Garden Activity Increases with Temperatures

There was a definite increase in activity among the mini-wildlife in the garden yesterday with the warmer temperatures at last. The Red Mason bees were found coupled in various areas, while this is the first time I have recorded mating Pardosa spiders. I am always happy to photograph the wonderfully spotty/stripey Speckled Bush Cricket nymphs with lots of other species including several Shield and other Bugs (Parent, Birch Catkin Bug, Green, Hairy). Lots of Large Red Damselflies and the first Azure Damselfly.

RPS Nature Group Meeting at Rutland Water

Unfortunately the promised warmer and brighter weather failed to materialise so another outing in cold, breezy and, at times. wet conditions. The birds were keeping low in the vegetation searching for sheltering insects etc but I did manage satisfactory photographs of a couple of Reed Warblers and Green Woodpecker, Reed Bunting, Common Tern and Great Crested Grebe. Very few insects visible but here an Orange Tip and a Colletes bee species with the X100v plus macro attachment and the 100-400mm lens for comparison. Many thanks to Peter Ward for organising the trip.

Evening light in Cambridge

A few more images from our evening walk round Cambirdge Backs with CCC Members. The Backs are a mass of Dandelion clocks at the moment and all the greens were so vibrant after the rain. Canoeists gave a splash of colour for the image but it did look hard work. 

Springtime at Pensthorpe

 Spring is definitely in full swing at Pensthorpe with lots of chicks around (Avocet, Moorhen, Crane and Greylag and Barnacle Geese) displays from the Black-winged Stilts, Corncrake, Black-tailed Godwit and Ruff. As well as being a showcase attraction for birds, Pensthorpe does valuable conservation work, breeding and releasing Corncrakes and Common Cranes back into the wild. 

Garden Birds in Flight

Every year, for a short time, we get invaded by large numbers of starlings with their young on the feeders. This year, we had up to 30 on some days all squabbling and competing with the Long-tailed Tits and Greater Spotted Woodpeckers.