Dowitcher, Dragons, Damsels and a Purple Heron

Friday 27th - Sunday 29th July 2012
The adult Long-billed Dowitcher at WWT Slimbridge
I made a third visit to WWT Slimbridge for the LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER on Friday afternoon, hoping to see it more active than it was last Sunday and on Tuesday evening. It was asleep again most of the time, but thankfully did perk up for a few minutes, long enough to get some half-decent photos at least.
The Dowitcher in the company of Redshanks and Black-tailed Godwits
Having a scratch
On Saturday, news of a PURPLE HERON had me heading for Coombe Hill Meadows. By the time I was able to get there after earlier duties, it had become quite elusive. Although mainly concealed, somewhat distantly amongst vegetation, it did make regular short flights providing nice views of this juvenile bird.
Purple Heron - barely a record shot!
Below is a few photos from a sensitive forest site, where I connected with two male RED-VEINED DARTERS along with an Emporer, a Four-spotted Chaser and several Broad-bodied Chasers and Black-tailed Skimmers. Nearby I found a Golden-ringed Dragonfly.
Red-veined Darter - a UK tick
Emperor Dragonfly
Golden-ringed Dragonfly - usually seen dashing up and down one of the forest brooks
Broad-bodied Chaser
This morning I almost managed to dodge the showers at Laymoor Quag, near Cinderford in the Forest of Dean, looking for Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly. I had no luck with them, but on a larger, sheltered pool were several Emerald Damselflies which provided nice consolation.
Male Emerald Damselfly
Immature male
The sun did come out for a short time, before the thundery rain

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