The fine weather has continued into October, which has enabled dragonflies to continue to survive, although night frosts will no doubt signal their eventual demise. In the meantime there are southern hawker males patrolling the ponds, and females visiting to lay eggs (oviposit). Common darters can still be seen around the reserve, gleaning heat from south facing paths that are in full sun.
The odd speckled wood butterfly can be seen, and do keep an eye out for painted lady. These are continuously brooded and some of the offspring from the huge influx last May still survive. Sadly, they won't survive even a mild winter.
Red admirals are a little bit tougher and can make it through light frosts, and there have been reports of a late influx from Europe so these are worth watching out for. They seem to favour the slope past the paddock where there are ivy flowers growing.
Incidently, I got a message from a regular who has asked if there were kingfishers along the brook. I have seen one once or twice in previous years although none this year. I don't think they nest in the reserve and they're easily disturbed so I think you have to be lucky to catch a glimpse of them, but they do visit from time to time so watch out for them. Dippers are more regularly seen and in the spring have reared young.
A common darter tandem pair ovipositing in the garden pond.
He will stay attached as she deposits eggs into the water, preventing other males from mating with her until she has given his offspring a chance.
A painted lady. Although this one was snapped at Blagdon Lake, the Willsbridge reserve benefits from being in a sheltered valley and can support butterflies well into autumn. This individual was snapped on October 10th.
