Leighton - Osprey

My luck wasn't in where Osprey at VP was concerned during the Spring so I nipped down the road to Leighton where one seemed settled down (albeit distantly) feeding on the local fish population!

Here's the latest takeaway, a large Chub?

It took nearly half an hour before the fish stopped flicking its tail!

Eventually feeding and joined by an interested onlooker!

A short video of the Osprey feeding (view full screen)...

Venus Pool - Grey Plover

I haven't had a new Venus Pool tick since the short staying Pied Flycatcher dropped in on 10th April 2021! Was 2023 going to be the year something new was going to arrive? You betcha it was...

I had a nervous wait however as I was tied up all morning! Fingers were crossed as I walked down to the main hide early afternoon, hoping that the 2 cy Grey Plover found by John Martin was going to stick around?

It did!!

A very nervous bird keeping a look out for trouble!

My luck was in as I swapped hides, where it was showing really well! Slowly walking along the margin and having a nibble here and there...

Missing out on some Damselflies here!

Suddenly the nearby Oyk's erupted to tackle an uninvited guest, near enough to spook the Plover!

Poised for a quick exit...

A nice flash of the black axillaries as it flew! 

But I kept the take-off shot for last :-)

It didn't go too far but the middle island was just way too far after enjoying such great views in fantastic light..

My fourth for the Shire and long awaited for most of the local VP listers too! I wonder how long I'll have to wait for the next tick?

Shropshire - Dragon and Damselflies

An excellent couple of hours at a private site produced my first images for the year of Emperor Dragonfly...

A bright blue male...

Four-spotted Chaser...

Female Black-tailed Skimmer blending in with the vegetation...

Azure Damselflies copulating...

Also on show, male Variable Damselfly...

A pair of Variables, seen here mating...

And the female Variable by herself...

Male Red-eyed Damselfly...

A female Blue-tailed Damselfly (infuscans form)

Two styles of copulation, both Common Blue Damselfly...

Plus a female Banded Demoiselle...

Whixall Moss - White-faced Darters

The floods may not have been an obliging place for the Spotted Redshank due to distance but after taking loads of soon to be deleted images taken from the Canal towpath, I figured the Moss may be the place to be?

There were some stunning fresh looking White-faced Darters just waiting for me!

I don't think I've ever photographed two together?!

Two pairs mating!

Fun in the scum with another pair mating, plus a couple of Moss specialities...

A Raft Spider waiting for dinner to be served?

Plus an unexpected Common Lizard paddling away!

Maybe my favourite?

They are always worth paying an annual homage....