Willow Emeralds Star at Lackford Lakes

I spent a couple of hours at Lackford Lakes yesterday on my way to lecture to Norwich club and enjoyed multiple sightings of Willow Emeralds bathed in autumn sunlight plus a supporting cast of Common Blue Damselflies, Common Darters,  Dock Bug, Nuthatch and Muntjac.

 

Nuthatch Building Nest

The Europaean Nuthatch Sitta europaea, generally nests in holes on trees and reinforces just the entrance with mud. This pair were building a nest in the crevice in a wall, reminiscent of the Eastern Europaean Rock Nuthatch (Sitta neumayer) showing that the species have not diverged that far in nest-building habits. We watched it (?them) bring in mud and build a complete entrance to the nest area. Sometimes it disappeared into the nest as here and then elegantly hopped out and off for more materials. A wonderful harmonious setting for such an  elegant bird.

Lackford Lakes

Yesterday was unexpectedly warm and sunny and not windy - very unexpected after recent rain and winds. Here a few images from a CCC visit to Lackford Lakes starting with a Wasp Spider and its prey the Field Grasshopper. The Tortoise Beetle is a new one for me Cassida nebulosa and Beewolf Wasps are now busy burrowing into the banks along the paths. The Marsh Harrier gave us a great display with a food pass - unfortunately I was resting my camera at that moment!!

Lackford Lakes - Woodland Birds

Unfortunately cloud levels had increased by the time that we visited the woodland feeding station at Lackford but the birds were as obliging as ever. My favourites were the Coal Tits and Marsh Tits though the Nuthatches always steal the show!!

Woodland Birds Take Two

Is it safe to dive? A second attempt at capturing the birds coming to a woodland clearing for scattered food, again with very diverse lighting.