Sparrowhawk

As this was the first time I have photographed a Sparrowhawk I think it needs to go in the Blog - even though it doesn't have that many pixels and the flight is away from the camera - of course!

Therfield Heath - Chalk Hill Blue Butterflies

Having had the tip off that there were Chalk Hill Blue Butterflies on Therfield Heath, it was worth missing some of the 5,000 metres at London 2012 Olympics!   In the event I was able to see both.   Not having photographed these butterflies before I was surprised how small they are - but attractive.   Almost all of them were on the same plant head.

Small Skipper Butterfly

Either the left over shell or an actual grasshopper

Clayhithe again

Just a few images from yesterday's walk.   Despite what one might think are perfect conditions for seeing butterflies and dragonflies, there aren't that many around.

An immature male Southern Hawker I believe

A Ringlet butterfly, but I wouldn't know which one!

A Comma butterfly

Wildlife on recent Walks

Four of these images were taken alongside The Cam recently.   The immature newt was taken on one of the ponds at the newly designated Nature Reserve at Worts Meadow, Landbeach.

Cabbage White

Common Blue Damselfly, I think

Banded Damselfly

Cormorant taking off

Immature Newt

Clip Clopping at Worlington

Last Thursday's drive was identified by the amount of mud on the ponies and the tree which had fallen across Green Lane.   Linda and Ray have a very well stocked 'spares basket' and Ray deployed a wonderful flexible saw to get through thick branches.

And now for the cleaning up/washing down - amusing to Rex!    The ponies are 'spotted' so not all the brown colouring will come off!

Insects at Worts Meadow

I'm pretty sure the butterfly is a Large Skipper because of the hooks on the tips of the antennae.   As for the caterpillar, I don't what it will become - any suggestions would be much appreciated.   A number of them were on nettle if that helps.   It was fun getting a hover fly in flight as well as one settled on the flower head.

Burwash Manor Ponds

It was good to revisit Burwash Manor Ponds, but sadly I didn't manage to capture that much.   I think the rapture is a Sparrowhawk without that many pixels, but nevertheless........     As for the identification of the damselflies, I'm stuck!   They look different from one another, but then I could be mistaken.   The dragonfly looks like a Black-tailed Skimmer because of the yellow spots along the abdomen and the black tip.

Flooding of The Cam

The River Cam is as high I can recall seeing it, and it has broken its banks in places.   Walking across Midsummer Common in Cambridge this morning provided more interest than usual - a willow tree has fallen into the river, most boat owners have needed a plank to get from their boats to the bank, and the avenue of trees on Jesus Green is under water in places.

I felt particularly sorry for the boat owner above who clearly didn't have a plank long enough to get herself and belongings from the boat to the river bank so was dependent on a very small rowing boat for the shortest of journeys.

Insects in Toft Meadow

 It was lovely to see several sorts of butterfly this afternoon, particularly Marble White Butterflies which Ann hadn't seen in Toft before.   The conditions must have been perfect for them.

The Common Blue Butterfly was not easy to capture, but well worth attempting!

There were a number of 6 spotted Burnet Moths.   I don't know what made one of them look so much paler.

My ability to photograph smaller insects and identify them is proving that much more difficult.

Soldier Beetles, I think

Scorpion Fly

Quy Fen - Cuckoo heard x 3, seen x 2, photographed x 0!

The song of the cuckoo was as strong as it is in April/May.   Heard it several times, saw it a couple of times and failed altogether to photograph it!   Still, there were a few other things to capture.

Morning light

Morning light

Purple Loosestrife I think

Immature Broad-bodied Chaser

Goldfinch singing