Bedfordshire's flora and fauna online

Stoat and Hare

2011-12-04T18:46:00.004Z

I came across this around lunchtime today after three hours or so in the field searching for Hooded Crow south of Harlington. The hare was close to moribund with the stoat taking frequent bites around its neck area. Captured on Nokia N73 mobile phone after a few minutes of stalking to get within suitable range. Apologies for image quality. Andy Grimsey 4th Dec 2011

The Moon

2011-11-19T09:12:00.001Z

A photo of the Moon taken with my Canon S95 compact camera attached to a Nikon ED50 scope (27x) via an adaptor. Photo by Martin Green.

The Streak

2011-11-01T14:53:00.003Z

One of six trapped at Maulden Wood last night (31st Oct) by Andy and myself. Photo: Melissa Banthorpe

Phyllocnistis saligna leaf mines

2011-10-14T23:52:00.003+01:00

Melissa found these leaf mines of Phyllocnistis saligna on Crack Willow on the bank of the River Ouse at Great Barford today (14th). This is the only the second record of this species in the county and the first time the leaf mine has been found. The first county record was an adult caught by us at Chicksands Wood in 2010. The mine here is up the main rib of the leaf and also down into the petiole.
Scan by Andy Banthorpe

Autumn Colour!

2011-10-05T15:28:00.000+01:00

Merveille du Jour

These 2 turned up in my Upper Caldecote trap 1st October. First ones seen since 2009.

Mompha terminella new to VC30

2011-09-05T10:55:00.004+01:00

After finding out from David Manning that an adult of the micro-moth Mompha terminella had turned up in Northamptonshire recently, Melissa and I went into Chicksands Wood on 4th September to see if we could find the leaf mines of the larvae in Enchanter's Nightshade.
We were successful and also found it is present in Maulden Wood. Scans of mines in leaves of Enchanter's Nightshade from Chicksands Wood below by Andy Banthorpe.

Raising little beauties

2011-08-29T15:42:00.043+01:00

It all started with Ma Lilac Beauty above, who was trapped at Marston Thrift on 25th June. She laid a batch of eggs, which hatched on 9th July. I lost quite a few of them. I think the larvae could be cannabalistic as a couple grew quite large, while others disappeared. In the end I ended up with six, which I separated and now five out of six have pupated with one still to go.

A couple of shots of the larvae, which are quite distinctive.

A couple of shots of pupae

If you are lucky a male will emerge, this one was trapped in Wales in July.

All photos by Melissa Banthorpe

1719 Oblique Carpet

2011-08-18T21:07:00.000+01:00

15/08/11: Garden, Leighton Buzzard, SP9326.
Twin 15w Skinner.
FW: 12mm

Frequents damp, marshy areas; the larvae feed on bedstraws. A complete surprise as the last Bedfordshire record was 1973 !

Synaphe punctalis

2011-08-18T17:27:00.003+01:00

Saw this on the wall at work today. Not one I've personally seen before but trapped at the Lodge before.

Small Red-eyed Damselfly

2011-08-14T19:50:00.002+01:00

Tandem pair ovipositing at DSTW 12/08/11

Small Red-eyed Damselfly

2011-08-09T20:33:00.004+01:00

Picture taken this afternoon at DSTW (9/08/11)

Webb's Wainscot - Kempston

2011-08-07T18:06:00.003+01:00

This Webb's Wainscot was in Martin Palmer's moth trap in Kempston. Photograph by Martin Palmer.

Satin Beauty

2011-08-06T18:54:00.003+01:00

A scarce moth in the county. This one came to MV light at Maulden Wood on 3rd August. Photo: Melissa Banthorpe

Ethmia quadrillella

2011-08-06T14:40:00.003+01:00

...which seems to be called funerella too? Trapped last night in Eaton Ford. According to the book, seems to be quite rare. Any thoughts from the recorders. Certainly a smart moth!

Another Crescent

2011-08-06T12:00:00.000+01:00

Obvious really, but I was a bit confused by this beast when I caught it. Melissa has confirmed this is another Crescent, but very different to the one the week before. I thought it might be a Common Rustic but was bigger. Seems to be a good corner of the county for them up here with I think, five of the nine records.

The Crescent

2011-08-04T22:29:00.002+01:00

Trapped 3rd August in my Eaton Ford garden.

Brown Hawker - Kempston

2011-07-31T20:58:00.001+01:00

This Brown Hawker came to Martin Palmer's moth trap in Kempston. Photograph by Martin Palmer.

Recurvaria leucatella new to Bedfordshire

2011-07-13T21:22:00.002+01:00

This micro-moth turned up in our garden moth trap in Lower Stondon on 11th July. The id was confirmed by David Manning and he also confirmed that it was a new addition to the county list.

Its the wrong clearwing!

2011-07-11T18:50:00.003+01:00

I went to Dunstable Downs today to try and get some clearwing records for the site using pheromone lures. My targets were Orange-tailed, Red-belted and Six-belted. I failed on all three but the VES lure which is used for Orange-tailed attracted a male Yellow-legged Clearwing instead. This is the species the lure is made for but it was still a surprise to get one at this site as it is a species of Oak stumps. The closest record is from Sewell Cutting in 1978 by Vic Chambers - also an odd site for the species.

2011-07-07T10:49:00.003+01:00

Aberration of the White Admiral, with reduced white markings, at West Wood yesterday (6th July).

Might these be...

2011-07-03T12:42:00.003+01:00

...Lunar Hornet Clearwing exit holes? All in Willow within the reserve.

Small Ranunculus - Kempston

2011-07-02T18:13:00.001+01:00

This Small Ranunculus came to Martin Palmer's moth trap in Kempston. Photograph by Martin Palmer.

Down by the river

2011-07-02T13:11:00.004+01:00

Took the lures out the back of the house in Eaton Ford - nothing came to them but we did find this on a riverside poplar.

Silver-washed Fritillary

2011-07-01T16:48:00.001+01:00

Silver-washed Fritillary of the form valezina, College Wood, 1st July 2011

This unusual form of Silver-washed Fritillary was in College Wood on 1st July 2011, photographed by Martin Palmer.

Chicksands Wood

2011-06-29T19:44:00.004+01:00

The "Chicksands Wood" season has started and today I took my first walk around the wood in search of the specialist butterflies. Unfortunately I missed out on Purple Emperor by less than a minute by choosing to walk towards the distant group who waved at me rather than running. I'll be back soon for another go though. Managed to grab a couple of pleasing images of others though, notably Purple Hairstreak, White Admiral and Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet Moth.

Orange-tailed Clearwing, Honeydon

2011-06-26T17:23:00.002+01:00

Popped out to make the most of this weather and dangled some pheromones.

Caddisflies?

2011-06-24T06:40:00.004+01:00

Catching a few of these things which I presume are caddisflies of some sort. Any ideas?

Poppies

2011-06-23T22:47:00.001+01:00

Poppy field to the west of Chicksands Wood, June 2011. Incredibly impressive.

Rookery South ClP

2011-06-23T22:44:00.001+01:00

A panoramic view of Rookery South Clay Pit in its current state, June 2011. Currently looking superb for waders, but soon to be filled in.

IDs please

2011-06-23T19:40:00.006+01:00

A micro from 23 June
Another micro from 23 June
A Pug from 23 June
From 2 June

Black Hairstreak - Marston Thrift 14/6

2011-06-14T16:14:00.004+01:00

Managed to obtain a record shot of this Black Hairstreak found after a lot of searching today, same spot as two seen by Steve Blain on Sat 11/6. Good to know they are still around but concerning that the population seems to be so low and so local; this colony must be extremely vulnerable.

Me too at Honeydon RNR

2011-06-11T18:44:00.000+01:00

Spurred on by enthusiastic reports of the Honeydon road verges on the BNHS newsgroup I headed there this morning. Here are my close-ups of the three star species, Spiked Star-of-Bethlehem, Crested Cow-wheat, and Sulphur Clover:

Probably new for VC30......9th June 2011

2011-06-11T17:31:00.004+01:00

After a coordinated night of moth trapping all around RSPB The Lodge. Two of these seemingly insignificant micro moth appeared on a vertical sheet. It is a RDB species and hasn't been seen in Bedfordshire since 1904, if these records are even reliable. Micro recorder David Manning is currently looking at a few more, so watch this space...........

799 Neofriseria singula

Roadside Verge at Honeydon in June

2011-06-10T10:00:00.013+01:00

One of the best roadside verges in Bedfordshire, just south of the hamlet of Honeydon. It is particularly impressive at the moment (June).

Three Bedfordshire rarities are found there, from front to back, Sulphur Clover, Crested Cow-wheat and Spiked Star-of-Bethlehem.

A closer view of Crested Cow-wheat and Spiked Star-of-Bethlehem.

Another new micro for Beds

2011-06-03T15:22:00.000+01:00

Pempelia Palumbella - photo by Colin Campbell

Pempelia Palumbella, The Lodge, 2nd June 2011 - a new micro moth for Bedfordshire, found on the old heath.

Rare Wasp?

2011-05-31T12:39:00.002+01:00

I'm still waiting for confirmation but I believe this to be a female Odynerus melanocephalus a nationally "Notable A" species, seen today at Sandy Smith NR.

If anyone sees a wasp like this, with wings folded lengthways and white (rather than yellow) bands on the abdomen, please let me know, as it may be this species. It would be good to know where else it may be...

Keith Balmer

Denisia albimaculea new to Bedfordshire

2011-05-30T10:53:00.005+01:00

The photo below is of a micro-moth that landed on the sheet at a mothing event at Ampthill Park on Saturday night 27th May 2011. It is Denisia albimaculea and is a new addition to the county list. Photo by Melissa Banthorpe.

Common Heath moth

2011-05-20T19:56:00.003+01:00

One of the day-flying moths which does not appear from the records to be particularly numerous or widespread in Bedfordshire. This individual was photographed at Heath and Reach 19th May.

A scarce longhorn & a beautiful bug

2011-05-18T12:53:00.005+01:00

The longhorn beetle Anaglyptus mysticus is nationally scarce apparently - not sure of it's status in Bedfordshire. They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I think the iridescent colours of the Forest Bug final instar nymph make it rather pretty. Both were at The Lodge, Sandy on 16/5/11.

First Post

2011-05-10T21:51:00.000+01:00

Although I've been running my own blogs for a few years now, I'm a new name on the Beds Flora & Fauna blog, so a big Hello to all!

For my first post here, I've chosen a few images taken a few weeks back amongst the gorgeous bluebells of Kingswood, near Houghton Conquest, and a local dragon' from a few days ago in Cople.

Backlight

Orange Tip

Backlight 2

Orange Tip

Broad-bodied Chaser

Scarce Chaser & Cockchafer

2011-05-10T21:28:00.004+01:00

Cockchafer and Scarce Chaser female at The Lodge 10/5/11

Green Hairstreaks & Hairy Dragonfly

2011-05-09T05:48:00.000+01:00

Green Hairstreaks and a Hairy Dragonfly at the Marston Vale Country Park. Photos by Dave Ball.

Many-lined new for county

2011-05-08T20:03:00.003+01:00

A complete surprise for Tony Lawrence when he cheked his moth trap this morning in Eaton Ford, and a great addtion to the VC30 list. Photo Melissa Banthorpe

Dingy Skipper & Light Brocade

2011-05-07T21:24:00.003+01:00

Dingy Skipper on Birdsfoot Trefoil at Stewartby Lake

Light Brocade, caught by Martin Palmer in his moth trap at Kempston.

Photographs by Martin Green.

Hairy Dragonfly - MVCP

2011-05-06T20:33:00.003+01:00

A Hairy Dragonfly that alighted briefly in the MVCP Sensory Garden. Photograph by Martin Green.

Dragonflies and a Red-and-Black Froghopper (?)

2011-05-03T21:10:00.005+01:00

Four-spotted Chaser - MVCP Boardwalk

Hairy Dragonfly - MVCP Sensory Garden

Two photos of what appears from a brief Internet search to be a Red-and-Black Froghopper (?) which was near the railway line between the MVCP and Rookery. (On the MVCP side...) Anyone know if this is a common bug in the county...? Photographs by Martin Green.

White-marked

2011-04-16T18:55:00.003+01:00

One to MV light at Chicksands Wood 15/4/2011, although rather worn, and exactly the same place where Andy and I had one in March. Photo: Melissa Banthorpe

Mystery Beetle?- Solved

2011-04-12T14:03:00.001+01:00

Hi all, my son found this on my rear patio in Upper Caldecote on 12th April. Having looked through my insect books I still have no idea what it is. Approx. 12mm long. Does anyone know what it is, as I'm sure I've never seen one before.

It looks like this is a Cramp-ball Fungus Weevil Platyrhinus resinosus. Identified by Andy Whitney.

Speckled Wood

2011-04-09T00:32:00.000+01:00

One of two Speckled Wood butterflies near the MVCP Pillinge. Photo my Martin Green.

An Emperor gets his wings

2011-04-05T23:51:00.004+01:00

Andy checked the Emperor pupae on his way out to work this morning and this male had emerged from the pupa and was looking for somewhere to perch whilst inflating his wings. I took some photos as it happened and three are below.

Blossom Underwing - new to Bedfordshire

2011-03-29T23:30:00.006+01:00

Peter Almond brought a moth that he caught in his garden moth trap last night (28th March) along to the Bird Club meeting tonight to show Melissa and I. We confirmed it as the county's first record of Blossom Underwing, Orthosia miniosa. Melissa has taken some photos and two of these are below. Superficially, to the untrained eye, it looks like an odd Common Quaker but if you are familiar with Blossom Underwing then the dark "saddle" and the very pale hindwings stand out. A very good catch and the second macro-moth species to be added to the county list in 2011.

Comma

2011-03-23T14:00:00.000Z

Comma, in a Yelden garden, 23rd March 2011 by Mike Neal

MVCP - Jubilee Cottage outlook

2011-03-05T19:29:00.002Z

A panorama made from four photos showing the view from the MVCP Jubille Cottages outlook. There is a fair amount of water there at the moment so worth checking for waders etc... if you are visiting.
(Although none were present when I was there today) Photo by Martin Green

Isomira murina

2011-01-21T21:49:00.003Z

I took this on 14/6/10 at the Lodge hoping it might be a Larch Ladybird, but I'm pretty sure it's not. An id still eludes me, perhaps one of the leaf beetles - can anybody help? It's small, about 5-6mm.
Expert concensus from various sources: Isomira murina - thanks to all.

Stewartby Lake sunrise

2011-01-02T22:22:00.004Z

A few photos of the rather good sunrise at Stewartby Lake, taken from the gullwatch. Photos by Martin Green.

Foggy Stewartby Lake - 31st December 2010

2011-01-01T00:58:00.002Z

A bank of fog across the middle of Stewartby Lake, seen from the gullwatch. Photo by Martin Green.

Marston Vale Country Park in the snow...

2010-12-22T21:04:00.002Z

A panorama of the ice-bound Pillinge lake, taken from the hide.

The visitors centre.

2010-12-13T17:35:00.004Z

Yesterday 12 Dec 2010 my wife and son (Pattie and Thomas Outen) went to purchase a Christmas Tree from our local farm at Clifton Bury. They told me that some of the trees had galls on them. I checked thees out and identified them as caused by the Homopteran bug Adelges abietis. Sean Karley has confirmed my identification and tells me that "this species was already on the checklist for Beds, but without any localised record; it has one now!"

MVCP - Pillinge Panoramas

2010-12-12T22:32:00.000Z

A view over the MVCP Pillinge Lake from the Wetland 3 bank.

The view from the MVCP Pillinge hide.

Both of these photos were taken using my Canon S95 compact camera and stitched together using Photoshop Elements. The final images were made up from about 8 or 9 individual photos each. These are very compressed versions of the panoramas, both full-size versions are about 17,000 pixels long... Photos by Martin Green

Ectoedemia quinquella leafmines in Oak leaf

2010-11-28T16:59:00.003Z

The scans below show an Oak leaf found at The Lodge, RSPB Sandy, today. It shows the characteristic leaf mines of Ectoedemia quinquella and there are seven mines in the leaf. This species typically mines Oak leaves in November and there are often many mines in an individual leaf. Scans by Andy Banthorpe.

Norellia spinipes - Daffodil Fly

2010-11-24T13:50:00.007Z

This fly species was present in some numbers in a Carex bed at Stanford Wood on 19 Nov 2010, a rather surprising habitat to find it. It was originally identified from my images by Stephane Lebrun, from Le Havre. This identification was confirmed from a specimen by Malcolm Smart, a national authority in the UK on Scathophagidae. The family includes the very common Yellow Dung Fly. By contrast the Daffodil Fly is very local in Britain with only a handful of records.

Rhododendron Leafhopper

2010-11-04T20:40:00.003Z

These are out in force at the lodge at the moment.

Ectoedemia hannoverella mine in Black Poplar

2010-10-30T21:49:00.003+01:00

The scan below is of the leaf mine of Ectoedemia hannoverella in a leaf of a black Poplar sp. This species was found new to Bedfordshire near Arlesey in November 2009 and was also found at that site in 2010. This leaf is from Chicksands Wood on 30th October 2010 and is the second site in the county for the species. Please look out for the characteristic mining pattern in the leaves of Black Poplar and report any to David Manning - with a photo for confirmation.
The adult moth lays the egg on the petiole of the leaf where it forms a gall by initial mining and then mines out into the leaf blade leaving a characteristic green island area once the rest of the leaf turns yellow. Scan by Andy Banthorpe

Western Conifer Seed Bug

2010-10-06T11:33:00.004+01:00

A splendid individual on the walls at The Lodge this morning

Pale Pinion

2010-10-05T20:24:00.000+01:00

This was a welcome surprise in the garden, found by the children today after school.

Pale Pinion- Upper Cadecote- 4th October 2010

Hummingbird Hawkmoth

2010-09-30T17:27:00.004+01:00

The Hummingbird Hawkmoth has an amazing ability to choose suitable coloured roosting sites. This one chose Laburnum pods in my garden today and was very difficult to spot.

Designer Fly Agaric

2010-09-20T17:16:00.006+01:00

Amongst the many Fly Agarics at the Lodge today was this interesting 'designer' version.

Shaggy Inkcap (?) MVCP

2010-09-14T22:33:00.000+01:00

This fungi was near the path at Stewartby Lake at beginning of the climb up to the the hilly area near the lagoon corner if you approach from the sailing club side. I'm guessing it might be a Shaggy Inkcap purely because it was shaggy and inky but I've not looked it up so I would appreciate it if anyone would let me know what it actually is... Photo by Martin Green.

Apple Mine

2010-09-04T20:05:00.005+01:00

There were around 25 Vespula vulgaris excavating into this single apple at Mowsbury Hill LNR. Here's one making off with some pulp:

Photo by Keith Balmer

Chequers and Medlars

2010-09-04T20:04:00.003+01:00

Two of our more unusual fruits can be seen at the moment at Mowsbury Hill LNR; Chequers on the Wild Service Tree:

and Medlars, which apparently need "bletting" before they can be used:

Photos by Keith Balmer

2010-09-02T22:18:00.003+01:00

A pristine Light Emerald at the Lodge today.

This Wasp Spider at the Lodge old heath today is apparently the first for the reserve, although they have been recorded at Sandy Heath quarry across the road.

Grass Snake - West Wood

2010-09-02T18:30:00.005+01:00

This obliging Grass Snake posed between two fungi in West Wood before making a hasty retreat.

Caterpillar ID

2010-08-31T15:15:00.001+01:00

Nearly stepped on this striking caterpillar outside the back door - any suggestions on identification please?

30-35 mm in length. Not quite right for Lime Hawk-moth?

Common Lizard - Stewartby Lake

2010-08-30T19:43:00.003+01:00

This Common Lizard was at the Stewartby Lake gullwatch this afternoon. It's the first one I can remember seeing at the lake for many years although I know they have been seen there by other people. Photo by Martin Green.

Red-legged Shieldbug

2010-08-30T16:29:00.001+01:00

A photogenically positioned Pentatoma rufipes dead centre of an angelica umbel at West Wood.

Photo by Keith Balmer

New to VC30 - Stigmella tiliae & Enteucha acetosae

2010-08-30T10:39:00.004+01:00

Leafmining micro-moths added to the Bedfordshire (VC30) list in the last week were Stigmella tiliae and Enteucha acetosae.

Stigmella tiliae was found mining the leaves of a Lime tree in Lower Stondon on 23th August by Melissa Banthorpe and subsequently at Woburn Park, The Lodge RSPB Sandy and Ampthill Park by Melissa and Andy. All scans by Andy Banthorpe

Stigmella tiliae mine from Lower Stondon 23/08/10

Stigmella tiliae mine + larva from Ampthill Park 29/08/10

Enteucha acetosae was found mining the leaves of Sheep's Sorrel at Ampthill Park on 29th August by Melissa and Andy.

Schizophrenic bramble

2010-08-29T18:35:00.004+01:00

Most leaves on these two suckers of bramble at Old Warden Tunnel are pure yellow but a couple were exactly half green. Does anyone know if this aberration has a name?

Stewartby Lake - sunrise

2010-08-28T21:15:00.002+01:00

There was an excellent sunrise at Stewartby Lake this morning, I haven't altered the colours on the photo. Unfortunately, I only had my long telephoto lens with me... Photo by Martin Green.

Flying Wolf

2010-08-22T19:01:00.004+01:00

I spotted this female Philanthus triangulum, the Bee Wolf, coming towards me at Sandy Smith NR and grabbed a few shots, but only this one was vaguely in focus:

Then she turned sideways towards her burrow and I was able to grab a few as she went past:

The honey bee she was carrying was then buried as food for her young. Here the burrow is being re-opened on her return, having concealed it with sand when she left:

Photos by Keith Balmer

Hunting flies

2010-08-22T19:00:00.000+01:00

There was an abundance of flies feeding on mint at Sandy Smith NR, making it an ideal hunting ground for Mellinus arvensis wasps. It was interesting to watch them stalk their prey. This one got away:

but this one wasn't so lucky!

Here's a sequence of stalking,
stinging to paralyse

wrestling

shaking violently

and finally hugging

before eventually flying off with it to her nest.

Photos by Keith Balmer

Small Ranunculus larvae

2010-08-14T20:40:00.004+01:00

Below are two photos of the larvae of the macro-moth Small Ranunculus on Prickly Lettuce. The upper one was found on 14th August in Lower Stondon and the lower brown form found in Flitwick on 12th. Photos by Andy Banthorpe.

2010-08-10T12:35:00.004+01:00

A female Common Emerald damselfly, at the 'Wall Brown' bridge at Rookery.
A (presumably Common?) Lizard at Rookery.

...and a (again presumably Common?) Toad at College Wood

A good day for reptiles and amphibians, not so good for butterflies, though I did see, but not photograph, a Wall Brown at Rookery, and I did manage to get some pics of the final resident Bedfordshire butterfly I hadn't photographed with my digital camera. I won't reveal the species, as it's too embarrassing.

Red-tipped Clearwing

2010-08-09T21:05:00.003+01:00

Chicksands Wood 8/8/10 near southern monument - an unexpected bonus while watching the White-letter Hairstreaks.

Blunham Lizard

2010-08-08T23:30:00.000+01:00

A lizard on a fencepost at Blunham actually turned its head sideways for the photo, its best side presumably.

Shame about the out-of-focus blade of grass in the foreground that I didn't notice!

Photo by Keith Balmer

Chicksands Wood

2010-08-07T22:11:00.002+01:00

I first thought this was a bishop's mitre but it didn't seem right so took a few pics which enabled confirmation as Eurygaster testudinaria the Tortoise Shieldbug. Bernard Nau and Sheila Brooke confirmed the ID, adding that they had recently found nymphs but this was the first adult record for the county.

Nearby was this stunning fly which deserved photographing. Many thanks to Stephen Plummer and John O'Sullivan for identifying as a male Phasia hemiptera tachinid fly.

Photos by Keith Balmer

Humming-bird Hawk-moth larva

2010-08-07T21:02:00.002+01:00

One of three larvae found at a site in north Beds this afternoon by Andy and myself - thanks to a tip-off from John Comont. Good to get a breeding record. Photo: Melissa Banthorpe

Tanner Beetle

2010-08-06T20:25:00.005+01:00

This whopper was sitting in a porch at The Lodge today, fantastic beast.

Renhold Hedge

2010-08-01T20:17:00.000+01:00

In a hedge north of Renhold was a Magpie laying on Blackthorn

and buff-tip larvae on an oak...

Pictures by Keith Balmer

GDB

2010-07-30T11:40:00.000+01:00

This monster beastie landed on my moth trap! Great Diving Beetle, Broom, 30th July 2010.

2010-07-27T15:02:00.013+01:00

Some butterflies from the weekend:
Red Admiral, Sharpenhoe Clappers, 24th July
A couple of (the many) Chalkhill Blues flying at Sharpenhoe Clappers, 24th July

Gatekeeper, King's Wood Heath & Reach , 24th July

A a couple of Silver-washed underwings , King's Wood Heath & Reach , 24th July

...and some Brown Argus and brown female Common Blues from Octagon Farm, 25th July

This is a Brown Argus, from the lack of spots on the forewing closer to the body than the elongated spot in the middle, and the 'colon' mark of the two spots near the middle of the forward edge of the hindwing.

The same individual showing a little upperwing - note the lack of white crescents at the rear of the orange and black spots on the upperwings, I think this may be a Brown Argus feature.

I think this is the same individual, taken a few seconds later when it had moved to a new flower. This probably makes it clearer that there are no spots on the inner forewing, though you can't see all of it.

This on the other hand is a very brown female Common Blue (taken to be a Brown Argus when I photographed it). Note the spot on the under forewing closer to the body than the double spot, and the absence of two spots on the under hindwing making a colon.

This is the same individual's upper side - note the blue on the body and hint of blue on the wing bases, despite the overall Brown Argus-like appearance. Note also the narrow white crescents behind the orange and black spots on the hindwings. I'm coming to the conclusion that these two species are more difficult to ID than I thought.

Finally, a nice blue male Common Blue at College Wood on the same day - clearly a spot on the inner forewing and no colon mark on the hindwing.

Beautiful Yellow Underwing

2010-07-27T09:06:00.002+01:00

Was trying to get some shots of the Colletes succinctus feeding on the heather at The Lodge when I saw a small moth in the heather. I recognised it as a Beautiful Yellow Underwing, but didn't realise that it was an unusual sight in Beds, so took a couple of snaps and moved on. ID has since been confirmed, making this the first Beds record since 1979!

Watch your weevil

2010-07-24T22:26:00.006+01:00

This Cerceris arenaria on Maulden Heath flies in with a weevil to stock her nest hole for her young to develop on.

However the hole had become obscured while she was away and she had to put down her prey to dig it open.
While her back was turned an opportunist Hedychrum niemelai (maybe) lays an egg on the weevil. Unless it was removed by the C.arenaria the ruby-tail's grub will kill the C.arenaria's grub and take over the food-store for itself

Pictures by Keith Balmer

WLH laying?

2010-07-24T21:59:00.005+01:00

This female White-letter Hairstreak in Maulden Wood was walking along Elm branches and seemingly laying on buds, typically near the ends of the branches, but on close inspection afterwards I couldn't find any eggs. Still, it shows where on elms to look for them during the winter months...

Keith Balmer

Anniversary Plaque

2010-07-24T09:06:00.000+01:00

The Natural History Society’s 25^th anniversary plaque at Centenary Wood, Pulloxhill, seen at the Butterfly Meeting on the 24^th July. Photo by David Anderson.

2010-07-22T12:56:00.005+01:00

Some shots from King's Wood Heath and Reach, Monday 19th July. First some Purple Hairstreaks, coming down onto bramble and low-growing oak in the heat:

A female Silver-washed Fritillary underwing:

And a male Southern Hawker dragonfly:

Brand new for VC30..........

2010-07-21T09:07:00.000+01:00

This little beastie is Duponchelia fovealis (1403a). It is an immigrant species originating from the Mediterranean region and 1st appeared in Britain in 1996. Usually coastal, it has taken 14 years to finally end up in our back yard and is the 5th new species of Micro Moth to be recorded this year!

Duponchelia fovealis- Upper Caldecote- 19/20th July 2010

Wilstead Wood

2010-07-20T19:05:00.010+01:00

A pleasant assortment of creatures at large today, beginning with an impressive Volucella inanis (I think, unless it is V.zonaria?)

Then a crab spider with the remains of a Barred Yellow:

The surprise of the day was a Red-tipped Clearwing. (There are a lot of goat willows in the wood on which it may have bred, which is why I was there looking for Purple Emperors (none seen)). It flew off immediately after this fuzzy banking shot, never to be seen again:

There was a nice selection of common butterflies (plus White Admiral and White-letter Hairstreak). Meadow Brown (female):

Ringlet and Small White:

Red Admiral:

Large Skipper:

Brown Argus:

Over-seeing it all was this five-legged Volucella pellucens (taken at 1/8000 second):

All pictures by Keith Balmer

2360 Ear Moth (Amphipoea oculea)

2010-07-18T22:51:00.002+01:00

Came to 15w actinic light Leighton Buzzard on 12/07/10 and kindly confirmed as A. oculea by A&M Banthorpe.

King's Wood, H&R

2010-07-18T18:59:00.001+01:00

Here are two of the 22 species seen this afternoon on a Butterfly Conservation field trip to King's Wood, Heath and Reach; two of seven Silver-washed Fritillaries and an obliging Purple Hairstreak:

Photos by Keith Balmer

2010-07-13T17:20:00.001+01:00

Nearly forgot! On Saturday in Chicksands Wood, Martin Green fails to step on a male Purple Emperor (damage to wings not done by Martin, AFAIK):