Old Moor RSPB butterflies

The last of my pics from our visit to Old Moor RSPB Nature Reserve. After last week's close encounter with the singular Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus) at Kirkstall Abbey it was fantastic to see them in big numbers at Old Moor. We must have seen over 40 across the reserve, constantly flitting to and fro between birds foot trefoil flowers, their iridescent wings shimmering blue in the strong sunlight.

A Painted Lady, its markings complemented by the glazed ceramic in the background.

A tattered Green Veined White on Himalayan Balsam

The reserve has a range of water habitats & outstanding waterside vegetation.

Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus), the underwing pattern has two discrete white dots whereas the Meadow Brown has one.

This Speckled Wood, down but certainly not out. It kept on battling with the Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown in the vicinity.

I'd appreciate help with whether these are Meadow Brown or Gatekeeper. The first one has the two white spots on the forewing, so I'm thinking 1 is Gatekeeper, 2 & 3 Meadow Brown. For some reason I manage to get myself confused with the forewing patterns of the two.

Old Moor RSPB, bird sightings

At Old Moor Nature RSPB Nature Reserve, East Yorkshire, we observed a few birds from the hides. Highlights included this lovely wader that we think is a Green Sandpiper.

A yawning Grey Heron taking time out on the grassy banks. I can assure you y'aint gonna catch many fish from there pal.

Can you see what it is yet kids.

A Little Grebe with chick.

Although we didn't spend a great deal of time in the hides we did also spot Shoveller, 5 Ringed Plover, 10 Lapwing, Great Crested Grebe.

Old Moor RSPB, dragonflies

On Saturday we visited Dearne Valley Old Moor RSPB Nature Reserve for the first time & enjoyed a wonderful afternoon of sunshine & sightings. One highlight was the dragonflies. We were able to get within a close proximity of these two. I'd welcome feedback please as I'm still finding identification a little tricky, but hopefully I'm getting there. I think both are Common Darters. The male with the red-orange abdomen & the female with the yellowish brown abdomen. The thorax of both sexes is brown with yellow panels on the side & the yellow stripe on the legs distinguish it from a Ruddy Darter.

Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) Male

The following are all Common Darters, female

I love the way the wings glisten in the sunshine