Paxton East Redlands

The long grass edges to the paths on East Redlands were very productive with lots of Banded Demoiselles, Darters and  Damsel flies; one of the Common Blue Damselflies had been caught by the first Wasp Spider I have spotted this year. At last, with the warmer temperatures there were lots Butterflies - Brown Argus, Common Blue  and Essex Skippers, plus a very active Bumble Bee mimicking Hoverfly. 

Third Water Survey at Paxton Pits

Yesterday, we did the last of this year's three water fauna surveys at Paxton Pits - here are a few of the creatures we found. The IDs are tentative in some cases where the diagnostic features are difficult to see in a photo. Others, like the leeaches are easier where the species are separated by the numbers and positioning of the eyes.

Olympus 'Tough' Camera

Like many people who enjoy photography, I have accumulated quite a few cameras over my very long photographic journey. Yesterday I 'played' with my Olympus Tough (G6) purchased when I was going on a trip to Antigua 5 years ago.  This and a trip to South Africa 20 years ago were my only two 'big' holidays and were partly chosen to try and fulfill a lifetime ambition to snorkel among the Coral reefs. Unfortunately the African attempt proved futile as the recommended beach for wading out had breakers about 4 metres high and in Antigua again the seas proved too rough to safely snorkel, so now I give it occasional water outings such as yesterday at Paxton pits but also find it a very adequate pocket camera for recording insects etc when taking a walk. It has a supermacro mode that allowed me to photograph the very small Weevil in the centre of a Ragwort floret

July Garden 'Bugs' (Hemiptera)

The Knapweed, Teasels, and Loostrife are attracting lots of Plant bugs including a new species for my records,Oncotylus viridiflavus and lots of nymph stage Dock Bugs.  Some interesting fly species including the Waisted Bee Grabber - does what it says- jumps on Bees and lays its egg in the abdomen of the bee which is then gradually consumed from inside!.