Mating Grass Snakes, Rambur's Pied Shieldbug and Nomada Bees - Marshside 29/05/21

With being unable to do much walking for the next few days I paid a visit to Marshside to see what I could see from the road. Overall it was quiet for birds but I enjoyed seeing what insects I might be able to find in some of the sheltered areas. Small numbers of Azure Damselflies were in each area that I looked but I did not see any sign of Variable Damselflies today.

male Azure Damselfly

male Azure Damselfly

I couldn't see the pair of Little Owl today but the air was full of the song of Whitethroat, Skylark and Blackcap. Unusually enough I did not hear a Cetti's Warbler during the visit. A male Scorpion Fly landed briefly before heading off again.

Scorpion Fly

A Green Shieldbug Palomena prasina was resting up. They may be common but they are always an impressive sight. 

Green Shieldbug Palomena prasina

I caught sight of what I thought, at first, was going to be a Pied Shieldbug but I was pleased to see that it was actually a Rambur's Pied Shieldbug Tritomegas sexmaculatus. It was a little beauty.

Rambur's Pied Shieldbug Tritomegas sexmaculatus

Rambur's Pied Shieldbug Tritomegas sexmaculatus

Rambur's Pied Shieldbug Tritomegas sexmaculatus

Rambur's Pied Shieldbug Tritomegas sexmaculatus

Despite being right by the road the patch of vegetation was proving to have a good selection of insects. An attractive female Nomada panzeri was also sunbathing.

Nomada panzeri

Nomada panzeri

Nomada panzeri

I also came across another Nomada bee which I think  is a female Nomada signata but I only saw it briefly and did not get great photos so cannot be 100% sure. It appears to have the necessary identifying features for signata, both the pattern of the transverse yellow bands and the pair of yellow markings on the propodeum, both identifying features of which can be seen in the photo even if not very well. As I am not sure that it normally occurs in our area I could be wrong and will need to look into it further.

? Nomada signata

A large German Wasp Vespula germanica was very active.

German Wasp Vespula germanica

German Wasp Vespula germanica

A pretty little Liocoris tripustulatus was on one of the nettles and a 14-spot Ladybird Propylea quattuordecimpunctata caught my eye as it made its way along. For such a small Ladybird it certainly has an impressively long Latin name.

Liocoris tripustulatus

14-spot Ladybird Propylea quattuordecimpunctata

At one of the bridges over the dyke I looked down into the dyke and got a real surprise when I saw a pair of mating Grass Snakes on a piece of floating polystyrene. Now that I really wasn't expecting and it was an absolute privilege to be able to witness it and also is the longest view of Grass Snake I have ever had. Normally I have only seen them as they are swimming away. The female was longer and thicker in girth than the male and though he was missing the end of his tail he still would have been shorter than her. The parts of their bodies that were intertwined were in constant motion under water the whole time while their upper bodies remained relatively stationary. 

male and female Grass Snake

male and female Grass Snake

The female did not have any yellow in her collar. She only had the black unlike the male which I think means that she might be an older female as apparently older females are sometimes missing the yellow colouration of the collar.

female Grass Snake lacking yellow in collar

male Grass Snake

male and female Grass Snake

Towards the end the male slowly moved back along the females body but with them still firmly intertwined. He continued moving back until his head was level with hers, at which point she started to move towards him.

male Grass Snake

male and female grass snake

That appeared to be his cue to leave and once separated he made his way rapidly to the other side of the dyke while she made her way to the opposite side, both disappearing into cover in opposite sides of the dyke. What an incredible experience to be able to watch them.

male Grass Snake

male Grass Snake

After they had disappeared from view I had a look at the nearby vegetation and could see a few Azure Damselflies were resting up nearby and Common Vetch flowers were a vivid splash of colour amongst the greens.

male Azure Damselfy

Common Vetch

A somewhat scruffy Dunnock was searching for insects and as I came back up to the bridge and a Blue-tailed Damselfly was resting up.

Dunnock

Blue-tailed Damselfly

I had a peep from the bridge again as I came back over and the female Grass Snake had returned to the piece of polystyrene and was sunning herself. She certainly was an impressive length.

female Grass Snake

I came across more Azure Damselflies at the next stopping point but, once again, there was still no sign of any Variables.

male Azure Damselfly

female Azure Damselfly

A Common Nettle-tap Moth Anthophila fabriciana contrasted well against the yellow of a Buttercup and though very common they are lovely little moths.

Common Nettle-tap Anthophila fabriciana

During the visit I had seen several pairs of Spotted Crane-fly Nephrotoma appendiculata mating with them flying in tandem if disturbed before resettling.

Spotted Crane-flies Nephrotoma appendiculata

I finished an enjoyable visit as I started with some more Azure Damselflies one of which had a kink in its abdomen which didn't seem to affect its ability to catch prey.

male Azure Damselfly

female Azure Damselfly

On the way home, the rabbits in the horse paddock were surrounded by a profusion of daisies and the strong sun light shining through their ears was highlighting the blood vessels within.

Rabbit

Rabbit

Sunbeams, Coal Tits and Willow Warbler Song - Broomfield Track 10/04/20

I had an early morning walk for my exercise walk today and the air was full of bird song as I made my way along. More Whitethroat were in evidence today and I enjoyed listening to their song and calls. None were in the mood to be photographed though as they flitted from song post to song post, marking out their territory. As I came along the bottom path the sun was streaming through the trees and the effect of the sunbeams and backlit leaves was beautiful.

There also appeared to be more Blackcap in today and at various points the air was alive with their song. A Rabbit enjoying the sunshine seemed remarkably unconcerned with my presence and only moved off at a leisurely pace when I got nearer.

Rabbit

Two male Blackcap were chasing each other through one of the trees and the victor allowed a quick shot as he paused to check that the other bird had moved on. I heard my first Willow Warbler (107) of spring singing and it was lovely to hear the song once again.

Blackcap

A Fieldfare called as it flew across and 2 Red-legged Partridge flew up in a flurry of wing beats before disappearing into cover. Just before I started up towards the upper path I could hear a couple of Coal Tits calling from above me. They are lovely little birds and I always enjoy listening to their calls and song. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was busily drumming away and a Ring-necked Parakeet called.

Coal Tit

Coal Tit

The rest of the walk was very pleasant in the early morning sunshine but remained fairly quiet. A Common Buzzard flew over and a little while later a Sparrowhawk rose lazily into the sky. I finished my walk with a Speckled Wood butterfly enjoying the warmth in a patch of sun.

Speckled Wood Butterfly

In the afternoon, while out in the garden, the local Herring Gulls started to kick up a fuss and the cause turned out to be a passing Red Kite which was a very welcome sight. I did not manage much in the photo line but it is nice to have couple of memory shots.

Red Kite

Red Kite

Birds seen this visit included: 6 Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Common Buzzard, 11 Chiffchaff, 1 Fieldfare, 2 Red-legged Partridge, 3 Wren, 6 Dunnock, 8 Blackbird, Blue Tits, Great Tits, 5 Robin, House Sparrows, Carrion Crows, Rooks, Jackdaws, 2 Collared Doves, 12 Chaffinch, 2 Coal Tits, 10 Blackcap, 1 Jay, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Little Owl, Ring-necked Parakeet, 5 Stock Dove, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk

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,