A walk this morning in poor light and a little drizzle found me checking out a large nettle bed. It was overrun with bugs, moths and spiders. I didn't have the correct lens with me so, using a 70 - 300mm zoom, I had to stand far away to get these shots, hence their disappointing sharpness.
Plenty noted that required text book identification, whilst some I was pleased to actually name correctly.
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| Dryophilocoris flavoquadrimaculatus |
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| nettle tap moth |
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| Rhabdormiris striatellus adult |
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| Rhabdomiris striatellus early instar |
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| soldier beetle cantharis sp |
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| scorpion fly, female |
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| scorpion fly, male. Note harmless scorpion like sting |
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| large jawed ord spider, possible Tetagnatha extensa |
All of these were near the A120 footpath and I shall visit again on a sunny morning later in the week, with the correct camera gear.
Birds were few and far with the regular barn owl at his/her tree hole, 2 coot on the lagoon whilst at Hadham Hall both coot and moorhen were with juveniles on the water. A single swallow over but no sign of swifts after yesterdays good numbers over the village.
At Hadham Hall, I noticed an eyed hawkmoth on the grass. Having checked it wasn't egg laying I placed it somewhere less likely to be trodden on. It also leant itself to a better photo. As I walked behind the village school a pair of lapwings were noted on a field in an area where the crop seems to be growing poorly. One disappeared from view, so maybe on eggs. This would be the 3rd breeding pair in the village, which is amazing due to the fact I have only ever recorded them locally as winter flyovers. Excellent.
Finally, on dandelions I noticed a small yellow beetle which I think is a 22 spot ladybird. Shall look into confirming this as it would be a first for me in the parish.
Whitethroats, chiffchaffs and blackcaps were all in good voice.
Edit: ladybird now identified as a 14 spot, also new to me and on the parish record.
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| barn owl |
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| goldfinch |
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| distant lapwing, one of a pair giving impression of breeding |
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| eyed hawkmoth |
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| 14 spot ladybird |
2 comments:
The ladybird is a 14-spot, not a 22-spot.
Neil
Many thanks for your help, Neil. I am having a bash at insects this summer, son will require frequent corrections. Have just bought Ball and Morris hoverfly photoguide. Excellent book, but mind mangling in the complexities of identification.
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