Forest of Dean in the heat

Saturday 12 July 2025

A morning and early afternoon visit to Woorgreens Lake and surrounding heath and the Cannop Valley. Was hoping to find some shade, and being at a higher elevation than the Severn Vale, a slightly cooler part of the county.

A good range of species noted, was confident I would turn up a few more species but the heat was too much.

Keeled Skimmer, Black-tailed Skimmer, Broad-bodied Chaser, Four-spotted Chaser, Emperor, Southern Hawker, Brown Hawker, Moorland (Common) Hawker, Golden-ringed Dragonfly, Common Darter, Red-eyed Damselfly, Small Red-eyed Damselfly, Azure Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly, Emerald Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Large Red Damselfly.

Keeled Skimmer, male Woorgreens GWT (1)
Female Moorland Hawker, Woorgreens GWT (2&3)
Male Emperor, Woorgreens GWT (4)

A few flyover and calling Crossbills were of note, largest party involved five birds, but three and four flew over at different times, another flew over Cannop Stoneworks. A number of vocal Siskins, a Mandarin, Buzzard, two Swifts, Swallows and House Martins, Tufted Ducks and Mallards plus Grey Heron.

A dozen Silver-washed Fritillaries were feeding around the spillway at the Cannop Stoneworks plus a family party of Grey Wagtails.