Fermyn Woods

After several warm sunny days, we had high expectations of lots of butterflies, including the Purple Emperor , on our visit to Fermyn Woods on Sunday. In contrast, it was cool, breezy with occasional drizzle so not ideal for butterflies! Ken managed to photograph an Emperor on the ground near the entrance but the rest of us contented ourselves with good views of a Purple Hairstreak (first image focus-stacked), lots of Large Skippers, Ringlets and Plant Bugs and Spiders (Nursery Spider guarding young in the web tent). A couple of Buzzards gave a great display under grey skies.

Marbled Whites, Southern Hawkers etc in Toft

 At last a variety of Butterflies are on the wing in Toft - not large numbers but several Marbled Whites (all males present in the day and coming in to roost) Meadow Browns  and  Small Heaths and single Large Skipper and Gatekeeper. So far two Southern Hawkers have emerged from our pond (earlier we had Four-spot and Broad -bodied Chasers). Delighted to find a Bryony Bee on the White Bryony - a species p that was restricted to the Southern counties. On a morning walk around the wood and fields with a not very long lens, it was good to see a Hare and Buzzard with a mouse.

Royston Heath - Record Number of Bee Orchids

It was too windy on Church Hill yesterday to do full justice to the wonderful display of Bee and Fragrant Orchids in full bloom at the moment with just the occasional Pasque Flower remaining. I saw a single Adonis Blue and about 4 Marbled Whites and we were entertained by a hovering Buzzard and a very active Mistle Thrush.

Lady Fen, Welney WWT

 A group from the RPS and CCC Nature groups explored Lady Fen at Welney WWT both early morning and in the afternoon. Unfortunately the Hares were not showing themselves but there was plenty else to occupy us including large flock of Starlings, Kestrel, Buzzard, Cattle Egrets, Chinese Water Deer, 16-spot Ladybirds hibernating etc. We were also entertained by Whooper Swans flying out of the main reserve in the morning and in as sunset approached.

Perfect Gliding Weather?

Saturday's walk was all about the weather - I sent off for my walk round Hardwick Wood and Caldecote in warm sunshine but the clouds soon gathered and, as the rain started, I noticed a glider against the storm clouds and then another and another. In all I counted 8 soaring in the thermals (plus a buzzard). I later found out these were from the UK Junior Gliding Nationals at Gransden Lodge. One glider failed to maintain height and must have landed in a local field somewhere. I got very wet but. like these skittish calves, dried off in some late afternoon sunshine. (for my info wider angle are phone images)