Paxton Insects and Fungi

The Hornets are still busy at their nest in an old tree trunk at Paxton. I took one or two close-ups but decided discretion was the better option on a warm day when they were very active. It was UK Fungus Day yesterday (World Fungus week from 4th) and Hunts Fungi Group led our Annual survey of Rory's wood area and listed 40 different species - some were collected to check their ID. 

Kingfisher Boxes at Paxton Pits

Yesterday, we installed the first 2 of 20 kingfisher boxes that are to be situated in strategic areas at Paxton Pits Nature Reserve. The aim is to provide more suitable nest sites especially in areas where banks created by quarrying have collapsed.

Macro Insects from Paxton Pits (May 7th)

A bit out of sequence, but here are some of the insects from the Lower Meadow Survey last Sunday, starting with a very well camouflaged Tortoise beetle, followed by a new species for me, a Sawfly whose larvae feed on buttercups, certainly the predominant flower at the moment.

Stars of Today's Paxton Surveys

I started today with an early morning Breeding Birds Survey at Paxton and it was wonderful to hear so many Garden Warblers, newly returned to the UK and singing their hearts out. The Dunnocks were also very vocal. When we had completed our part of the route, I spent 3 hours surveying an area for insects etc as I have to miss the official survey morning on Tuesday. Here photographs taken with a telephoto lens including spiders, bees, moths, butterflies and damselflies. Mainly I was working on much smaller subjects using a close macro (to follow).

Another Session with the Cormorants

The wind was a lot lighter yesterday so gave better opportunities to photograph the Cormorants in flight and appreciate their breeding plumage.