Summer Leys - Life in the Fleabane Meadow

 Although less insect and spiders around compared to previous years, there were plenty of species to be found on or near the Fleabane plants. The Picture winged Fly Merzomyia westermanni is my favourite find - it causes galls on Ragwort plants and is listed as 'local' with no recorded sightings in Northamptonshire area in the NBN atlas.

Birds at Summer Leys Northamptonshire

Great to see a large number and variety of water birds at Summer Leys Reserve today including several Great White Egrets, four Snipe, Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper, large flocks of Lapwing as well as hundreds of ducks, and  lots of Heron, Grebes, Little Egrets etc.

Summer Leys Hedgerow Birds

 In addition to the lakes at Summer Leys, the Feeding station with viewing hide is always an attraction and, apart from the lack of Bullfinches, it was as good as ever with lots of activity and species. Sad to see the Chaffinch with the Fringilla papillomavirus affecting its feet (this may be the cause, with avian flu, for the decline in Bullfinch numbers). Otherwise a delightful hour or so was spent watching and photographing their antics, especially the delightful but very aggressive Siskins. There was a Chiffchaff singing loudly and flitting in the trees and a Sparrowhawk whizzed through at water level (no photo!!!) and we think removed one feeding bird.

Summer Leys Macro Day

While photographing these rain drops at Summer Leys Nature Reserve early yesterday morning my eyes fell upon a Wasp Spider in its web - apparently a first for their reserve so the jungle drums beat (or more likely the internet buzzed) and, by lunchtime, lots of photographers arrived to see the spider. There were plenty of macro subjects in good light with sheltered still areas for them to display - ideal for a day out for the RPS Nature Group.