Early spring and there’s much more activity in the reserve than last month, although the main pond was quiet apart from a pair of Coot. I’m looking forward to hearing Sedge and Reed Warblers chattering away as they arrive in the next few weeks. The Cetti’s Warblers, as usual, could be heard but were as elusive as ever.
Alexanders are starting to flower in earnest and providing food for many insects, including hoverflies. Heliophilus pendulus is one of the smarter ones with vertical stripes on its thorax, this also makes it one of the easier species to identify. The second hoverfly, a female Epistrophe eligans, was new to me and thanks to Tim Ransom for the ID. Hoverflies can be a nightmare to identify accurately – I look in my field guide and confusion follows very quickly in most cases.
There were plenty of Yellow Dung Fly – Scathophaga stercoraria and a solitary Harlequin Ladybird, Harmonia axyridis – thanks to Jamie Hooper for the ID.
Several Peacock butterflies were sunning themselves, mainly on the ground. This one was worn but looked good up in the willow tree. There was also a Comma, not quite showing the gorgeous tawny brown of the upper wings, but the white C on the underwing which gives this butterfly its name, is clear.
The Blackthorn, Prunus spins, is coming into its own, the simple white blossom showing it to beong to the same family as peach and plum trees. Lesser Celandine, Ficaria verna is also showing well and there are a few Red Dead Nettle, Lamium purpureum, plants in flower.
The main image shows the south side of the reserve – much wetter now that a large areas of reeds and mud were dug out last summer. The spoil has raised the southern path. Ditches have also been re-dug near the hide. This is all part of the management plan – left alone, reed beds eventually dry out and are taken over by trees. Last year, the reserve had lots of dragonflies, mainly Southern Migrant Hawkers. This year, we hope that the work carried out on Le Grand Pré will encourage a wider variety of dragonflies and damsel flies.
Le Grand Pré is managed by La Société Guernesiaise. It is a wet area, predominantly reed beds. There is a pond at the bottom with a hide. There is limited parking off Rue de la Blanche Carrière . Perry’s 7 G3-4
If you have enjoyed walking this reserve and seeing its plants and wildlife and are not a member of La Societe, please make a difference and join. We need your support to care for and protect natural Guernsey. http://www.societe.org.gg
Natural history of the Bailiwick of Guernsey 