More Migrant Hawker action

 

A few more photos from earlier in the week.

Showy Black Stork

This young Black Stork showed down to 10 metres, when we visited earlier in the month. A great way to add the species to Dad's British list. 

 

Migrant Hawkers on the wing

This summer has been brilliant for dragonflies—not just in numbers, but in variety too. Several species have been expanding their range around the Peterborough area, and Migrant Hawkers have been particularly abundant at Deeping Lakes LWT.

I spent some time earlier this week trying to get better flight shots of these striking insects. Historically, dragonflies in flight have always been tricky for me—fast, erratic, and often just out of reach of a good frame. But this time, I had a bit more luck and managed to come away with images I'm genuinely pleased with.

Migrant Hawkers are smaller than some of the other hawkers, but their blue and yellow markings, paired with their delicate wing structure, make them truly eye-catching. Watching them patrol sunlit patches of reedbed and water margins is a summer highlight—and now I finally have a few sharp shots to remember it by!

Local Wasp Spider

Took Dad to see the local Wasp Spiders yesterday evening and we found three individuals. This was the most 'photogenic'. Great creatures!

Juvenile Wood Sandpiper

 

Deeping Lakes continues to surprise this summer. I’ve honestly never seen East Pit look so dry — the water level has dropped significantly, exposing wide stretches of mud and lifting the crassula well above the waterline. While unusual for this time of year, the conditions have created ideal habitat for passage waders.

On Thursday morning, I managed to connect with the juvenile Wood Sandpiper found the day before. It gave fantastic views in the early morning sun. This is the second I've seen here this year, after a spring adult. It's turning into quite a good year for waders at Deeping Lakes.