Sunny Afternoon at Paxton

Just about the full cast performed for us in front of the Hide yesterday - the Great Crested Grebes are guarding their two chicks well at the moment while Cormorants, Little Egrets and Herons flew in and out at regular intervals. The chicks are beginning to make short dives and also appeared to be catching damselflies. As the sun came round and lit the perches, we were entertained by Ruddy Darters (body shape, black legs), Willow Emerald Damselflies (yellow spur on the thorax, no blue pruinescence), Tachina fera Fly, Migrant Hawker and Green-Veined White Butterflies.

My Local Wood

Hardwick Wood was looking great yesterday in the strong dappled sunlight and well worth the long hot walk to get there. Butterflies everywhere with this Green-veined White taking centre stage for a time flitting among the bramble flowers but I soon found my target species, the Silver-washed Fritillary, in a sunlit glade along with  Large Skipper, Comma, Speckled Wood, Marbled Whites and impressive Pied Hoverfly and Hornet Hoverfly.

Butterflies at Trumpington Meadows

What a delight to see Green Hairstreaks at Trumpington Meadows along with Holly Blues - both small jewel-like species that are difficult to see until they move!! We also had Speckled Wood, Peacock, Green-veined White, Small White and Orange Tips on our survey route.

Lackford Autumn Sunshine

Lackford Lakes looked at their best in the sunshine yesterday and the hundreds of Migrant Hawkers were certainly enjoying the warm conditions. A lot of the time, I was shooting into the light giving dark backgrounds and contrasty subjects but this first shot allows all the detail of the markings of this male. Other species were Willow Emerald, Ruddy Darter, Water Boatmen, Pond Skater, Sand Wasp, Small Copper, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Green-Veined White, Tachnid Fly and Ivy Bee. 

Hardwick Wood Butterflies

Great to see several Silver-washed Fritillaries in my local wood feeding on the Bramble along with Large Whites, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Comma and Brimstone. I hoped to also see the Purple Hairstreaks but the sky clouded over just as I reached the area and they magically disappear into the oak trees when the sun disappears.