Hot Afternoon at Hardwick Wood

I was not alone in Hardwick Wood yesterday afternoon as the temperature rose - lots of Ruddy Darters were  hunting prey from sunlit perches while Silver-washed Fritillaries, Gatekeepers and two Hummingbird Hawkmoths were feeding on the abundant knapweed along the Port Way. This ancient track is a model habitat for butterflies and other insects with woodland shelter on one side, a close mown path and a wide unmown area and ditch on the other

 

Toft Garden Update

The Wild Carrot, Knapweed, Yarrow and Marjoram are all doing ok in the garden despite the lack of rain and the hot temperatures and the insects are certainly enjoying their flowers. The Gatekeepers are the dominant species; maximum count for one Majoram plant was 15  Gatekeepers and a couple of  Large White (plus the other small insects in the lower areas of the plants). The Purple Loosestrife is in full flower by the pond giving a wonderful backdrop for the frequent visits from the Brimstones while Fennel, Yellow Solidago, Blue Clary and Mallow plus other seedheads all have their microcosm of species.

Waterlife Survey Paxton Pits

We carried out one of our routine surveys of the creatures living in the ponds in the Sanctuary and the corner of the Moorings. These are part of wider ranging surveys (chemical analysis etc) to help check on water quality in our lakes and ponds. These are great fun at the time and then hours of work attempting to identify the various creatures - some very small. Here a few of my favourites plus the ID sheets as a record.  The images are taken as quickly as possible after sampling and returned to the water which doesn't give a lot of time for perfecting their 'portraits' but hopefully allow fairly accurate identifications for the survey data. The first image is a phantom midge, family Chaoboridae, known for its predatory behaviour and unique adaptations. They are nearly transparent, which helps them camouflage in the water. The  two air sacs maintain their position in the water.

Parched Meadows

Perfect weather for our Week 16 Butterfly transect at Trumpington Meadows yesterday lunchtime - sunny 25 degrees with gentle breeze. Lots of bees around including these two Cuckoo bees Bombus rupestris - a very large impressive orange-tailed bee (host ?Bombus lapidarius)  and Bombus campestris (host mainly Carder Bee). Butterflies looking a bit worn but still finding nectar in the sparse flower heads. Usual ID problems of distant Brown Argus and Common Blues plus quite wide ranging Small Blues. Also found an impressive Wasp Spider in the hedgerow.

RSPB Sandy Insects

Saturday afternoon was just about perfect for insect photography with warm temperatures but light cloud most of the time clearing about 16.00 to give good directional light. RSPB Sandy as always produced some very interesting scenarios including this Sharp-tailed Bee taking a nap in the Lavendar (bees often 'sleep' clamped onto a flower or leaf with their mandibles but I haven't seen a vertical 'napper' before), tricolor jewel wasp,  lots of Green-eyed Flower bees, Hummingbird Hawkmoths and a Colletes Bee (Apps suggest Ivy bee but surely too early)