Linacre Insects and WeBS - 13th June 2021

This afternoon was warm and sunny with temperatures in the low 20s, so I decided to have a look around Linacre for some damselflies and other insects. 

By far the best species present was the Wall butterfly, with 2 females seen (records sent to County recorder).

Wall Brown

In addition, I also recorded 1 male Common Blue Butterfly, 1 Speckled Wood 1 Small Copper and 1 Green-veined White, along with dozens of Common Blue Damselflies. 

Common Blue Butterfly

I was on site on the 5th June too, and saw my first Volucella bombylans (hoverfly) of the year, and several Celypha lacunana (moths).

Birdwise, it's quite quiet, but today's WeBS count saw the following birds recorded: Mallard (39 adults and 20 juveniles), Mandarin (27 adults and 14 ducklings), Tufted Duck (12 adults), Moorhen (3 adults and 2 chicks), Coot (9 adults and 10 young), 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 Great-crested Grebe (2 adults and 1 chick) and 1 sub-adult Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Mandarin with ducklings

Mallard with ducklings

London and Norfolk - Birds and Insects

 Jayne and I have just had a few days away in London and Norfolk. Whilst there we enjoyed a mixture of sightseeing, theatre and wildlife watching.

Two new bird species were seen: Ring-necked Parakeet and Red-crested Pochard. The parakeets were seen (and heard!) all around, whilst the pochard was seen in Kew Gardens. 

Red-crested Pochard

Whilst at Hampton Court Palace we also spotted a new hoverfly species: Merodon equestris and our first Banded Demoiselle damselflies of 2021.

Merodon equestris

Whilst in Norfolk, we went to RSPB Strumpshaw Fen, hoping to see Swallowtail butterflies and Norfolk Hawker dragonflies. Unfortunately, due to the cold May, both species were yet to emerge. Thankfully, the Marsh Harriers were a lot more cooperative, as were 2 Cuckoos (heard and seen), pinging Bearded Tits , a reeling Grasshopper Warbler and a Grass Snake.

Other insects seen here were: Variable Damselfly, Banded Demoiselle, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Azure Damselfly, Red-eyed Damselfly (1), Scarce Chaser (4) and Hairy Dragonfly (5+ seen, including a resting male).

Hairy Dragonfly

The Year List has now moved on to 150 species.

Year List update:

140 - Redstart

141 - Lesser Whitethroat

142 - Peregrine Falcon

143 - Bittern 

144 - Cetti's Warbler

145 - Ring-necked Parakeet

146 - Red-crested Pochard

147 - Marsh Harrier

148 - Bearded Tit

149 - Cuckoo

150 - Grasshopper Warbler