A good hatching and sunshine.

Arriving at the reserve early was not a good idea, the air temperature was not yet up to flight temp and the exuvia whilst up and out of the water were not yet emerging. So after a check of the water , I had a couple of errands to run before I could get back to the Norfolk ditch.

The Large Reds had emerged nicely and were already on the wing coupled to their respective mates and ovipositoring in the ditch.

The Large red Damsel fly is one of the first to emerge in the spring and is particularly aggressive therefore you do not tend to find to many in a given area.

A fresh emergence colouring up in the Sunshine.

Below another of the monsters from the depths of the Norfolk ditch, and how lovely they look afterwards???
A Female blue tailed damselfly.

This newly emerged Four spotted chaser drys out in the morning sunshine until its wings are hard enough to separate it from the exuvia and finally moves to a more secluded spot, notice the Large reds exuvia higher up the stem.Looking for the reported Grasshopper warbler around hinnington cottages this Red legged partridge was particularly inquisitive.A trip on the previous day to Clunton coppice was an excellent day for Warblers in particular this Wood warbler.
I apologies for the delay in the posting of this blog but busy busy busy is the thing !!!

More to follow

Paul