Wildlife Highlights at Warnham Local Nature Reserve – Dragonflies, Waterbirds, and Mute Swan Family Moments

Welcome to my wildlife photography journal! Warnham Local Nature Reserve is always a rewarding place to visit, offering a wonderful variety of habitats and wildlife throughout the year. On 23rd May 2026, I spent time exploring the reserve and capturing a fantastic mix of behaviour, movement, and family moments across the wetlands.

It was one of those sessions where wildlife activity seemed to be happening everywhere at once. A beautiful Broad-Bodied Chaser was one of the first highlights, perched perfectly on a reed and holding its position despite the gentle breeze. These moments are always fascinating to capture, as dragonflies often move quickly between perches and can disappear just as quickly as they appear.

Around the water’s edge, a group of Coot chicks provided plenty of interest as they moved through the reeds, staying close to the safety of the adults. Watching young birds explore their surroundings is always a reminder of how much activity the reserve supports during the breeding season.

Out over the water, a Gadwall was captured in flight, its wings fully extended as it passed through the frame. A Mallard also provided some great action opportunities, with one image showing it landing on the water and another capturing it moments earlier in flight. These fleeting moments of movement are always challenging to photograph but are incredibly rewarding when everything comes together.

The highlight of the visit, however, was spending time with the Mute Swan family. The cygnets stayed close to the adult, creating several lovely photographic opportunities. One particularly special moment was seeing a cygnet resting on the parent’s back and briefly lifting its head — a rare and intimate behaviour that perfectly captured the bond between parent and young.

This visit to Warnham Local Nature Reserve was a wonderful reminder of why returning to familiar locations is so rewarding. Every visit brings new opportunities, from seasonal changes and wildlife behaviour to unexpected moments that make each photograph unique.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to explore my other wildlife adventures and photography from Warnham Local Nature Reserve and beyond. Every visit brings something new, and I look forward to sharing more moments from the field soon.