Trip to London: Regent's Canal and Limehouse Basin

Yesterday we took the coach from Cambridge to Mile End (an impressive service taking just over the hour) and explored various areas. Regent’s Canal was named after the Prince Regent, later to be King George IV, and first opened in 1820. We walked part of the Canal down to Limehouse Basin in cool showery conditions. There are some surprisingly wild areas with abundant bird life.

Limehouse Basin links Regent's Canal to the Thames and was, at one point, the principal entrance from the Thames to the entire national canal network. The redevelopment of the Basin started in 1983. The Docklands Light Railway is carried on a viaduct originally built for the London and Blackwall Railway above the original wharves along the north side of the basin.

 

My Yearly Task: The School Magazine

During the school year, I regularly take images at our local primary school. My last month has been very busy with events at the school and finalising the layout on the computer. The cover this year are the winners from each year group of a photo competition held at the school.

For parents and friends, the magazine should be out early July and contains more than 500 images so make sure you secure a copy - limited edition!!

Insects in the Rain

Amazing just how many insects were on the move yesterday despite the rain. Lots of Empis flies on all the flowers, plus Leaf Bug, Weevil beetle, Speckled Bush Cricket, Bumble bees and other flies.

Rain Drops on Poppies

After more than a day of rain, the garden flowers are covered with droplets.

Orchids in West Cambridgeshire

I visited a local reserve where in previous years there has been a good display of Man Orchids - this year I only found three and they were very small (second image). There were abundant Common Spotted Orchids and Twayblades. At our local reserve again plenty of Common Spotted plus Pyramidal and Bee Orchids. Last two images are of a very fine Knapweed Broomrape which was being visited by large numbers of ants.

Strumpshaw Insects

Although not abundant, we did find a variety of insects at Strumpshaw on Sunday - Cardinal Beetle, Sailor Beetle, Golden-bloomed Grey Longhorn Beetle, Nettle Weevil, Down-Facing Snipe Fly, Harlequin Ladybirds, Spider -  Xylota cristatus, Long-Jawed Spider, Longhorn Moths, Lacewing

Strumpshaw RSPB Dragons and Butterflies

Yesterday's Nature Group/East Anglia RPS outing to Strumpshaw Fen coincided with the warmest day of the year with max. temperature of 28 degrees so plenty of Dragonfly and Butterfly activities but not much keeping still. We did manage a good range of species including the Scarce Chaser (female and male), Black-tailed Skimmer, Four-Spot Chaser, Red-Eyed Damselfly, Banded Demoiselle, Azure and Variable Damselflies, Brimstone and Swallowtail. We also were shown Norfolk Hawkers in flight but failed to capture an image! (other insects to follow!!)