A trip to the New Forest and Thursley primarily to look for 3 target species of Dragon's,resulted in us getting some excellant sightings of both birds and insects.The following, are the highlights of one of the best weekends birding and insect watching i have had.
Day one,New Forest Sites:
Latchmore Brook/Bottom. 9 Southern Damselfly(Target species no.1) 11 Beautiful Demoiselle 15 Scarce-blue tailed Damselfly(Target species no.2) 15 Keeled Skimmer 2 male Broad-bodied Chaser 26 Small-red Damselfly 40+ Silver-studded Blue 1 Harlequin Ladybird Bird highlights here, where a family of Stonechats and 1 Dartford Warbler.
Mill-Lawn Brook. 10 Beautiful Demoiselle male and female Broad-bodied Chaser 4 male Keeled Skimmer 9 Southern Damselfly 4 Small-red Damselfly
Hatchet Pond. 22 Keeled Skimmer 5 Small-red Damselfly 1 male Southern Damselfly 2 male Broad-bodied Chaser 1 male Downy Emerald 2 Dark-green Frittilary 12 Silver-studded Blue
Matley Bog. 2 male and 1 female Large-marsh Grasshopper(This is an incredibly rare grasshopper,and is the largest species in the uk.). 7 Keeled Skimmer 13 Small-red Damselfly 10 Silver-studded Blue
Farley mount Country Park 1 White Admiral 7 Dark-green Frittilary 30 Marbled White
Day 2,Thursley Common,Abbots Wood,(Alice Holt Forest).
Thursley Common. Several good birds where seen here,and they included,6 singing male Dartford Warblers,which gave stunning views,singing right out in the open,4 Woodlark,6+ Stonechat,Common Crossbill and 3 Redstart. The insect highlights where as follows: 1 female Golden-ringed Dragonfly 13 Keeled Skimmer 11 Silver-studded Blue 3 Small-red Damselfly 6 Black Darter 11 Emerald Damselfly 2 male Downy Emerald 1 male Brilliant Emerald(certainly living up to it's name,and absolutely stonking dragonfly!!).(Target species no.3.)
Abbots Wood,part of the Alice Holt Forest complex. The best sighting was quite unexpected,a pair of breeding Firecrest,which i picked up at first on call,the male then began to sing and we watched the pair as they flitted about in the fir trees,a fitting end to a cracking weekend.
Regards
Steve,with Dave Wright,Alan Dawes and Chris Atkin.
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