Early Morning at Field Studies Council Juniper Hall

Saturday started at 6am checking what had been attracted to the moth-trap lights during the night and delighted to find it included a Cockchafer - a very large and beautifully marked beetle. It was rivalled by the White Ermine Moth which only shows that striking orange body when alarmed as a hopeful deterrent to predators. There were several bees sleeping on the vegetation which gradually woke up as the sun's rays got to them (a conveniently situated copper prunus tree acted as a great backdrop!!). The Pine Hawkmoth was probably the most unusual moth.

Warnham Nature Reserve Surrey

 The 92 acre site, owned and managed by Horsham District Council,  was designated a Local Nature Reserve in 1988. It includes a 17 acre millpond, marshes, grassland, reed beds, hedges and woodlands. The site provides a haven for a variety of wildlife with over 400 species of plants, and over 100 species of bird, including a thriving Heronry, wildfowl, and all three species of Woodpecker. Thank you Josh for showing us round the reserve on Friday and pointing out the many interesting insects and birds - here a few favourites with a full ID sheet of the species that I photographed during the day (click to enlarge).

Boxhill Orchids and Butterflies

Great day out with Ben West yesterday hunting the various orchid and butterfly species  characteristic of the Surrey Hills. The Bee Orchid is a variant with pointed lip. The dry conditions this year have reduced the number of orchids though we found most of the target species. The butterflies were loving the sun with highlights including the Dingy Skipper, Green Hairstreak and hundreds of Small Blues

Summer Cemetery

Not often the a Travelodge has a perfect walk to cool off in the evening! Dorking Cemetery is a 14-acre municipal site opened in 1855 though excavations nearby unearthed 14 skeletons dating back to the 7th century, indicating Early Medieval activity in the area. There are several areas where the vegetation hasn't been cut, full of oxeye daisies - ideal for playing with multiexposure.

Dragonflies etc Paxton 26th May

Our photography group at Paxton Pits decided on an early start yesterday as very warm temperatures were forecast (and arrived; officially 32 degrees at Bedford aerodrome). We started at 7am in the Meadows as the Dragons and Damsels got moving including the Green-eyed Hawkers resting in the grass and hedges along with lots of hawking Hairy Dragonflies, Black-tailed Skimmers and 4-Spot Chasers.  I was attempting to use the strong directional light to throw shadows behind any perched insects as with these mating Common Blue Damsels.

 After refuelling we spent a bit of time in the Cobham Hide where there were hundreds of damselflies, dragonflies and their exivia. En route we were delighted to find a Grizzled Skipper in another new location so they really have a strong presence at Paxton now.