Very Low Butterfly Numbers

 Today we were doing the monthly Butterfly and Dragonfly counts at Paxton Pits and I only saw single Speckled Wood and single Red Admiral. Damselflies and Demoiselles were more abundant and there were several Scarce Chasers, one Hairy, several Norfolk Hawkers and one Emperor on the wing. The weather was warm but strong breeze and mostly overcast. Smaller insects didn't mind the conditions - in fact it looked like it was very conducive to start the next generation for Leaf Weevils, Marsh Hoverflies, Scarlet Tigers and Harlequin Ladybirds!

Elephant Hawkmoth

Last year, we had a lot of Elephant Hawkmoth caterpillars on our Greater Willowherb and I kept one chrysalis over the winter. Yesterday, it emerged as this beautiful moth. I released it in the morning back onto Greater Willowherb and it remained completely stationary hoping its camouflage would protect it. It flew off during the night.

Paxton Insects

A few images from a walk round Redlands area of Paxton. Great number of Soldier Beetles at the moment, many mating plus Scorpion Flies and large numbers of Damselflies. All the Damsel photos I took turned out to be Common Blue Damselflies but there was quite a variation in markings from the adult male, teneral male, green form of female and blue form of female. Grizzled Skippers still on the wing, plus several dragonflies - here a female Scarce Chaser. Several Hoverflies (here Pipiza noctiluca) plus their larvae on the nettles

Paxton Macro Subjects

A few images from Paxton Pits Nature Reserve captured yesterday with a macro lens including this exotic Snakefly and yet another attempt at flying Beetles. Lots of caterpillars (including Ermine  and Vapourer moths) and hoverfly larvae around now and the Buttercups had Pipiza hoverflies and very small Andrena bees. The biggest challenge was photographing (with a macro lens) the ceremony to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Friends of Paxton Pits! Trevor Gunton, one of the founders of the Friends, gave a short speech to explain the history of the Friends. A Plaque and three native Black Poplars have been planted to mark the event and many of the Volunteers who belong to the monthly work parties and wildlife surveys were present. 

Caldecote Open Garden

The weather was sunny with a gentle breeze yesterday for the first of two Open Garden days at Caldecote Old Rectory - a bit bright for photography but great to enjoy the wildflower and more formal parts of these wonderful garden.