Thursday 2 September 2010

Shibdon Pond and babes in the wood?.........not likely

While all eyes were trained on Spotted Crakes, Green Sandpipers, Greenshanks and the like i was enjoying this little beauty.
      this juvenile Dunnock was "doing it" for me.
I must admit i did take a peek at the above mentioned birds before heading out to my favourite place, the reed beds where i enjoyed views of this stonker.
      a male Southern Hawker patrolling his patch and getting a bit of grief, it has to be said, from a Common Darter who had claims on one particular corner of the pond and was not too pleased when this guy flew over and intercepted despite the difference in size. A noticeable shortage of butterflies before i left for Thornley Woods, not for the hide but to look for a small pond in a clearing that i had encountered a couple of years ago. BINGO, stumbled across it almost immediately and first sights were of this little lady.....

      ovipositing continually along the side of the timber walkway next to the water. I was joined after 20 mins. or so by a lady with her daughter and 2 other children in her care. I was most taken by the amount of interest the kids were showing in the dragonfly and one of them even spotted a male which had appeared on the far bank. A lesson in the ID of dragons followed for the next 20 mins. along with explaining that the female was laying eggs. Everything was going well until the male came over to the female and there was a bit of a kerfuffle. "Look" i said "their having a fight" at which point they coupled together and flew off. I could see the kids looking at me and wondering, " they have flow off to get married!" i blurted out, looking at the mother who was wetting herself laughing under her breath and winking as if to say, you got out of that well. An observation from the lady saying that she had been in the woods for a couple of hours and had seen no other children. Commenting " If you call in the Metro Centre it's packed."       A sad truth.
But it made for a very peaceful couple of hours nevertheless. I might venture back up and down the coast again.
" SCHOOLS BACK "   Mr. Cooper.
NO, not Tommy, stupid.

8 comments:

  1. As you say John - Stonker, I'm turning green!
    Dick

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  2. Oh, i forgot to mention Dick. The female featured in the last 2 images decided to alight on my good self to possibly try po lay a few eggs!
    Don't tell the missus mind.
    Can you remember which species landed on your good lady? I've really gotten into dragons and damsels this summer and read that the Southern Hawker shows quite an interest in humans.
    They are all stonkers, i reckon.
    cheers,
    John

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  3. John, those that visited Sylvia were Common darters at Cresswell. I'm fascinated by them and have found that the Southern hawker will give you a good look in the eye before moving on.
    Dick

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  4. Dick,
    I've found the Common Darters come very close also. While at Shibdon i had one on the boardwalk very close to me all the time i was there. It only left my side when people passed me on the boardwalk. It came back and rested close by as soon as the people passed.
    John

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  5. The photo of the juvenile Dunnock is just beautiful. :)

    I bet those kids weren't taken in by your 'fairy tales'! lol

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  6. Lesley,
    I love juvenile birds whatever species. i like the variations from their parents and the downy feathers. The Dunnock was a perfect example.
    Bet the kids were laughing to themselves also. It WAS great to speak to some really nice and polite children for a change.
    John

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  7. Great tale Johnny, you did well to get an inflight pic of the Male Southern Hawker, Ive never managed to get one other than at rest. Linda

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  8. Funnily enough Linda i've never seen ANY male Hawker at rest. In my limited experience the Southern Hawkers have been the easiest to get close to. The best part of it was talking to the children and i think some brilliant stories come to light when kids are involved.
    John

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