A willow emerald damselfly at cock ash lake near Sellindge this evening. Seems quite early this year. How does this compare with other records @marcheath.bsky.social
Unfortunately Jack had to head home but a very quick visit to a another site on the way home produced the expected Currant Clearwings . Pretty good week for insects despite the mixed weather. Hopefully more Clearwings and other super insects to come later in the year 🙂
🫣🫣🫣🧐😱😱😱😎😂
There was another reason why I wanted to visit Swanscombe marshes today . It was 35 years ago today that I found a Bridled Tern flying alongside a White-winged Tern found earlier in Essex, just offshore in the Thames.Happy days . The site has changed considerably over the years but is still great😊
📣 Applications are now open for the Martin Garner Spurn Young Birder Competition 2026!
If you're aged 16 or under and passionate about birding, this is your chance to compete at #MigFest2026 and win some fantastic prizes.
⏰ Applications close 19 July
🔗 tinyurl.com/MGSYB2026
Please share!
A few more photos of Red-veined Darter at Swanscombe marshes watching. Plus the Lesser Emperor.
I met up with @snapsjackel.bsky.social and his wife in Kent today . We saw a few bits including Spotted Flycatcher, plenty of Heath Fritillaries and a superb Yellow-legged Clearwing . It was a good catch up talking about the good old days 🙂👌
Brilliant hour this afternoon in a brief weather window at Swanscombe marshes watching Red-veined Darters found by Kelly Ann yesterday. We managed a minimum of 15 individuals including two pairs of. Also a superb Lesser Emperor. The site had a single RVD a few years ago but not seen more until now
Barry Wright
Barry Wright
Barry Wright
Barry Wright
Barry Wright
Derek Smith
Spurn Bird Observatory
Excellent day out in the end. Swanscombe Marshes produced 15+ Red veined Darter and 1 Lesser Emperor. A very breezy Oare Marshes PM produced 10 Dainty Damselfly (6 teneral) 70+ Ruddy Darter and 25+ Scarce Emerald Damselfly. @britishdragonflies.bsky.social @smallshire.bsky.social #KentDragonflies
Male Red veined Darters from Swanscombe Marshes, Kent yday. NEW photos @ marcheath.blogspot.com. @britishdragonflies.bsky.social @smallshire.bsky.social @bbcspringwatch.bsky.social #KentDragonflies #odonata #Teamdragonfly
Barry Wright
Marc Heath
Marc Heath
🪶 Birds masturbate.
🦜 This is normal, and not (as often is believed) a maladaptive behaviour only found in captivity.
🍑 Pet bird owners - chill, and let your budgie have some fun.
🧪 Study of masturbation in 120 bird species, by @matildabrindle.bsky.social:
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
