A rather enjoyable morning on Shapwick Heath.

Purple Heron flew into Decoy Lake at 10am and disappeared into reeds. Nothing for 2.5 hours until it flew again and landed in the small clearing in the reeds to the right of the hide. Then showed on and off for half an hour. Apparently if flew from Noah’s Lake just before 10am and it’s arrival on Decoy Lake.

Several family parties of Bearded Tits, at least 3 juv Marsh Harriers, several Bitterns and Hobbies across the reserve.

3 otters passed right in front of the Decoy Hide before moving up the central reedbed.

Dragonflies: Variable Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly, Red-eyed Damselfly, Small Red-eyed Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Southern Hawker, Brown Hawker, Migrant Hawker, Emperor, Four-spotted Chaser, Black-tailed Skimmer, Common Darter.

Also probable Lesser Emperor seen briefly in northwest corner of Noah’s Lake from main track.

A Purple Heron appeared over Noah’s Lake Shapwick at 1055 this morning ,settling into a small reed bed along the back (west side)  of the lake where it remained until around 1215.

Purple heron flew across the front of Meare Heath hide from west to east this morning at 11.15