An Encounter with a Weasel and a Small Blue - Shuart 29/05/19

I headed to Shuart today. There was a cool strong southerly wind with a lot of cloud and some sunny intervals. A Rabbit was watching me from the horse paddock and, unusually, seemed quite happy with my presence and a good range of birds were singing away.

Rabbit

Though it was cool in the wind, any sheltered areas were quite warm when the sun came out. A Red Admiral butterfly was resting on some ivy, showing its underwing well and Azure Damselflies were plentiful. I also saw a fair number of Blue-tailed Damselflies and one perched nicely for me.

Red Admiral Butterfly

Blue-tailed Damselfly

I enjoyed listening to the Wrens and Blackcaps that were in full song and a Jay scolded as it flew away. Some insects were making the most of a sheltered area. A White-tailed Bumble Bee's wings were quite tattered which must make flying harder. I am not sure exactly what type of white-tailed it is. I saw what I think is a Tachina fera. It was a striking looking insect. A Common Malachite Malachius bipustulatus was busy amongst an umbellifer head.

White-tailed Bumble Bee

Tachina fera

Common Malachite Malachius bipustulatus

I saw a Speckled Wood butterfly that looked decidedly 'milky' and pale. It appeared to be covered in very pale grey hairs. They appeared paler at some angles than others but it never appeared as dark as other Speckled Wood's that I have seen.

Speckled Wood

Two Common Buzzard were circling above and a Cuckcoo flew over. I could hear a Mediterranean Gull calling but could not manage to pick it up. It seemed that every few feet I came across another male Chaffinch singing away. What they lack in variety in their song they certainly make up for with sheer exuberance.

male Chaffinch

The drop in temperature, when the sun went in, enabled me to catch up with a couple of Orange Tip Butterflies who, up until then, had been very active. Both their upper and under wing patterns are beautiful and I was treated to some lovely views.

Orange Tip Butterfly

Orange Tip Butterfly

Orange Tip Butterfly

Orange Tip Butterfly

A Mute Swan gave a fly past and I tried for a photo. I still struggle with birds in flight photos but I enjoy giving them a go. A male Reed Bunting had a bill full of food for its youngsters. Its nest must have been nearby so I moved on so that it could feed the youngsters in peace. Reed Warbler song surrounded me as I made my way up to the railway embankment.

Mute Swan

Reed Bunting

It was pretty breezy up on the embankment but some areas remained reasonably sheltered by the bushes. A Small China-mark Moth was sheltering out of the wind. I often see them flying low over the water in dykes so it was nice to see one perched. A Hairy Dragonfly flew past without any sign of stopping.

China-mark Moth

I was watching a male Hairy Dragonfly patrolling over the water in a dyke when I caught movement to my side and when I looked I could see a Weasel watching me. I stayed as still as possible and did not even dare lift the camera in case I scared it. It dropped out of sight and then over the next ten minutes or so reappeared several times giving the opportunity to try for some photos. I felt privileged to be able to watch it so long and it certainly made my day seeing it. It, sadly, appeared to have several ticks on its face. When it moved it was lightening fast. What a beautiful animal.

Weasel

Weasel

Weasel

Weasel

Weasel

Weasel

I stopped and had a rest on the embankment and while doing so a small butterfly landed on my rucksack. At quick first glance I thought it was a Holly Blue but it didn't look right and looked too small. It then opened its wings and showed dark wings, wow! I was absolutely chuffed when I realised that I was looking at my first ever Small Blue Butterfly. I know that they have occurred in the area but I have never seen one before. It sat on my rucksack for a little while and then moved to a sheltered patch of grass nearby. It was a beautiful little butterfly and I felt incredibly lucky to see it. Now, that definitely made my day. Despite the fact it had been pretty quiet for birds it was turning out to be an interesting visit.

Small Blue Butterfly

Small Blue Butterfly

I had a short walk along the embankment, I could only go a little way as I needed to get back for a meeting. Reed Warblers were singing away with Sedge joining in. I disturbed a Grey Partridge that I had not seen tucked in at the side of the path. A Bush Cricket was sheltering out of the wind. I am not sure, at present, which one it is. I came across another Small Blue this time a male. He was pretty worn but very nice to see.

Bush Cricket

male Small Blue Butterfly

I came across a very attractive female Common Blue which had brown and blue in her wings. A striking Wasp Beetle Clytus arietis caught my eye.

female Common Blue

female Common Blue

Wasp Beetle Clytus arietis

I saw a single Silver Y Moth and it was very active, as it fed, and gave some good opportunities for trying for some photos. I had not realised how large their eyes are.

Silver Y Moth

Silver Y Moth

On the walk back to the railway crossing I came across a female and a male Small Blue Butterfly. The female was very fresh and looked stunning as she rested on the ground.

female Small Blue Butterfly

male Small Blue Butterfly

After crossing the railway line I headed back up to Shuart. A couple of Common Buzzard were soaring above and a small movement of Swifts appeared to be going south. There were several of what I think are nomad bees on the buttercup flowers.  I think that they were Gooden's Nomad Bee Nomada goodeniana but I am still finding identifying insects tricky.

Common Buzzards

Gooden's Nomad Bee Nomada goodeniana

While watching an attractive bee I had a Chaffinch singing above me and I tried for a memory shot even though it was into the light.

Chaffinch

It was very cool by this time and the sun remained in as the cloud cover was almost blanket by now. It did mean that I got some good views of resting insects that are normally much more active as I made by way back.

Ichneumon Wasp

Red-headed Cardinal Beetle Pyrochroa serraticornis

Greenbottle

I came across a Variable Damselfly, the only one I saw this visit, and I got some good views.

Variable Damselfly

Variable Damselfly

I finished the visit with views of an exuvia, but I do not know whose it is.

Though it had remained quiet for birds it had been an interesting and enjoyable visit.

Birds seen this visit include: 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Robin, 4 Blackbird, 8 Wren, Chaffinches, 8 Blackcap, Wood Pigeons, Jackdaws, 1 Jay, 9 Swallows, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Magpie, Blue Tits, Great Tits, 1 Mute Swan, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Cuckcoo, 2 Common Buzzard, Goldfinches, 1 Pheasant, 5 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Mediterranean Gull, Cormorants, Herring Gulls, Rooks, Carrion Crows, 14 Reed Warblers, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Lapwing, 6 Reed Bunting, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Magpie, 2 Mallards, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Kestrel, 1 Grey Partridge, 28 Swifts,

Red Admiral Butterfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Azure 3 Hairy dragonflies,

Damselflies and Hairy Dragonflies - Chambers Wall to Shuart 15/05/19

As I had a day off today I thought I would try for a walk from Chambers Wall to Shuart. It was beautifully sunny but with an increasing east north easterly wind. Luckily the wind never increased beyond a little breezy although it was fairly cool. A couple of Yellow Wagtail were alongside the road and Skylarks were singing away. A Common Buzzard was circling high above. I was hoping for some Damselflies today and I was pleased when I came across an Azure Damselfly as it boded well. I saw a couple of Holly Blue Butterflies and a Large White Butterfly but they were very active and did not settle where I could see them for a photo.

Azure Damselfly

A male Blackcap was singing away and I stood for a while just listening and enjoying the beauty of its song.

male Blackcap

I was surrounded by bird song as I walked down the track with Blackcap, Wren, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Whitethroat, Sedge and Reed Warblers all singing away and a Cuckoo repeatedly cuckooing. Blue Tit and Great Tit were active and 5 Swallow's were hawking for insects over the fields. I came across a Squash Bug that looked different to the other ones that I have seen. It had a narrower abdomen and very pointed shoulders and I think, from looking it up, that it is a Box Bug Gonocerus acuteangulatus.

Box Bug Gonocerus acuteangulatus

In a sheltered area from the wind I came across several Damselflies and enjoyed looking though them. Azure appeared to be the most common. I saw a smart male Variable and he allowed some good views. The thoracic stripes were very broken in this male and the thick black wine goblet on S2 and the bar between the eye spots showed very well.

male Variable Damselfly

male Variable Damselfly

I also saw a male and female Red-eyed Damselfly.

female Red-eyed Damselfly

male Red-eyed Damselfly

In the same area there was also another couple of Variable Damselfly, both of these being female blue forms.

female blue form Variable Damselfly

It was lovely walking down the path. It seemed that, in every sheltered area in the sunshine, there were good numbers of damselflies. It is the first time this year that I have seen so many together at the same time. It was great to be able to have a slow wander along, just admiring all that I saw. I had an insect I did not recognise but, from looking it up, I think that it is a Dance Fly - Empis tessellata. I also had a couple of Common Blue Damselflies, neither of which wanted their photo taken and a couple of Blue-tailed Damselflies, one of which was slightly more obliging.

Dance Fly - ? Empis tessellata

Blue-tailed Damselfly

I finished off the walk down to the embankment with another male Variable Damselfly and a male Red-eyed Damselfly.

male Variable Damselfly

male Red-eyed Damselfly

On the embankment I came across a very smart looking beetle which I think is a Common Malachite - Malachius bipustulatus. For the length of the embankment the air was so full of song from Whitethroat, Sedge and Reed Warblers that I decided to just enjoy listening to them rather than worry about counting them, while looking out for insects, as any count was likely to be inaccurate anyway as I kept getting distracted by what I was seeing.

Common Malachite - Malachius bipustulatus

Common Malachite - Malachius bipustulatus

A Sparrowhawk passed overhead causing a Yellow Wagtail to shoot across, alarm calling like mad. I saw a dragonfly whizz past, which looked like a male Hairy but unfortunately it disappeared from sight. However a little further along I saw another dragonfly that appeared to go down a little way ahead. Once I reached the spot I searched for it but without any success when suddenly it flew in and settled in front of me allowing some really lovely views. I was well chuffed to see it.

female Hairy Dragonfly

female Hairy Dragonfly

female Hairy Dragonfly

 I was pleased when I saw my first Small Heath of the year and ended up seeing 5 during my visit.

Small Heath Butterfly

 I heard several Reed Bunting singing and a Grey Heron gave a flypast. I caught sight of something and saw a beautiful Latticed Heath Moth - Chiasmia clathrata. It looked stunning in the sunshine.

Latticed Heath Moth - Chiasmia clathrata

Latticed Heath Moth - Chiasmia clathrata

The embankment was fairly quiet for damselflies and I only saw a few Azure dotted here and there. Some Holly Blue butterflies were active and one allowed a photo.

male Azure Damselfly

Holly Blue Butterfly

As I passed one of the dykes I could see a male Tufted Duck tucked in fast asleep whilst there were a couple of Lapwing and a Hare in one of the fields. A Cetti's Warbler exploded into song almost next to me but I couldn't manage to see it at all. A male Hairy Dragonfly was much more obliging and flew in and settled in front of me. It only paused briefly before setting off again but long enough to enable me to grab a shot so I was very lucky.

male Hairy Dragonfly

I came across a couple of things that I am not sure what they are at the moment and will update if I get any further forward with them. I saw something that appeared to be almost fluorescent orange on a Wild Rose. It looks more yellow orange in the photo than it did in real life. I thought it must be some kind of gall and the only one that I have been able to find that it might be is Orange Rose Rust but I am really not sure. I also saw a moth that I have not been able to identify either. It was very worn but I have not been able to find anything that looks like it.

? Orange Rose Rust

I saw a Dance Fly again but this time it was mating while the female was eating what the male had caught for her. The male was supporting his, the females and the preys weight holding onto a branch with just two legs. Apparently the female will not mate with the male unless he brings her something to eat and she has to approve of the gift before she will allow him to mate. I love being able to take macro photos as it enables me to see things that I might not be able to with my naked eye otherwise.

Dance Flies mating and prey - Dance Fly - ? Empis tessellata's

The patch of water in the field is drying out and was quite a lot smaller today. There was a Lapwing and a Yellow Wagtail at the waters edge but otherwise it was quiet. Sanfoin was in flower and what I think was a Large Red-tailed Bumble Bee - Bombus lapidarius seemed to favour it as it moved from flower to flower.

Sanfoin

Large Red-tailed Bumble Bee - Bombus lapidarius

I saw a beetle I have been unable to identify at the moment and a Spotted Cranefly showed just how strikingly marked they are.

Spotted Cranefly

A smart Orange Tip Butterfly also paid a visit to the Sanfoin and another Cuckoo flew past.

Orange Tip Butterfly

At Shuart there were good numbers of Azure Damselfly and I also saw a Blue-tailed and Common Damselfly. I did not see any Red-eyed Damselflies but I did see several Variable Damselflies. Marsh Frogs were singing away. I saw 1 Hairy Dragonfly as it shot past me.

Variable Damselfly

I disturbed 2 Common Lizards, that I had not seen, from the path which scurried across as I approached. I caught sight of a caterpillar and I thought that I had a different type but when I looked closely it appeared to be a particularly bright Drinker Moth Caterpillar. Perhaps the younger they are, the brighter they are. 2 Mute Swan were down one of the dykes.

Drinker Moth Caterpillar

While watching some Azure Damselflies I had a striking beetle crawl into view. I looked it up when I got home and I think that it is a Tortoise Beetle - Cassida vibex.

Tortoise Beetle - Cassida vibex

Tortoise Beetle - Cassida vibex

I finished off the visit watching a Mistle Thrush family. I only saw one adult but there could easily have been another one and I saw 2 youngsters. The youngsters were beautifully marked. They made a lovely end to the visit.

young Mistle Thrush

young Mistle Thrush

 Birds seen this visit include: 5 Yellow Wagtail, Skylarks, 3 Common Buzzard, Whitethroats, 4 Blue Tits, 2 Great Tit, 3 Wren, 3 Blackcap, Wood Pigeons, 9 Chaffinch, Reed Warblers, Sedge Warblers, 5 Mute Swan, 6 Goldfinches, 3 Cuckcoo, 2 Stock Dove, 2 Corn Bunting, 13 Swallow, 6 Magpie, Herring Gulls, 3 Cetti's Warbler, Carrion Crows, 5 Reed Bunting, 5 Linnet, Cormorants, 2 Dunnock, Grey Heron, 1 Tufted Duck,  3 Lapwing, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Mallard, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Pied Wagtail, 4 House Sparrow, 2 Chiffchaff,