Linacre Dragons

August is a great time to see lots of different insects at Linacre, and yesterday's visit, which took place from midday to 3pm, was a great example with 3 Damselfly species (including 2 new "Linacre ticks"), 1 Dragonfly species, 4 species of butterfly and a new species of fly!

The first species of damselfly  I saw today was Common Blue Damselfly. This is the commonest damselfly at Linacre (in my experience anyway). I saw 3 male Common Blues in the ringing area, and then at least half a dozen more as I walked around the three reservoirs, which included one being chased by a Grey Wagtail! Today's visit was especially good though, because I managed to find several pairs "in cop", i.e. mating, and I got a photo!! This pair, and friend, were perched up on a branch sticking out of the water on the top reservoir.

Common Blue Damselfly

The next species, and the first "Linacre tick" was Blue-tailed Damselfly. One male was spotted and photographed  in vegetation by the top reservoir.

Blue-tailed Damselfly

The final damselfly species seen today, the second "Linacre tick", was Banded Demoiselle. I was very surprised to record this species, as it wasn't one I'd expect here at all, but a single male was seen flying around the river that enters the top reservoir. Unfortunately, I didn't get a photo as it didn't hang around and I got sidetracked by a very large fly that I'd never seen before!

The fly in question is called a Giant Tachinid Fly or Tachina grossa. 

Giant Tachinid Fly

As the name implies, this fly is big, at nearly 2cm long, and is quite impressive. I managed to see 2 today, which is a new species for me and for Linacre. More information about this species can be found here.

The dragonfly species was a Brown Hawker. This is a species I see every year, but its very difficult to photograph, as it rarely sits still. Unfortunately today's sighting was just like this, with 1 seen twice, but not photographed!

Butterflies seen were: Peacock (1), Meadow Brown (7), Gatekeeper (6) and  Large White (1).

Swallowtail Caterpillar

Back in June I visited the RSPB's Strumpshaw Fen reserve to look at, amongst other things, the Swallowtail butterfly (click here to see how I got on). At the time, it said that the caterpillar of this species could be seen feeding on the Milk Parsley plants in July and August, so as we were in the area, we decided to have a look.

We did manage to spot one caterpillar, but it was quite distant, and I only managed a very mediocre shot. Here's the original and a heavily cropped version.

Swallowtail caterpillar

Whilst searching for the caterpillars, we also saw several species of dragon and damselfly, namely Migrant and Brown Hawker, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Common and  Ruddy Darter. The hawkers wouldn't sit still, so I couldn't get a photograph, but the Darters played ball, and I got a couple of decent photos.

First up the Common Darter. Here's a photo of an immature male that was soaking up the sun on the boardwalk. See the British Dragonfly Society's website here for more details about this species.

Common Darter

Ruddy Darters were also present in good numbers, and I managed to get this shot of a male. Note how red the body and eyes are compared to the Common Darter, and the obvious narrow waist. More details here.

Ruddy Darter

Walking back to the centre, we spotted a Speckled Bush-cricket - a new species for me. I think this is a youngster. More details here. 

Speckled Bush-cricket

Small Red-eyed Damselfly

Small Red-eyed Damselfly is a species that was first recorded the UK in 1999, and, as far as I know, hasn't been recorded in Derbyshire yet (see the British Dragonfly Society's website here for more details about this species). I'd heard that the National Trust's Felbrigg Hall estate had a colony, so whilst visiting there I had a look for them. I couldn't find any on the main lake, but I did manage to find 3 males on the Lily pads  in the Walled Garden.

Small Red-eyed Damselfly (male)

 As well as the adults, Jayne spotted this young dragonlfy, which looks like one that has just emerged and has yet to "dry out". As you can see, it has yet to attain the colours of a full adult.

Small Red-eyed Damselfly (newly emerged)

Chalk Hill Blues

Warham Camp in North Norfolk is the site of an Iron Age fort that also holds an excellent population of Chalk Hill Blue butterflies. Whilst over there last week, we popped in for a look.

Female upperwing

Female underwing

Male upperwing

Male underwing

Year List tops 150

After a week away in Norfolk I thought it was about time I updated the Year List, especially as I've managed to reach the 150 mark again.

The first new addition, Barn Owl, was actually spotted in Derbyshire a few weeks ago. It suddenly appeared flying over the road as I drove to work through Apperknowle.

The other new birds were all recorded during the last week in Norfolk. Red-legged Partridge was seen in the fields around Sharrington. Sandwich Tern and Knot were seen at the Norfolk Wildlife Trust's Cley Reserve, whilst the two Godwit species (both in breeding plumage!), Spoonbill and Bearded Tit, were all recorded at the RSPB's Titchwell Reserve.

Whilst at Titchwell, I also spotted a juvenile colour-ringed Great Black-backed Gull. A quick check on the internet suggested that it had been ringed earlier this year in Norway- nice! Here's the colour ring.

JT187 

Colour-ringed Great Black-backed Gull

On the way back to the centre, we came across these 2 juvenile Reed Warblers that were sitting in the reeds just 20 ft or so from the path. There was a 3rd young bird lower down in the reeds as well, and whilst stood there, an adult bird came in to feed them.

Reed Warbler

Year List update:

146 - Barn Owl

147 - Red-legged Partridge

148 - Ruff

149 - Sandwich Tern

150 - Knot

151 - Black-tailed Godwit

152 - Bar-tailed Godwit

153 - Spoonbill

154 - Bearded Tit

Norfolk Butterflies and Reptiles

Holt Country Park in North Norfolk is an excellent spot to find a couple of butterfly species, so I had a few hours here on Monday.

The first species is Silver-washed Fritillary. Several individuals were seen straight away in the car park feeding around the Buddlehia bushes.

Silver-washed Fritillary

 We walked down to the small pond, where there were several more fritillaries, including 2 females of the form valezina. As you can see, the markings on this individual are the same as the more usual form, but the colour is very different. Apparently, 10 - 15% of females can be of this form, and its more common in central and southern Britain. See the Butterfly Conservation website here for more details about this species.

Silver-washed Fritillary, valezina form 

The other key species at this site is the White Admiral (see here for details). We saw 2 individuals, but I didn't manage to get a photo on this visit- more reason for a return visit!

When we returned to the car park, we spotted a sign warning visitors about Adders that were present in the area. We were very lucky to spot this individual curled up about 1m away from the sign! I've seen one before, on Big Moor in Derbyshire, but this was the first one I've managed to get a photo of. See here for details about this species on the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Group website.

Adder

Whilst looking at the Adder, we noticed this Slow-worm! It too, was sunbathing just by the edge of the car park. This is my first ever record. See here for details.

Slow-worm

Colour-ringed Herring Gull

I was in Whitby on Friday evening, and whilst walking along the harbour, I spotted this colour-ringed Herring Gull.

Herring Gull

As you can see from the picture, it was sitting on the bin with many other gulls. I checked on the colour-ringing website (see here) when I got back home and emailed the  ringer of the bird. I'll update with details as soon as I hear back.

As well as adult birds, there were lots of juveniles about, including this bird.

Herring Gull (juvenile)