darters

Thursday 17 July 2014

A pair of Common Darters trying to drive off an Emperor today at Ewelme.

Common Darter

Also a pair, or 2 anyway, of Red-legged Partridge - not common on the Ewelme reserve.

back end of a red-legged Partridge

Caterpillars

Tuesday 15 July 2014

Most Ewelme nettles seem to have a colony of writhing caterpillars - mostly Small Tortoiseshells and Peacocks but probably others too.

That did it!

Monday 14 July 2014

After complaining about the lack of Skippers at Ewelme a Small turned up today together with a Brown Argos - grand total now climbed to the dizzy heights of 20!

Brown Argos

This young Starling turned up in my garden this morning. Apparently ringed in Welwyn Garden City on 30 June. Co-incidental or perhaps sinister? it was ringed by someone with 73 in his email address, my house number is 73 and the two are 73 Km apart.

Skippers everywhere - except on the watercress beds

Saturday 12 July 2014

Mainly Small/Essex but good numbers around especially down Benson allotment. This one turned up in the conservatory at home. Has to be and Essex - - doesn't it?

Dragonfly number 2 at Ewelme

Wednesday 9 July 2014

An Emperor dragonfly graced our small pond on the lower site but was reluctant to settle long enough for a picture. 

Insects plus

Tuesday 8 July 2014

Good butterfly count with the top species being Ringlet and 3 each of Large Skipper, Marbled White and gatekeeper. Also this Bright-line brown-eye moth spotted.

First Common Blue damselfly brings this years total up to 6 species and this rather flashy spider seen which I think is a Comb Footed.

Butterfly number 18

Friday 4 July 2014

Butterfly numbers looking good and a few Whites at last. Best one seen was a Small Copper - don't get a lot of those on the cress beds! Still no Blues though.

Loads of hover flies nectaring.