New and Returning Garden Species

The cooler but still sunny weather yesterday was ideal for insect spotting in the garden. Here are photos of some of the more interesting species (plus ID sheets with rest). The Figwort Weevil is about 4mm and just looked like an insect dropping. Good to ID another bee species that is using the Hotels - the Orange-vented Mason Bee, and always happy when the first Speckled Bush Crickets appear with their striped socks. The spider has a very metallic sheen which appeared green or bluish depending on its position. Only small patches of Spindle Ermine caterpillar webs at the moment.

Welney RPS Nature Group Visit

We were surprised at how few insects there were at Welney - hopefully it was the cool showery weather that had driven them deeper into the foliage. I did enjoy photographing this Speckled Bush Cricket (didn't notice the Spider!), two species of Leaf  Hopper, a Picture-Winged Fly, Hoverfly, Nettle Leaf Beetle and an Ichneumon spp. The Reed Warbler was probably a young one as very confiding and very pristine plumage.