Maple Lodge Nature Reserve

An afternoon visit in unsettled conditions provided a few opportunities for a spot of photography. When the sun appeared from behind the clouds several species of butterfly made brief appearances, Holly Blue, Small White, Large White, Comma, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Ringlet and Meadow Brown. I even found a lone Marbled White flying low above the meadow, the first of the year. Dragonflies and Damselflies were also noted on the wing with Emperor Dragonfly, Black-tailed Skimmer, Common Blue Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly and Red-eyed Damselfly all seen. From Teal Hide I heard a singing male Cetti's Warbler while at the tern rafts several young Black-headed Gull had finally fledged.

                                                              
                                                           Emperor Dragonfly (female).