Surprise Ornate Shiedbug, Red Kite and Large Red Damselfly - Highstead and Marshside

I haven't been to Highstead for quite a while and thought I would give it a try today as it allowed for less walking and would give me a chance keep my eyes open for any interesting insects. Their was a fairly cool north easterly wind but with wall to wall sunshine. A few Swift and Swallows were hawking for insects around the old stable area and as I wandered down the track I was accompanied by the song of Whitethroat, Blackcap and an exuberant male Linnet was giving it everything he had with his song. Initially I could not see any sign of any damselflies but the wind was keeping the temperature down. As I came to the more sheltered areas, though, it was nice to find a few Azure Damselflies.

male Azure Damselfly

female Azure Damselfly

A moth fluttered up from the vegetation at the side of the path as I passed and settled briefly before disappearing back into cover. Having looked it up I think that it is a Light Brown Apple Moth Epiphyas postvittana.

Light Brown Apple Moth Epiphyas postvittana

The local Carrion Crows and Jackdaws started alarm calling and looking up I saw one of the local Common Buzzard's coming over low, its eye glinting in the light as it did so.

Common Buzzard

Common Buzzard

I miss very much being able to see the flooded gravel pit, which is no longer visible since the land was reinstated as farmland once the quarry lease ended. I could, however, hear Coot, Moorhen and Little Grebe calling coming from there. I caught sight of a Broad-bodied Chaser on the field side of the vegetation but it disappeared from view and I didn't see it again. I was pleased to catch up with my first Silver-Y Moth of the year.

Silver-Y Moth

A couple of Chiffchaff were singing and above a Sand Martin had taken an exception to a Swallow and was in hot pursuit. I caught sight of a red and black Shieldbug and as it made its way through the grass stems and I grabbed some photos before it moved further into cover. I couldn't believe it when I looked it up at home to find that it was an Ornate Shieldbug Eurydema ornata, which with the best will in the world did not seem possible as it has very restricted range and I don't think occurs in this part of the country. However, without a doubt that is what it was, it has all the identifying features and it was a little beauty and not something I thought I would ever see.

Ornate Shieldbug Eurydema ornata

Ornate Shieldbug Eurydema ornata

Ornate Shieldbug Eurydema ornata

A funnel web was glistening with dew that had lingered on in a shaded area. A small spider was active at the edge of the web but I will need to look it up to see which it is as it does not appear to be a Funnel Web Spider..

Funnel Web

Skylarks were singing away as I started to make my way back and a Cinnabar Moth briefly settled.

Cinnabar Moth

I finished the first visit of the day with a Red Kite passing high overhead. Two of the local Common Buzzards flew to meet it, thermalling with it while calling loudly but not mobbing it. Once the Red Kite moved on the Common Buzzards dropped height, still calling to each other, before moving off to hunt.

Red Kite and Common Buzzard

Common Buzzard

I came out for another visit in the afternoon and driving through Marshside stopped to check out a patch of vegetation that is often a good spot for Broad-bodied Chasers. I was chuffed when after a few minutes one flew in and perched. I grabbed a quick shot and moments later as the Chaser lifted off to pursue an insect a female House Sparrow suddenly flew from one of the bushes and tried to catch it. I didn't think that the House Sparrow would stand a chance of catching such a fast moving insect but actually it came within a hairs breadth of doing so, appearing to take the Chaser totally by surprise. Luckily for the Chaser its lightening quick reflexes saved the day and it shot past me and did not return.

Broad-bodied Chaser

A single Blue-tailed and several Azure Damselflies were in the same area and with no sign of the Chaser returning we drove on round to Chitty Lane. 

Blue-tailed Damselfly

Azure Damselfly

It was still beautifully sunny and though the wind was still cool I was nicely sheltered here and Azure Damselflies were plentiful in the sheltered areas. A sub-adult male Marsh Harrier was searching for prey following the line of one of the dykes.

sub adult male Marsh Harrier

I enjoyed watching the Azure Damselflies as I made my way along but suddenly caught sight of a flash of red and was pleased when a female Large Red Damselfly settled, which was a very welcome sight, and was my first for the year. What a beauty. I haven't seen a Large Red Damselfly at Marshside for 3 years now so it was certainly a very welcome sight.

female Large Red Damselfly

female Large RedDamselfly

Large Red Damselfly

The Marsh Frogs  were very vocal and I could see a couple of Hairy Dragonflies patrolling the dyke but unfortunately, though they settled, it was always on the nearside of the bank and out of sight for me. A Tibellus species Spider was making short work of a fly that it had caught. I think that is is a Tibellus oblongus.

Tibellus oblongus

I could see 6 Lapwing sitting, well spaced out on a large bare patch in one of the fields. Another was investigating the border of one of the other fields.

Lapwing

Lapwing

A Common Lizard was sunning itself amongst the grass stems and a little further along a patch of Yellow Flag Iris shone out, giving a vivid splash of colour amongst the greens.

Common Lizard

Yellow Flag Iris

A very worn and battered and torn Painted Lady rested up briefly before moving on. It was still managing to fly well despite the state of its wings. On the other side of the path I could see a large Drinker Moth Caterpillar making short work of a blade of grass. They are always a really impressive sight.

Painted Lady Butterfly

Drinker Moth Caterpillar

I started to head back with Skylark, Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler song surrounding me. An Ichneumon Wasp was very active and Red-and-black Froghoppers were plentiful.

Ichneumon Wasp

Red-and-black Froghopper

I could hear Lapwing alarm calling and two were in the air and chasing off a Herring Gull that had flown into their territory.

Lapwing and Herring Gull

I caught sight of movement from the dyke and a female Hairy Dragonfly was ovipositing in the dyke and she would pause briefly to oviposit before moving on to the next suitable piece of vegetation.

female Hairy Dragonfly

female Hairy Dragonfly

I finished an enjoyable visit with a couple of newly fledged Linnet. One was quite active while the other was having a quick snooze in the bush as I passed by. I hope they both get on well.

newly fledged Linnet

newly fledged Linnet

Birds seen morning visit included: 5 Swift, 8 Swallow, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail, 7 Whitethroat, 8 Blackcap, Carrion Crows, Rooks, 1 Linnet, 1 Sparrowhawk, 9 Blackbird, 2 Collared Dove, 1 Dunnock, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Wren, 1 Song Thrush, 4 Common Buzzard, 1 Sand Martin, 4 Skylark, 2 Coot, Moorhen, 1 Little Grebe, Great Tits, Blue Tits, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Red Kite

Birds seen afternoon visit included: 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 8 Lapwing, Reed Warblers, Sedge Warblers, 4 Chaffinch, 6 Goldfinches, 4 Mallard, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, 5 Linnet 

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,