Life in a Bluebell Glade

I spent a very enthralling couple of hours on the edge of Waresley Wood (Cambridgeshire) photographing the abundant invertebrate life in a small Bluebell and Dog's Mercury valley. Besides the Peacock and Brimstone shown here, there were also Small Whites and Commas. The Honeybees were busy collecting pollen from the Bluebells while the Bee Flies (Bombyllus major) concentrated on the Celandines. Both Hairy and Dock Shieldbugs were plentiful while I was fascinated to record the Grey Mining Bee together with its parasitic species Nomada lathburiana. The Sawfly I think was Tenthredo atra but will need to get this one checked out. Finally a 7-spot Ladybird.

Cambridge Camera Club Exhibition

Cambridge Camera Club's Exhibition is on this week in a new venue having been priced out of the Cambridge Guildhall. We are open until Saturday 5pm. We are very happy with the welcome that we have received from St Andrew's Baptist Church Cambridge and visitor numbers are good. We need to improve the lighting for next year. A few shots taken at the end of the day.

2014 Diary Printed

As Blurb had a 35% discount off on their books, I managed to finish editing the download of my 2014 Blog. it can be accessed HERE.

Birthday Girl

My grandaughter, Meredith, was three on Saturday and took it all very seriously.

Nightingales Have Arrived at Paxton but No Photos Yet

Still not a lot of migrants arrived at Paxton. We heard and briefly saw one Nightingale though it is thought that there are 6 males present. The males arrive first and sing loudly to 'call down' the females.  We did hear and photograph Willow Warbler and Blackcap as well as a very vocal Dunnock and a drumming Greater Spotted Woodpecker.

Rye Meads Afternoon Session

Some of the birds seen during the afternoon walk round Rye Meads in beautiful afternoon light, which showed off the pristine plumage of the Heron, Little Grebe, Gadwall, Black-Headed Gull and Shoveller well before the breeding season takes its toll.  

Morning Activity at Rye Meads

A small group from CCC visited Rye Meads RSPB reserve yesterday. We spent the morning in the Kingfisher Hide and had several views of its namesake but always at a distance and often in the bushes. Twice the male brought in fish, gave to the female and then mated. This has been happening for a couple of weeks so hopefully eggs will be laid soon. Chiffchaffs (also Blackcap, Cetti's Warbler and Sedge Warbler) were singing, Kestrel's were busy exchanging food and guarding the nest box while the Coots and Moorhens dragged much too long sticks and reeds to their nests. Even a few butterflies on the wing (Peacock, Tortoiseshell, Orange Tip, Brimstone, Small White).

Afternoon photos to follow when we got closer to things!

Points of View at Saffron Walden

Last Saturday Cambridge Camera club invaded Saffron Walden for their Annual Ccompetition where we have to take 5 subjects in a set location during a Saturday afternoon. This year the topics were Traders, the Big View, Maze (SF has three!!), Monochrome and Old. These are my spare set - difficult choices always - I will put up my chosen five after the judging on the 27th April.

Lackford Lakes Suffolk

Spring is in full swing at Lackford Lakes with Chiff chaff, Cuckoo and Swallows already arrived and the many breeding birds, including Wren, Nuthatch,Black-headed gull, Jackdaw, Lapwing, Shelduck, Canada Goose, and Little Egret all holding territories and mating.

ps. In Toft, we had the first Swallows on the 6th april and have had up to 8 Buzzards circling overhead and today a Red Kite