Green Hairstreak

Bystock Pools, Devon 

I decided to give the birds a rest today and focus on other winged critters. I do love Butterflies and Dragonfies so I popped to my best local place in search of some good species. This Small reserve never fails to deliver on both families I was targeting. My Butterfly species seen were, Green Hairstreak, Marbled White, Silver-washed Fritillary, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Heath, Peacock and Common Blue. 

Far more Dragonfly species were on offer with Black-tailed Skimmer, Keeled Skimmer, Emperor Dragonfly, Large Red Damselfly, Four-spotted Chaser, Golden-ringed Dragonfly, Beautiful Demoiselle, Common Blue Damselfly and Common Darter.

It was also nice to see numerous Common Spotted Orchids in the meadow area. I didn't have one good bird moment with a day churring European Nightjar. I couldn't locate it though. 

White Bridge, Budleigh Salterton

I moved on to the River Otter as I haven't visited here for a while. I managed to add Red Admiral, Large White and Banded Demoiselle to the day list.

Beautiful Demoiselle (Female)

Keeled Skimmer (Male)

Large Red Damselfly (Male)

Black-tailed Skimmer (Female)

Six Spot Burnet

Small Heath

Marbled White 

Large Skipper 

Green Hairstreak 

Beautiful Demoiselle (Male)

Emperor Dragonfly 

Large Red Damselfly (Pair)

Black-tailed Skimmer (Male)

Banded Demoiselle (Male)

Common Spotted Orchid

Large Yellow Underwing in the
garden the other day

Common Firecrest

Axe Undercluffs, Seaton, Devon 

I popped here today for a quick loon for Butterflies. A few Wood White on offer but none wanted their picture taken. But a Common Blue was obliging.

Common Blue (Male)

Undisclosed Site, Near Exmouth, Devon 

I wanted to visit a few of my old haunts in the Exmouth area. I won't say where I saw these as they maybe in a breeding location but at least 2 Common Firecrest were rather showy. So close in fact, I couldn't phone scope a picture so I could only take heavily zoomed phone picture. Not the greatest but you get the jist.

Common Firecrest 

Common Firecrest

Common Firecrest

Common Firecrest 

River Warbler

Ham Wall, Somerset 

The lure of this amazing lifer was too great today so I popped up this evening. I also gained a companion for the trip. Kevin Hale joined me for this great bird. Once on site and on route a fellow birder advised us its really showy, so we were confident we would see it. We could hear the bird reeling on our approach and we're on to the bird before even setting up scopes. The reports say "showing well" and they aren't lying. The whole time we were there it only went into cover for around 15 minutes. I wish every lifer was as easy as this. Also on site was a stunning Male Western Marsh Harrier, 1 Great Egret and plenty of Common Swift. On the way back to the car Kevin got a Eurasian Bittern that I missed. A great bird and great to meet and chat with Kevin. A very enjoyable evening.

River Warbler 

River Warbler 

River Warbler