Paxton Pits visit - many birds and odonata!

21st May 2025 - a small group of four ventured round Paxton Pits Nature reserve. Around the smaller southern pits a good number of passerines were seen and heard, including six species of warbler and a Cuckoo, and a couple of Mute Swan, a few Mallard and Coot graced the water. 

We then followed the path along the River Ouse where, in the tall grasses alongside the path were literally hundreds of damselflies and dragonflies which could be viewed at surprisingly close quarters. Particularly abundance were Banded Demoiselle and Scarce Chaser, of which both adult males and females, and immature forms could be found. Both Common Blue Damselfly and Red-eyed Damselfly were also present as well as a few female Black-tailed Skimmer resting on the path. All rather lovely.

The larger pits held a few Cormorant, as well as Great White Egret and Little Egret and Grey Heron, with both Black-headed Gull and Common Tern starting to nest on the floating platforms. Apart from the odd Sand Martin, there were surprisingly few hirundines around, and similarly, few butterflies were seen, just a few Red Admiral - perhaps due to the chillier northerlies at present.

A good trip, with a total of 39 bird species identified and five odonata species, as well as three other insect species.

Banded Demoiselle, male

Banded Demoiselle, female

Red-eyed Damselfly, female

Common Blue Damselfly, adult

Common Blue Damselfly, immature

Common Blue Damselfly, immature

Scarce Chaser, male immature

Scarce Chaser, male immature

Scarce Chaser, female immature

Scarce Chaser, female

Scarce Chaser, male

Black-tailed Skimmer, female

Tree Bumblebee (dark form) in nestbox

Mayfly

Sedge Warbler

Grey Heron

Common Tern

Coot, bathing

Great White Egret, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Little Egret

Great Crested Grebe

Tufted Duck, male

[photos Andy M]