Not just for birds!

Had a nice lunchtime trip to CB today, it was very warm and pleasant. I decided to look a bit closer today and try my hand at photographing some butterflies, flowers & dragonfiles too.

I walked tag loop and picked up this Small Tortoiseshell

A little further around I came across this Large Red Damselfly which was a first (of many im sure) for me. 

Also spotted these lovely flowers alongside the path not far from the iron stream, not sure what they are?

These also caught my eye (again no idea what they are!)

It was pretty quiet around here in terms of birds, Willow Warbler, Chiffy & Long Tailed Tit & I thought I heard a Whitethroat calling along the old canal but unable to find it.
I carried on round to the feeding station where 3 Bullfinch (2 males, 1 female) were feeding on the ground, and one was eating from the seed table.

I crossed the river and heard numerous Whitethroats along the riverside, at least 5 possibly more. A few Goldfinch flew over and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was continuously calling from the other side of the river.

Looking over the main lake I could hear a Reed Warbler in full song but still unable to connect, seems to be too far away, (somewhere in the middle of the reedbed) to be seen. A single Coot with 1 young was on the lake, surprised to only see one but its better than none at all!

As I crossed between the lakes I heard 2 Reed Buntings calling to each other from either lake and a couple of Wrens in full song. I then realised what time it was and quickly headed back up the canal path for a more direct route, en-route I heard a Chiffchaff really going for it but not in its typical call, it was more like a chaff-chaff-chaff-chaff-chiff!

Another enjoyable visit to this wonderful reserve.

List:

Long-Tailed Tit

Wren

Robin

Chiffchaff

Bullfinch

Reed Warbler

Great Tit

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Goldfinch

Coot

Mallard (on the river with 7 young)

Whitethroat

Reed Bunting

Chaffinch

 Andy