the Bunk Line and then the following day at Cholsey Marsh with another on the other side of the river.

Alan heard the Cuckoo again today plus a Common Tern flying up-river and a Hobby overhead.

Also found a Black-tailed Skimmer along the river and a Broad-bodied Chaser a few days earlier. The 13th & 14th species of dragonfly for this year.

Cuckoo from a couple of years back at Cholsey Marsh

Small Blue courtesy Alan

Broad-bodied Chaser courtesy Alan

The Thames & The Lees

Prolonged sunny period, 25°, light SSW.

A walk out to the Lees and surprised how many Yellow Wagtail around, 14 counted possibly comprising 5-6 pairs?

Several Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer, Skylark, Common Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff and a single Grey Heron.

Alan along the river, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting, Nuthatch etc.

Mammals: Muntjac Deer.

Dragonflies: Banded Demoiselle, Large Red Damselfly, Azure Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly, Emperor Dragonfly.

River: Banded Demoiselle, Common Blue Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Azure Damselfly, White-legged Damselfly, Emperor, Four-spotted Chaser, and Black-tailed Skimmer.

Butterflies: Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Orange Tip, Common Blue, Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown & Small Heath.

River: Brimstone, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Small Heath.

All butterflies in small numbers.

Black-tailed Skimmer courtesy Alan

Reed Bunting

Yellow Wagtail

Reed Bunting

Sedge Warbler

Painted Lady

Pied Wagtail

Dragons

A few pics of Dragonflies at Cholsey Meadows yesterday & today.

All photos by Alan Dawson.

 4-spot Chaser

 Black-tailed Skimmer

Emperor egg laying