Blue Damselflies and Other Insects at Paxton

This morning, we were doing a wildlife survey in the Gully area at Paxton  - the weather was decidedly chilly and breezy so no Butterflies or Dragon/Damselflies but we recorded quite a variety of Insects, Flowers and Birds including a very vocal Nightingale - let's hope he finds a mate. I think the Mining Bees were the stars photographically (Andrena haemorrhoides and Colletes cunicularis)!! In the afternoon, I took a short walk along Meadow Trail and found two Common Blue Damsels and one Variable Damselfly - all looking rather cold

Paxton Survey - Sanctuary

I did a survey of the sanctuary and the Meadow along side it on Thursday as I could't go on Saturday.Here are some of the more confiding insect and spider species - over 50 more or less identified.

More Small Invertebrates

Pruning the Buddleias yesterday took a very long time as each branch needed to be beaten to dislodge any insects etc, some of which I photographed and most of which were minute like this exquisite Leafhopper and the Rough Woodlouse. The Spider and Centipede were dislodged from our low brick wall while tidying the ivy - wonderful brick coloration!

Mini Garden Invertebrates

An interest in invertebrates can be a serious impediment to any gardening activity. I started to cut down some of the dead plants in the garden but decided to shake them to dislodge any creatures before putting in the green waste bins - a mistake as an hour later I was still photogaphing the abundant spider, snail and other mini-life - some 10 species of spiders alone!!

Bees, Wasps and Ants, Crete

Bees, wasps and ants do particularly well in hot dry climates so was not surprised to find a good variety of species, including this tiny Jewel, A Ruby-tailed Wasp. The Paper Wasp was a particularly pleasing find on a grass stem at the top of a sandy beach.