Anderton Nature Reserve

Common Darter - Anderton Nature Reserve

I was down in Alsager near Stoke-On-Trent yesterday morning carrying out a hedgerow survey on an area to be affected by development, nothing amazing to be found there yet nesting Blackcaps and Greenfinch were nice finds, as was Small Skipper, Gatekeeper, and Meadow Brown Butterflies. Also Sparrowhawk carrying prey, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Nuthatch, and singing Chiff Chaffs nearby added to the mornings tally. 

Four-Spotted Chaser - Anderton Nature Reserve

On the way home I stopped in at Anderton Nature Reserve near Marbury Country Park, to check for Dragonflies and Butterflys (I haven't been for a couple of years but it is a good site), and I wasn't let down; best of all was a Purple Hairstreak, it is getting to the optimum time of year for this species now and they can be found more locally at Liverpool Cricket Club off Aigburth Road. It is a great little site which has a great amount of potential and is connected to other areas of natural importance nearby by a series of footpaths.

Anderton Nature Reserve

Common Darter - Anderton Nature Reserve

Brown Hawker - 9
Emperor - 1
Southern Hawker - 1
Common Darter -12
Four Spotted Chaser - 3
Common Blue Damselfly - 30+
Azure Damselfly - 15+
Blue-Tailed Damselfly - 7
Emerald Damselfly - 2
Purple Hairstreak - 1
Gatekeeper -35+
Meadow Brown - 10+
Red Admiral - 1
Comma - 1
Speckled Wood - 4
Small Tortershell - 9
Grey Wagtail - 6
Common Buzzard - 1
Lesser Whitethroat - 1
Sedge Warbler - 1
Reed Bunting - 2
Pied Wagtail - 3

Small Tortershell - Anderton Nature Reserve