June started with sunny days and wet days and still cold, and everyone was wondering when summer, in all her finery, was going to arrive.
We started the month with a visit to the RSPB wetland site at Earith.
The RSPB are working with Hanson to transform a working sand and gravel quarry into Ouse Fen nature reserve along side the River Ouse.
The reserve is being created in reedbed blocks, with pools of open water linked by ditches and channels, allowing wildlife to move freely. Once complete, the whole wetland will stretch 700 hectares and include the largest reedbed in the UK, spanning 460 hectares.
Exciting for us as its not far from home.
Its only been about 20 years since this project was started and they already have Booming Bitterns in residence. We saw five on this particular day.
We also spotted a small group of Bearded Reedlings but they were not in the mood to hang about to have their pictures taken.
The bird we really went to find was the Great Reed Warbler. A rare migrant to this country. He was putting on such a concert, you couldn’t miss him. He was singing loudly from one bit of reed bed to another but in the same area, and it seemed as though sometimes he was throwing his voice as his song sounded to be coming from one spot when he was somewhere else. Bless him. He was trying so hard to attract a mate but that was not going to happen because he was in the wrong place. He should have been back in Spain or one of the other mediterranean countries.
Another bird singing his heart out was this Reed Bunting. He had lots of competition as there were so many of these little birds all over the reserve.
We found a freshly emerged Emperor Dragonfly and if you look closely you can see he is munching on a Ladybird. There is something very prehistoric looking about dragonflies and it is such a shame that loss of wetland habitat threatens dragonfly populations around the world. Beautiful creatures.
A bit tatty but still lovely, a Peacock Butterfly.
Has anyone noticed how Ox Eye Daisies are everywhere this year, Nature Reserves, roadsides, central reservations on motorways, scrub land, and meadows. Good news for pollinators.
The last thing we expected to see whilst having a having a leisurely breakfast one morning was a freshly emerged Norfolk Hawker Dragonfly sunning itself on the fence in our little garden. The Norfolk Hawker is one of two brown hawker dragonflies found in Britain and is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. Where he came from we do not know as we only have a tiny pond so maybe a neighbours pond.
Historically it was only found in the Broads area of Norfolk and Suffolk, but it is now spreading around to other counties.
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The distinguishing features of the Norfolk Hawker is the yellow triangle and green eyes. He is yet to get his green eyes, which gives them the nickname Green-Eyed Dragonfly in some areas.
The Hibiscus shrub in the garden was just coming into leaf, and for a few days was alive with Ladybird Larvae. We spotted one, then another and then we saw they were crawling everywhere. We hadn’t seen so many in one spot ever, good for the garden. Perhaps not too good for the environment though,as looking these up it appears they may be Harlequin ladybird which are an invasive species and is threatening our native ladybirds in some areas. They are being monitored so we dutifully logged these on the CPERC recording site.
The Ladybird Larvae now turning into Pupa form.
With a promise of more rain later in the day we spent a quick morning at Wood Walton Fen, and Dragonflies were making the most of the sun. A Female Black Tailed Skimmer munching on something.
It was still very wet and walking was restricted to only a few main pathways around the fen.
A Four Spot Chaser
A Scarce Chaser
A Common Tern. A few pairs breed here on man made rafts.
Male Marsh Harrier
Hobbies were just too quick.
Water Voles are really cute and a good place to see them is RSPB Fowlmere. Their home is the small but beautiful River Shep which is a fine example of a chalk stream. Brown Trout can also be seen in the crystal clear water. The River Shep rises from springs at the nature reserve. It then flows north through Shepreth village to join the River Cam (also called the River Rhee) at Barrington.
Sorry, but just had to share another picture of the lovely rare Water Vole.
Apologies,not the best quality picture as against the light and along way off. The Marsh harrier bringing in a skinned rabbit to feed the young.
Reed Warblers were flitting about in the reed beds in front of the hide. We were a bit late to the party this spring, as Cukoos, Hobbies, Barn Owls, and a Heron fishing catching small Jack Pike have been seen from the hide this year, and a Stoat family have been seen regulary crossing the path. Still we cant be everywhere.
A few days away to visit friends in Poole and Summer arrived the same time as we did. The hot weather took us all by surprise as believe it or not it had been quite cool in Dorset up to then. This was the view from the cafe patio at Durlston Country Park, Swanage, looking across to Old Harry Rocks and Bournemouth in the distance. It was so hot we had to move into the shade.
There are several walks in the park and we decided to take the coastal path, thinking a sea breeze would make it a bit cooler, what sea breeze? Looking across to the Isle of Wight, we could have been in the mediterranean. Beautiful coastline and on this particular day the sea was a stunning colour.
This was not a birding trip but we couldn’t resist capturing Fulmars as they glided along just a little way from the edge of the cliff.
Another gorgeous day, and another stop for coffee and a cider on our dog walk, looking out across Poole Harbour.
So, if you have never been to Poole, let us just say, they do like their posh boats.
Eva could not resist a swim, and the thing is, this is a dog walking spot along the harbour with many dogs chasing balls into the sea, and Eva just had to join in the fun, but they weren’t her tennis balls !
Eva with a friend. What is it about dogs and walls……….Note, Eva is still watching the other dogs swimming in the sea. She does like making friends and being where the action is.
Back home and we discovered a Marbled White in the local meadow. Never seen one here before. One of the butterflies that looks just as pretty with its wings closed as it does with them open.
One lone Pyramidal Orchid on the edge of the meadow.
A small and furry Small Skipper butterfly. Insects are starting to appear now but they still seem to be very low on numbers this year. The cold wet spring has not been good for them.
The Ladybirds in the garden have started to emerge and yes, they are Harlequin Ladybirds.
So summer was a long time arriving this year and June did turn out to be Flaming June in the end. Lets hope it continues into July.