Six-belted Clearwing

Our first attempt at the pond this morning was thwarted by thick fog after overnight rain so enjoyed a lazy breakfast till it burned off. By the time we arrived it was warming up nicely and we had 3 Little Egret, 10 Common Tern, Common Sandpiper and 2 Yellow Wagtail on our walk to toft shallows where there were family parties of Bullfinch and Blackcap plus 2 Treecreeper and plenty of young Great-crested Grebes riding piggy back. Gave up on counting Yellow-legged Gull but must be getting on to at least 10 present of various ages. Once we had cooled down in the visitor centre meeting with up with Paul and Martyn we moved on to Stockton Cutting and with the help of Paul’s pheromones attracted 13 Six-belted Clearwings and later an Emerald Damselfly. Nuthatch and Kingfisher noted here before we called in on The Boat for a welcome pint as the temperatures rose to 25c.

Six-belted Clearwing by Bob Hazell