Paxton Insects

A few images from a walk round Redlands area of Paxton. Great number of Soldier Beetles at the moment, many mating plus Scorpion Flies and large numbers of Damselflies. All the Damsel photos I took turned out to be Common Blue Damselflies but there was quite a variation in markings from the adult male, teneral male, green form of female and blue form of female. Grizzled Skippers still on the wing, plus several dragonflies - here a female Scarce Chaser. Several Hoverflies (here Pipiza noctiluca) plus their larvae on the nettles

Paxton Pits May Wildlife Survey

 Very enjoyable morning yesterday at Paxton Pits recording the flowers, birds, insects etc in the large meadow adjoining Cloudy Fen. All the Damselfly species were recorded (not all illustrated here!!) though Variable were the most common. Small Copper, Orange Tip and Common Blue Butterflies gave us some great photo opportunities though the Scorpion fly was my favourite capture. Not finished sorting and identifying all the invertebrates so will be a day or two before I post the completed sheets!!

Paxton Pits Dragons etc

Fair number of  Migrant Hawkers, Ruddy  and Common Darters, and Willow Emeralds  at Paxton yesterday. This Scorpion Fly obligingly stayed for some time as a photographic model feeding on Ant Damsel Fly. Not sure if the short-winged moth is a common variant of the Turnip Moth or an incomplete emergence. Still lots of Wasp Spiders. I also spent a bit of time trying to get flight shots of the Bee Mimic fly (Eristalis intricaria)

 

Insects at Paxton Pits June 9th

On Sunday, I did a quick survey of what was around in the areas that we will use for macrophotography at today's Open Day at Paxton Pits. There are still lots of Scorpion flies around - particularly interesting to see a pair mating while snacking on a Damselfly caught in a spider's web.

Trumpington Meadows - Banded Demoiselles etc

Eventually the chilly and blustery weather during our walk round Trumpington Meadows was replaced by sunshine and the Banded Demoiselles took to the air for a bit of hunting and display. I have long wanted to get them in flight with the wings well displayed and at last here are some shots both against the sky and in vegetation. Several Mayflies hanging around as well as serving as meals for the Demoiselles. Several other photogenic subjects including the Black-headed Mason Bee - possibly quite a rarity. At the end a fly infected with Entomophthora fungus - seen quite a few this year - perhaps the damp conditions are favouring the fungus.