September Paxton Butterfly and Dragonfly Count 2026 versus 2024

 We did the last Butterfly and Dragonfly Counts for 2026 on Saturday and the results for the Dragonflies were very similar to 2024 - lots of Common Darters, Willow Emerald Damselflies and Migrant Hawkers but Butterflies were absent except a couple of very damaged Small Whites. There are lots of large Blackberries this year being enjoyed by lots of different species including the Rhombic Leatherbug Syromastus rhombus

Sunday, September 22, 2024 The counts were dominated by Common Darters and Willow Emerald Damselflies with Small Copper, Small White, Commas and Speckled Wood Butterflies the most frequent butterflies. We also had quite a few Migrant Hawkers and one Southern (on Blackberry).

What are the Kingfisher and Grebe Eating?

So delighted that Kingfishers are busy at Paxton diving right in front of one of the hides - we think they are young birds and certainly this bird didn't seem to know quite what to do with the ?water beetle it had caught. The adult Great Crested Grebe caught a very large Tench and took a long while to swallow it and did not look very comfortable with the fish in its crop. 

Ivy Patch Insect Cafe

 I have been asked by several people in our village what the bees are that are burrowing into their lawns, with similar questions on our local 'Next Door' and Facebook on-line sites including  how do you get rid of them? Ivy bees are harmless - they don't sting, digging their burrows can help aerate lawns and they will die after only a week or two so do not need anything done other than admire their smart stripes, chestnut furry thoraces and incredible industry. The bees collect pollen and nectar to provision their nests from the Ivy which is in full flower  at the moment.  These insects were from one small low ivy bush that I came across on my walk across to Bourn today. 

Hairy Shieldbugs Rule OK

The Knapweed and Hollyhock seed heads in the garden are full of Hairy Shieldbugs at all stages of development including some pink newly moulted adults. Most plants have their selection of small Flea beetles and visiting flies which are keeping the Spiders and Lacewing larvae fed.