Friday was another hot day and I decided to head for Strumpshaw Fen RSPB reserve in Norwich. The reserve isn't very far from the city centre but boasts a varied selection of habitat including fen, woodland and meadow. Although I didn't manage any photos, Cettis Warblers were bellowing out their song all around the reserve. My target species were Swallowtails again and after walking through the fen with Norfolk Hawker and Scarce Chaser Dragonflies on the wing I didn't see any Papilio machaon britannicus. However, as the fen gave way to woodland I saw my first Swallowtail of the day gliding along. The flight is very strange as the butterflies seem to glide then hang in the air as if suspended from the end of a fishing rod! This individual posed very well for me in the wood (photo above). Further along the track you re-enter the fen and then come to the doctor's house. The doctor gardens specifically to attract insects and very generously doesn't mind passers by taking advantage of this oasis of nectar to take some photos. As we have had such a hot and dry Spring the nectar sources in the wild are currently few and far between, as I noticed at Catfield, so the Swallowtails were feasting on the doctor's flowers! Strumpshaw is a great reserve and I didn't have time to explore all of it. I would imagine there is plenty to see there all year round.
Swallowtails below in the doctor's garden
Scarce Chaser (female)
Norfolk Hawker (male) below
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