Paxton Dragonfly Open Day

The weather was excellent for the Open Day for the Dragonfly Society and resulted in most of the larger dragonflies being on the wing hunting and then resting wonderfully camouflaged in the undergrowth. Here Brown Hawker, Migrant Hawker, Southern Hawker and Emperor. The banded Demoiselles are still very active, plenty of Ruddy Darters (mating pair) and Common Darters (male and female) and a single Willow Emerald - the first of the year with Emerald now come to the end of their season. There were also Common Blue, Azure, Blue-tailed (mating image) and Red-eyed  Damselflies

 

Waterlife Sampling at Paxton

 Yesterday was the second of three days sampling the aquatic life at Paxton Pits. Here are a few of the invertebrates that we discovered - not great photos as handheld and the subjects are very small and don't keep still for long!!

Royston Heath Butterflies etc

We visited Royston Heath on the hottest day so far and the butterflies responded by flying around pretty freely though in small numbers compared to a 'normal' year. The Essex Skipper and Gatekeeper were in pristine condition but some of the others were fairly battered and the Marbled White had the worst infestation of mites I've seen. We finished the morning photographing these Kite-tailed Robber flies mating.

Paxton 18th July

 A few images taken on the Third Thursday Walk at Paxton. A warm day so a few insects around including a Bee-wolf Wasp, Brimstone, Robber Fly and Southern Hawker, the Great Crested Grebes and the Common Terns were busy fishing and feeding their young, Tufted ducks have returned, while up to 6 Little Egrets have taken up residence with the Grey Herons.

Mia, Ted's New Friend

Yesterday, Peggy brought Mia, a Beagle/Spaniel cross, to meet Ted, who took all the running, jumping and close investigations in his stride. Mia, who is 5-months old is more or lass constantly on the move but I managed to capture a few still moments.