Taking a rest in a peat swamp

On Sunday we took a break. The last days were filled with hard working and quite some issues had to be resolved. So time for a rest. And where can you do that better than in the richness of nature. There was a splendid sun in the sky asking to come out. The strong wind was cooling us down to a pleasant time for strolling around with some sunscreen and a hat. We chose for Stora Mosse in Hässleholm. It is the peat swamp where I had been before with Erik, my friend. A little nice book about the nature in Hässleholm brought us there (see http://www.gbfnatur.se/). It is just published in Swedish (ISBN 978-91-639-1028-9). One of the authors, Pål Axel Olsson, helped us to hit accurate information. He is a friendly colleague from Carin. As no other he knows good places in Skane. 

 

I hoped to find Hippodamia septemmaculata, a rare ladybird linked to peat swamps. But sadly enough it turned out to be really bad for ladybirds. Most probably the wrong time of the year.

But … it turned out to be wonderful for other animals. I wish Erik were with us as we saw hundreds of dragonflies from 3 species. 

Leucorrhinia rubicunda

Orthetrum cancellatum

And look to this one taken by Carin. It's such a strong picture. Carin afterwards came proudly to me to say that it was for sure the most close picture she ever took from a dragonfly.

Libellula quadrimaculata

Also for birds it was a pretty happy day.

Again we saw some cranes (tranor – kraanvogels). For birders this is a magic bird. Is it because cranes always carry a story with them? The little sick girl from Hiroshima who folded cranes to bring peace is one of these strong stories. Cranes are shy. But they do not suddenly fly up like ducks. They see you long before you have seen them. Then in a slow and careful pass they dissolve into the green. Are you sure you saw cranes there?

Also some other interesting birds like little ringed plover (mindre strandpipare - kleine pluvier) and common tern (fisktärna - visdiefje) were carefully observing all of our movements. Even a nightjar (nattskärror - nachtzwaluw) disappeared quickly between the trees.