What big eyes you’ve got

I only had 40 minutes at Risley Moss as I was pressed for time, but it was sufficient to see lots of darter dragonflies. There was some sunshine, and they love warming themselves on the wooden rails of the boardwalk across the mini-moss so are easy to find and (slowly) approach. . The mini-moss area saw a lot of work over the winter with drainage channels blocked and new pond areas excavated, and whilst it’s early days it’s already showing a lot of promise.

I find dragonfly eyes fascinating. They’re huge oval orbs either side of the head. And multi-coloured and patterned, as well as compound in structure.

The Met Office forecast seems to be that the unsettled weather will continue through much of August. Days with sunshine are especially welcome.