Klarningen with the kids

Sympetrum danae - my first at Klarningen. Also on the wing today on site were Aeshna grandis, Orthetrum cancellatum and amazingly Somatochlora flavomaculata.

Took the kids for a wet walk around Klarningen this morning. The rain stayed away but overnight rain had made the long vegetation rather damp. We soldiered on and the usual circuit produced teal (7) and a single grey partridge, as well as quite a few waders; dunlin (2), ruff (1), snipe (2), two fluffy redshank chicks, green sandpiper (3) and at least 24 wood sandpipers (most crowded onto one small pond with the rest of the waders). Dragonflies were excellent too despite the overcast weather; on the wing were brown hawker, black darter and a brief Somatochlora flavomaculata, the undoubted highlight of the session.

Work continues on the bird-tower...