What’s new?
3 August 2006
Even more species are being seen in our area
More bats, butterflies and birds have been spotted across the three counties
Leisler's bat has been confirmed for the first time at Grafham Water in Cambridgeshire. The species was rumoured to be present for several years, but was finally documented with a sighting of three catching moths attracted to the harbour floodlights during July. In addition, the barbastelle has been identified for the first time at Waresley Wood, having been recorded at Hayley Wood last year.
Warm weather and southerly winds contributed towards an influx of southern species including dragonflies such as red-veined darters and lesser emperors, hummingbird hawkmoths, and butterflies including painted ladies, silver-washed fritillaries and even a swallowtail at St Ives. The warm temperatures are undoubtedly enabling recent colonists such as small red-eyed damselfly to thrive, which is being found in considerable numbers at many sites in Cambridgeshire.
Another example is the little egret. Following the establishment of at least two breeding colonies in Cambridgeshire, this attractive small heron is becoming an increasingly-frequent sight at wetlands across the three counties.