An Umbel Life

For the last three days, a large Hogweed flower in the garden has been providing food for a very large population of hoverflies, wasps and beetles, some very small like this Eumerus hoverfly treading on an even smaller Carpet beetle. (IDs on final image).

Wildlife Survey on Dodder Fen, Paxton Pits

 On Saturday, we spent a couple of hours recording the birds, flowers, insects on the area of Paxton known as Dodder Fen as it supports a thriving colony of Greater Dodder - a parasitic plant that grows on nettles in wet places and is relatively rare. As you can see it, has a very large population of insects, particularly plant bugs and leaf hoppers. 

The other native species is Common Dodder  and its host is gorse and heather.  Dodder's  small seeds germinate in spring and a swollen, root-like organ emerges from the seed case and seeks out a suitable host. Once a host is found, Dodder attaches to it with a sucker and forms a haustorium (a structure that penetrates the host’s tissue and draws in nutrients). One amazing fact about dodder is its ability to “sniff out” its victims - dodder seedlings can detect volatile organic compounds emitted by nearby hosts. These allow it to choose the most nutritious hosts, maximizing its chances of survival. 

Hardwick Wood Butterflies

Great to see several Silver-washed Fritillaries in my local wood feeding on the Bramble along with Large Whites, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Comma and Brimstone. I hoped to also see the Purple Hairstreaks but the sky clouded over just as I reached the area and they magically disappear into the oak trees when the sun disappears.

Byron's Pool Grantchester

A few images taken on a camera club outing at Byron's Pool, Grantchester, yesterday evening as the sun set. It had very much an 'oil painting' feel rather than the usual soft watercolour scene with the waterlilies taking pride of place. 

Paxton Open Day

On Sunday, Friends of  Paxton Pits celebrated their  30th Anniversary with an Open Day. Everything went to plan with Walks around the Reserve, Art and Photographic Displays, Pond Dipping demos, Treasure hunts etc etc EXCEPT the weather - we had almost continuous rain all day which kept many visitors at home. It was great that the local MP  Ian Sollom and local Mayor Cllr Richard Slade and several Councillors and officers from HDC all who braved the weather  for a guided walk around the reserve - many thanks!!  Here are a few of the invertebrates I photographed during a short walk in one of my breaks during the day.