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.

More Species Emerging in the Garden

Lots of activity in the garden today - with less breeze and warm temperatures lots of species were on the move including a couple of new species for the garden - the Europaean Paper Wasp and Pied Shieldbug plus, possibly, the Speckled Wood. Have found over a dozen Scarlet Tiger caterpillars - they are devouring the Comfrey at quite a rate.

Paxton September Butterfly and Dragonfly Transect

For the first time this year, we had warm sunny weather (in the morning anyway) for our monthly Butterfly and Dragonfly Transcept. The counts were dominated by Common Darters and Willow Emerald Damselflies with Small Copper, Small White, Commas and Speckled Wood Butterflies the most frequent butterflies. We also had quite a few Migrant Hawkers and one Southern (on Blackberry).