Strumpshaw Fen: some great odonatids to get the season rolling!

Brian and I had a walk around the reserve, heading westward and returning via Lackford Run. Predictably there were very few waders or anything else of note on the pools, but there were three Cuckoos (2m, 1f) and a couple of Redshank, as well as a single 'boomer'.

Lackford Run is the place for insects in early summer: we encountered scores of Banded Demoiselles, as well as three other species of damselfly: Large Red, Blue-tailed and Variable. Both Four-spotted and Scarce Chasers were drying themselves in the sunshine, while we had a brief glimpse of a Swallowtail - our first of the year.

I know the water levels have to be kept high to encourage Bitterns, but couldn't RSPB head office find a few quid to put in some islands in front of Tower Hide?