Wednesday 30th May

A brief visit today. The first species of note was a Red Admiral near the Water Works entrance followed by a teneral Black Tailed Skimmer, my first here this year - it perched briefly not far from the bridge by the divers car-park.

Teneral Black Tailed Skimmer

Wandering through the East scrub I heard my first Nightingale of the day, with a second shortly after by the pylon in the west scrub area, as well as several Whitethroat, a Willow Warbler and a Garden Warbler. I managed to take a picture of a Common Blue which was quite difficult as it was deep in the vegetation, but I managed not to disturb it.

Common Blue

Also here was my first Bee Orchid of the year and my first Southern Marsh Orchid of this season. Also a few Common Spotted Orchid that are just coming into bloom in this area.

Bee Orchid

Southern Marsh Orchid

Over to the West scrub which is full of noisy Starling families I added a Mistle Thrush and Green Woodpecker. Also here 3 Common Lizard and 6 Slow Worm.

Although a little further than I normally travel I went to Stockbury Wood about 10 miles away and took some snaps of Birds Nest Orchid and Lady Orchid. I have put the pictures here in case anyone is interested.

Birds Nest Orchid

Lady Orchid