Maybe not the best day, with the temperature up to 30°, for our all day visit to Paxton Pits nature reserve near St. Neots. Unsurprisingly for this time of year birds were not exactly abundant! We did hear a Cuckoo, along with many Chiffchaff and Blackcap. A few were actually seen, mainly water birds like Grey Heron, Great Crested Grebe, Coot, Moorhen, Tufted Duck, Cormorant, Common Tern and Black-headed Gull, whilst those that didn’t complete the afternoon’s circuit saw Reed Bunting and SparrowHawk.
What was lacking bird wise was made up by the dragonfly and butterfly sightings! The former included Banded Demoiselle, Azure and Common Blue Damselfly, Brown Hawker, Norfolk Hawker, Emperor, Scarce and Four-spot Chaser and Black-tailed skimmer. Those that endured the heat for the complete afternoon circuit added Emerald and Red-eyed Damselfly. Butterflies seen were Large White, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Red Admiral, Comma and Essex Skipper.
By the time we all got back to the centre, never was an ice cream so welcome! All photographs below courtesy of Graham.
Bruce White
