Peter Jones Wildlife blog

A maxi-beast today! The Beluga, first seen on the Thames on Tuesday, fortunately stayed until the weekend when I could take a look, and showed well on Saturday morning. Seemed at home in the estuary, albeit hundreds of miles south of their normal range. Managed a short clip of it surfacing, which was extremely difficult. The fast current and infrequent surfacing made it tough. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-EWKCXrIvM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-EWKCXrIvM

Spent a couple of days in East Anglia. Willow Emerald Damselfly, and Water Shrew the targets. The weather took a turn for the worse before I left, which almost caused me to cancel, but I took the gamble. Saturday at Titchwell was very bleak, and it was starting to look like the Damselfly, known to have colonised part of the reserve, would not show. Luckily, late morning, the sun broke through, and after half an hour or so, the sun finally emerged into a patch of blue sky, and dragonflies suddenly appeared everywhere. A Willow Emerald soon followed, and I watched it land. Good views were had, not so good photos obtained, and it stayed on this branch all day, giving others the chance to see it. Very lucky! Sunday at RSPB Fowlmere failed to turn up a Water Shrew, but I did find Brown Trout and Signal Crayfish in the small river, and a Weasel near the car park.

A good week continues, with a nice Otter sighting locally, followed by Many Daubenten's Bats on my annual Waterways Bat survey. Daubenten's are quite distinctive in their flight style, skimming over calm waters just a few centimetres above the surface.

Took a break during my monthly Reptile survey in the New Forest, and walked to nearby Wilverley plain, which is good for Autumn Ladies Tresses, a late flowering Orchid. Took a few minutes to find one, then as often happens, you realise they are everywhere! a small number where coming into flower, some a straight, other corkscrewed. All just a couple of inches high in the short grass. Also saw Scarlet Pimpernel, and Bog Pondweed, plus Lesser Centaury, a regular flower in the New Forest it would seem. https://photos.app.goo.gl/quwk31rQLJ7Dxviw5

A quick visit to the new Wildlife trust reserve on the edge of Romsey, Fishlake Meadows. The area has always been good for wildlife, but now access is greatly improved. My highlight was an Otter, extremely close, but plenty of flowers were visible along the path. I think I have the photos correct. Also seen were Watermint, and Bittersweet. https://photos.app.goo.gl/9Eg1uWW7k4TMUjWJ6