Dragons abound

This is a female Black-tailed Skimmer dragonfly. It was flying around on Arnside Knot a couple of weeks ago.

There is currently a survey of dragonflies and damselflies in progress in Lancashire and Greater Manchester which will continue until the end of 2009.

This lovely thing will not be recorded as she was in Cumbria - just outside the recording area.

Anyone in Lancashire or Greater Manchester can take part. Simply click on the link "Dragonfly Atlas Project" which will take you to the website then click on "Taking Part"

Springwatch

Even more exciting than Big Brother on TV at the moment is Springwatch on BBC every weekday evening at 8.00 pm. (As I have never watched 'Big Brother' it isn't really a fair statement). However if you want new life, sex, intrigue, mystery, exploration, stunning locations, death and fratricide watch this programme. Bill Oddie can be hard to take at times but that is more than made up for by Simon King and Kate Humble. All of them are secondary to the wonderful wildlife on view.

Initially interested only in birds my horizons have been widened to include mammals, moths, butterflies and dragonflies - some of which I'm learning to identify. I photographed the Pearl-bordered Fritillary near Leighton Moss RSPB reserve.

As the presenters keep telling us - all this is on our doorsteps in our gardens and local parks as well as the nearby countryside. I'm off to enjoy my local patch