A group of six Nature Group members met at 9 am at Summer Leys Nature Reserve on a cool breezy but dry morning on Saturday. Penny had already photographed a Marsh Harrier from one of the hides! As it was still too cool for insects, we made our way down the main track stopping at the hide en route where there was a lot of wader activity and a Little Egret very close. Some of the group spent time at the Bird feeding station while other continued to the Dragonfly look-out area and the pond. We spent a considerable time trying to work out the shutterspeed required for hovering Migrant Hawkers to stop their wing motion - seemed even at 1/8000th there was still motion at the tips. After lunch, we concentrated on the insect life which was enjoying the Fleabane flowerheads. A final trip to the main hide gave good views of Snipe and a hunting Great White Egret and Phil managed to photograph the single visiting Ruff.
Images by Ann Miles, Ian Willis, Penny Reeves and Phil Gravett
For more events to attend go to Nature (rps.org)
