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.

Marsh Harriers and Cuckoo at Lackford

Ellie chose to visit Lackford with me today on her day off, hoping to see a Kingfisher - no luck with that wish but we did have great views of Marsh Harriers, Heron, Egret, Lapwing in the Irises etc and, best of all, a really good view of a male Cuckoo, who conveniently then landed in a tree and proceeded to call just to confirm the ID. A lot of Common Blue Damselflies and a quite late Orange-tailed Mining bee

New and Returning Garden Species

The cooler but still sunny weather yesterday was ideal for insect spotting in the garden. Here are photos of some of the more interesting species (plus ID sheets with rest). The Figwort Weevil is about 4mm and just looked like an insect dropping. Good to ID another bee species that is using the Hotels - the Orange-vented Mason Bee, and always happy when the first Speckled Bush Crickets appear with their striped socks. The spider has a very metallic sheen which appeared green or bluish depending on its position. Only small patches of Spindle Ermine caterpillar webs at the moment.