Site Visit 13/07/13
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"The call of the marsh in this sunshine was over-powering and the treats began as soon as I headed towards the footpath as there were three Beautiful Demoiselles (two males one female) hanging out on the gorse, and I saw 4 more during the afternoon. At the lake there were hundreds of damsels, nearly all Azures and dozens of couples in wheel position or ovipositing. There were plenty of larger Dragons, mostly Four-spot Chasers but also at least one Emperor patrolling. Down at the marsh the lack of rain is really noticable, the scrape is down to about 2 inches (thats 50mm for the youngsters ) of water. The first half of the marsh is still teeming with action but the far end was really quiet, perhaps because it is really dry. For the butterfly enthusiasts there were plenty of Ringlets, a couple of Meadow Browns and several Gatekeepers. I also saw what I think was a Burnet moth of some type but it wouldn't settle. On the walk back there was a large dragonfly hunting up and down the path which I think was a hawker possibly a Southern Hawker from the colourways as it flew very close to my head on several passes!" (Gary Barlow)