Hummingbird Hawk-moth

Hummingbird Hawk-moth, The Lodge, 9th July 2015

Sharp-angled Carpet

Sharp-angled Carpet,  The Lodge, 22nd July 2013

Ashy Mining Bee

Found a small number of males buzzing around a patch of sand at the lodge on Tuesday. Hopefully some females will make an appearance soon. From the distribution map on the BWARS handout they seem to be quite scarce this far east.

Synaphe punctalis

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

Another new micro for Beds

Pempelia Palumbella - photo by Colin Campbell

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

Rhododendron Leafhopper

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

Western Conifer Seed Bug

A splendid individual on the walls at The Lodge this morning

Tanner Beetle

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

Beautiful Yellow Underwing

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!

Cockchaffer

This Cockchaffer was photographed at the Lodge by Ben Andrew. 24th may 2010.

Tip-top

Finally a stationary orange tip! Snapped on my way to work on the Potton-Sandy footpath.

Spider hunting wasp

I waited for about an hour watching a number of these chaps at The Lodge. They were very accommodating, but spent most of their time digging underground. This is the most interesting clip I got. I guess/presume it's Anoplius viaticus, but I could be very, very wrong!

Syromastus rhombeus

Another new squash bug at the lodge (try to stay calm!) Usually associated with coastal habitats but increasingly found inland in scrubby habitats.

Platyrhinus resinosus

This nationally notable B weevil was sitting on the office window today at The Lodge.
Also a rather fine minotaur beetle on the path up by the hill fort

Mini mushers

I thought these two were quite sweet.

Spring at last

A fantastic afternoon this Sunday at The Lodge - bees everywhere and a smattering of butterflies. At least 6 species of bumblebees out and about (lucorum, terrestris, lapidarius, pratorum, hypnorum and one type of cuckoo). A small tortoiseshell and red admiral were a welcome sight too.

Half a dragonfly?

I came across this bizarre sight by one of the ponds at The Lodge last week. It took me a few seconds to realise that this darter had been pulled into a hole by something (a wasp?). As you can see by the second 'action' shot, he wasn't too happy about it!

Purple hairstreak

I was really lucky to find this purple hairstreak sitting calmly on a bramble at The Lodge this Sunday.

Four wings and a funeral

Came across these peacock remains yesterday at The Lodge. I think it might be the result of a hornet giving it a bit of a 'trim'.

new finds at the lodge

Some new finds for me yesterday at the lodge


Stictoleptura rubra female

Short-winged Conehead

A bizarre looking froghopper Ditropis pteridis, feeds on bracken so must be pretty common around here