Here Be Dragons (Hic sunt dracones)

 A phrase used by old map makers to mark areas where dangers may lurk is, so it is said, Here Be Dragons (Latin: hic sunt dracones). Apparently there are only two examples of old maps where this was actually used, but why let facts get in the way of a good phrase 😂

 

 I usually shorten dragonfly to dragon, hence the title for this post.

 

I had three species of dragon today - Southern Hawker, Hairy Dragonfly and Common Darter.

 

Southern Hawker

Hairy dragonfly (male)

A clear example of why this is called a Hairy Dragon

Common Darter female

We've had good numbers of waders through over the last week with numbers led by Redshank and Black-tailed Godwit, with Curlew also worthy of an honourable mention. The very low water level on the Mere bodes well for the next few months as wader passage gets going. 

 

Redshanks making use of low water at the Mere

Curlew over, going west

Black-tailed Godwits on the extended Swan Island spit

Warblers have done the deed and successfully raised young - certainly along the Mere south side anyway. I have not seen any warbler broods along the north side yet.

 

Lesser Whitethroat and Whitethroat juveniles, Sedge and Reed Warbler juveniles have been sighted over the last week. Blackcap and Chiff Chaff youngsters were seen before that.

This and the one below, Whitethroat juvenile

The resident birds have also done the business and most mornings I see and/or hear a young Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Young Great Spotted Woodpecker

I am so pleased that there are lots of butterflies to be seen this year. Last year was awful, with very low numbers of butterflies right across the country, but this year is better, to my eyes anyway. We'll see what the surveys find.

 

On 3 July I saw 13 different species of butterfly, which is the most I've managed in any one day in Hornsea. 

Gatekeeper

I have already counted more Gatekeepers this year than in the whole of last year.

Skippers have also been seen most days, which was unheard of last year. In fact looking back to my records of last year, I didn't even see a Small Skipper at all.

Small Skipper

This and the one below, Large Skipper

Continuing the "more than last year" trend is Comma. I had two in the garden today to join all the others already seen.

Comma

Comma underside showing the comma or "C" for Comma 

The final butterfly that has shown a good increase in numbers is Small Copper. One seen last year, five seen already this year.

Small Copper

 The wide shore around the Mere that is available for birds is also being used by butterflies. They gather in small groups where the ground is rich in minerals and eat their fill.

Large White, Small White and Green-veined White "mineraling"

 I've mentioned the Mere's very low water level and if you haven't seen it recently then here's a view from first field along the Mere south side.

Lots of shore exposed around the Mere