Visit to Noak Bridge Nature Reserve - 12th June 2020

Date: 12th June 2020

Time: from 8:30 a.m.

Weather: dry, sunny, moderate wind, 16°C to 18°C

This was my first visit to Noak Bridge Nature Reserve since 27th May 2020 due to having the use of a rental car from 30th May to 4th June 2020 inclusive and therefore wildlife watching elsewhere in Essex and further afield …. plus some relatively poor weather …. plus visiting the area around St. Nicholas Church more frequently to watch and photograph a Red Fox family.

It was nice to return to Noak Bridge Nature Reserve and I had a productive morning visit.

Whilst there are still birds singing, the frequency and intensity of spring song to attract mates and defend territories has reduced considerably as adult birds concentrate on attending their nests and rearing their young. What is now evident is the assortment of bird calls, particularly from the numerous fledglings of Blue Tit, Great Tit and Long-tailed Tit.

I was able to add 2 bird species to my site list, bringing the total to 33 species: House Martin (7 flying over) and Swift (heard only on 3 separate occasions). 

Whilst watching the House Martins, a Sparrowhawk drifted in to view.

I saw 2 Blackcaps, including a singing male and a red-headed female (which I rarely see) plus I heard 3 other singing males. In addition, I saw 2 singing male Chiffchaffs and heard another plus I saw a Great Spotted Woodpecker and heard another. 

There was a male and female Mallard on Puckles Pond.

I recorded and photographed 2 butterfly species on my visit, both of which were new records for my site list taking it to 11 species: Large Skipper (at least 4) and Meadow Brown (at least 8). Both these species were mainly favouring the grassy area just to the east of the junction of the main track with the track down from the Eastfield Road entrance although I did see a single of each species elsewhere on the reserve.

In the same area, I saw a Blue-tailed Damselfly and one of the smaller blue damselflies, either Common Blue Damselfly or Azure Damselfly.

The area around the Meadow Link to Fox Pond was alive with insects including a variety of bees, hoverflies, flies and beetles, most of which I could not identify.

Species recorded during this visit were as follows (heard only records in italics):

Swift

House Martin

Blackcap

Chiffchaff

Blue Tit

Great Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Robin

Wren

Dunnock

Blackbird

Song Thrush

Sparrowhawk

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Woodpigeon

Jay

Magpie

Mallard

Large Skipper

Meadow Brown

Blue-tailed Damselfly

Blue damselfly sp.

Here are some photos from my visit:

Photo: Large Skipper

Photo: Large Skipper

Photo: Large Skipper

Photo: Large Skipper

Photo: Meadow Browns

Photo: Meadow Browns

Photo: Meadow Brown

Photo: Meadow Brown

Photo: Blue-tailed Damselfly

Photo: Bumblebee species

Photo: Bumblebee species

Photo: Bumblebee species

Photo: Bumblebee species

Photo: Hoverfly species

Photo: Hoverfly species

Photo: Hoverfly species

Photo: Hoverfly species

Photo: Hoverfly species

Photo: Hoverfly species

Photo: Hoverfly species

Photo: Hoverfly species

Photo: Hoverfly species

Photo: Hoverfly species

Photo: ladybird larvae (presumed Seven-spot Ladybird)

Photo: Seven-spot Ladybird

Photo: Seven-spot Ladybird

Photo: False Oil Beetle

Photo: False Oil Beetle

Photo: Shieldbug species

Photo: Common Mallow

Photo: Common Mallow

Photo: Branble

Photo: Wild Rose

Photo: Wild Rose

Photo: Red Clover

Photo: Common Milkpea

Photo: Common Milkpea

Site totals to date:

Birds = 33

Mammals = 1

Butterflies= 11

Dragonflies and damselflies = 6

Reptiles = 1

Amphibians = 0

💚🦆 🦉 🌼 🌳💚

Stay safe, stay well, stay strong, stay connected with nature