Rare migrants and common vagrants

Yesterday rare migrants, common vagrants, residents and fairly scarce summer visitors were spotted at the site. Unfortunately we also had some sightings of vermin. Olivia is going to dispose of an unpleasant looking purplefooted mouse



Ann tried to splat a common rat (rattus horribilis) whilst Steve supervised when to hit it.




























A new colourful species of butterfly was sighted. It got attached to this little boy













A dragonfly was spotted which is endemic to the site
This young visitor thought she'd take a duck home


This little boy thought the duck was a fake












Jack caught this new species of duck (anas plasticus)

(and a very pleasant summer party was enjoyed by all)

Mostly Insects

Here's an arty shot of a bumble bee on a flower in the butterfly garden.

A damselfly in the alligator's mouth.

OK, so this isn't an insect. It's the heron that's been a near permanent resident on the mere, taking off from the fallen tree.

A fly, on the bridge railing. Common, yes, but interesting in close-up all the same.