Birding? at Barnes.. or Insecting....

There was a cooler breeze today which was very welcome. I headed off for Barnes (London Wetland Centre) this morning and stayed most of the day.

The Common Terns were coming over to fish but only occasionally coming close enough for a picture. Lovely birds and I think one of my favourites!

It't that time of the year when it goes rather quiet in terms of birds and there weren't many about today. Didn't even see a Blue Tit!!

But the Insect world made up for the lack of birds. It was cloudy earlier on but as the sun came out so did the Dragonflies.

Now, I think this is a Black-Tailed Skimmer and possibly a young one. It stayed still for some time just moving occasionally from one perch to another.

If anyone can confirm (or otherwise) my IDs for these and the flutters below, I would be grateful :D

Along the same stretch which is abundant with wildflowers, flutters were.... fluttering.

A large Skipper?

and a Meadow Brown?

and something had been busy spinning this protective web.

Six-Spot Burnets were everywhere and emerging in great numbers. In the main they were on very thin grass (and this is where the breeze became a nuisance ;) )

this one made for a pretty picture.

Out on the scrape were two Little Ringed Plovers on nests and one male - who was rather busy ;) There were reports of two Tawny Owls out by the main gates, but when I looked later on I didn't see them.

A fairly lazy day spent with like minded individuals who's company I enjoyed greatly. Thanks guys!