Ukwildlifeo + squishy's tour of Essex

Ukwildlifeo · #1 (**permalink**) 22-08-2011, 08:11 AM

This weekend Adam came down to Essex to 'see the sights' and we visited a few of the top sites around South and West Essex. First stop was Epping forest where we found some common lizards and grasshoppers basking on some silver birch logs. There were also 30+ migrant hawkers flying around hunting the insects in the morning sun, a great sight.

We then moved on to cornhill meadows, where there were not too many dragonflies. We did find Adam's first ever confirmed ruddy darter and at the top end there were lots of banded demioselles. We saw the males performing and chasing a female but by the time we got to a spot which let us down to the river level the sun had gone missing. The best shot I managed was this.

We also spotted a hawker dragonfly dip its head end on to the water suface as it flew along, presumably to get a drink?

But my favourite find of the site was this nursery web spider. I've seen very few this year and this one was on her web, gaurding her eggs.

The weather began to turn so we headed to Bedfords Park where we hid in the visitor centre for over an hour as the rain kept coming. But in the end the sun came out and we searched for wasp spiders with no luck. We did however find this rather large common toad

More to come (from me and adam)

Ukwildlifeo · #2 (**permalink**) 22-08-2011, 11:29 AM

Here's a pic of one of the common lizards mentioned earlier on the log in Epping Forest.

And a meadow grasshopper on the same log.

htcdude · #3 (**permalink**) 24-08-2011, 09:47 AM

Great pics Ukwildlifeo

Look forward to seeing/hearing more

Nige

Ukwildlifeo · #4 (**permalink**) 26-08-2011, 11:44 AM

Also down by the lake with the toad were a family of moorhens.

ANd while at cornmill meadows we found Adam's first confirmed ruddy darter.

Adam Cheeseman · #5 (**permalink**) 26-08-2011, 12:21 PM

Nice thread and pics Neil, but a tour of Essex! You know how to let your hair down.

Cheers,

Adam

squishy · #6 (**permalink**) 27-08-2011, 09:15 AM

Still some pics to come from me once I've edited them.
Stay tuned for the water rail chick

Wild-Woman · #7 (**permalink**) 27-08-2011, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

Nice thread and pics Neil, but a tour of Essex! You know how to let your hair down.

Cheers,

Adam

I'm touring Essex and south Suffolk next week with a work colleague who's as wildlife mad as I am. So Neil- watch out for two eccentric middle-aged ladies armed with cameras, sweep nets and a hint of madness!

pressld2 · #8 (**permalink**) 27-08-2011, 09:54 AM

Excellent stuff! I'm looking forward to seeing more.

Dave P.

Deb London · #9 (**permalink**) 27-08-2011, 04:25 PM

Good idea for a thread both. Love the enthusiasm, hope you had fun.

Also looking forward to Wild-Woman's "Rosemary & Thyme" version. Ha, ha.

mushroom fairy · #10 (**permalink**) 27-08-2011, 05:02 PM

lovely pics girls. Essex is under rated stereo typed . but we have a vast variety of wildlife and green places i live on the border of epping , in a more urban area, but i could show you where badgers live. Fox's and deer live and run .muntjac hide and fallow rut. all in one or two small areas. we have large common ,land near here which holds all sorts a variety of wild plants and fauna..it's not all night clubs and bingo lol i love it here if you know what you want to see and find it is all here.i'v lived here for 54 yrs and i call my self a country girl as i have lived and love it all since i was tiny.from fishing for minnows to watching weasels catch rabbits hope you enjoyed the day girls....