Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Toft Garden 16th June 2026

The insects and spiders were very active in yesterday's warm sultry weather with a couple of species of spiders (Xysticus and Philodromus species) enjoying the abundant prey (Large-headed Resin bees etc) with several Large Red Damselflies also looking for prey. I always enjoy the early stages of the Ant Damsel and Red Bugs. ID sheet at end.


Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Full Spectrum Walk by River Cam

My full-spectrum camera captures a broad range of light, including ultraviolet (UV), visible, and near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths (350 nm to 1000 nm). The results are very dependent on the amount of light around so the colours change in sunlit and shadow areas. Here a few scenes that I enjoyed capturing during a CCC walk along the Cam yesterday evening.

Monday, June 15, 2026

Redland's Triangle Survey at Paxton

For our monthly wildlife survey at Paxton, we concentrated on an area of Redlands that is particularly good for Wasp Spiders later in the season so were not surprised at the number of Grasshoppers (wasp spider dinners) present in the long-grass areas. Delighted to find a Red-tipped Clearwing, 2 Marbled Whites and several Small Heaths. The plant tally was equally long!! ID sheets at end.



Saturday, June 13, 2026

Flamborough Head and Lighthouse

Dramatic lighting with heavy showers all around us plus orange-clad workmen working at the top of the lighthouse enhanced the already spectacular scenery at Flamborough Head. I spent my time trying to include the many hogweed heads in the images but didn't quite match my vision.

Friday, June 12, 2026

Bridlington Priory

Wednesday was a day of very heavy showers so we decided on a visit to the Priory. Bridlington Priory was founded in 1113 as a house of Augustinian canons. At the Reformation, the Priory was ‘dissolved’and most of its buildings destroyed. The nave was left and was the sole parish church in Bridlington from then until the 19th century. It is an impressive architectural area and has a 'untidy' homely feel with equipment for the various community activities stored everywhere. The Angelic choir on the wooden stall ends occupied my time together with the altar steps/platform which are full of carboniferous fossils. These and the font are Tornai marble from Belgium dating from 12th century so photographing these is going back in time in two steps, 900 for its arrival in England to 38 million years ago when the inhabitants were living in the seas around Belgium!!