Monday was a really warm day with amazing blue skies so a walk by the river Great Ouse seemed like a good plan. We were not disappointed. The river flows under an ancient pack horse bridge and then snakes it’s way along the edge of fields and woodland. The path follows the river on it’s journey .
As we walked along the insects were busy especially the damselflies and the dragonflies. There were large numbers of the banded demoiselle. They were flitting about across the river, along it’s banks and into the field edges. They were also mating.
There were also a large number of dragonflies patrolling the river. The large Emperor dragonflies were flying down the river and occasionally fighting over territory. This Broad bodied chaser perched for some time close to the bank where we had a sit down and was fantastic to watch.
There were also a large number of mayflies often hidden hanging under leaves or on grass stalks.
This is the common mayfly also known as the Green Drake Mayfly. There are actually 51 species of mayfly in the UK which I didn’t realise.These flies are the adult stage and they often hatch out from the river simultaneously. They do not live long as an adult some species only a matter of hours. In this time they will mate and lay eggs.
Fishing flies are made from feathers and are made to look like mayflies as they are a favourite food off brown trout and salmon.
This river was quite fast flowing in places and varied in depth , some parts seeming quite deep and with steeper banks. a kingfisher flew past in a flash and we found otter spraint. There were plenty of Lily pads and flowers as well fish swimming in the shallows by where we were sitting.It was a busy beautiful habitat and a real pleasure to be part of.
NATURE TABLE EXPLORER 