Strumpshaw Fen RSPB

A trip to Strumpshaw Fen RSPB for Swallowtail Butterfly.  What a treat and so very lucky to have happened across newly emerged specimens and such a beautiful thing too.  Today was the first day of real warmth for a while, so the butterflies were just enjoying basking in the summer sunshine.

There were at least seven Painted Lady on site today.

Plenty of wonderful Odanata and inverts too.  At least three Hairy Dragonfly were seen and half a dozen of these Scarce Chasers.

Then this brute parked up on the path - an emergent Black-tailed Skimmer taking in the warmth of the sun.

There were some interesting insects too like these Cinnamon Bug and Shield Bug.

An immigrant Silver Y was enjoying the sunshine too.

Damselflies seen today were the Large Red, Common Blue, and this Blue-Tailed.

The were plenty of Marsh Harrier on site with reportedly ten breeding pairs.  A Hobby shot through mid-afternoon.