Saturday 26 July 2008 - Alvecote Pools SSSI - 26/07/2008

Saturday 26th July 2008

Alvecote Pools SSSI

Despite it being over 30oC today I again failed in my quest to photograph any snakes.  Jeeez and I thought birds were tricky!  Along Linden Lane Common Whitethroats and Yellowhammers were in reasonable numbers.  Down on Mill Pool a single Northern Shoveler was the only wildfowl of note but the huge numbers of Broad-bodied Chasers and Emperor Dragonflies kept me entertained.  There were also small numbers of Ruddy Darters and Blue-tailed Damselflies in the area.  As for the butterflies Meadow Browns were again out in huge numbers with a scattering of Large Skippers and some freshly emerged immaculate looking Small Tortoiseshells.  A couple of Lesser Whitethroats were once again seen around Archer's Hedge and a Willow Warbler was heard briefly.  A possible Continental Cormorant, two adult Common Terns and two Common Kestrels were also in the area.

South View, Polesworth, Warwickshire

The highlight today was the spectacle of around 250 Black-headed Gulls circling high over the house this evening catching freshly emerged Flying Ants.  A Hobby was then seen to join in the feast before becoming distracted and chasing after a single House Martin.  The Hobby was quickly out manoeurved though and reverted back to an easier meal of insects.