Coot, Grebe and Herons at Paxton

Generally things are going well for our Heron brood with all three chicks now looking ready to fledge while the Great Crested Grebes have 2 or their 3 chicks still surviving the inevitable Cormorant and Otter attacks. The Coots seem to have been less successful - no longer sitting on the near nest and obviously renewing the courtship and mating behaviour.

Buttercup Meadow Paxton

The second meadow for our survey on Tuesday was Buttercup meadow, appropriately yellow with Buttercaps at the moment. The flowers attracted several species including Orange Tip pairs, beetles, wasps, bees etc

Foxtail Meadow Paxton

On Tuesday morning, we carried out our monthly wildlife survey at Paxton Pits looking at the plants and animals in two meadows close to the Visitor Centre. I use my macro lens to record any of the fauna that I can find and then go through the photographs identifying as far as possible. I am always amazed at what I miss in the field such as the fact that this Green Shieldbug is egg laying and the two very similar light-brown beetles are very different families. There were some interesting species such as the the 10-spot Ladybird Adalia decempunctata and the tiny Weevil

Final Summer Migrants Arrive at Paxton

While the Heron chicks are getting ready for fledging with short exploratory leaps, the final summer migrants have arrived with the sky full of Hobbies and Sand Martins while the Cuckoo was both seen and heard. More images of the Great Crested Grebe family to come  - fingers crossed the young survive the Cormorant attacks etc.