Tuesday 9 July 2019

Pond 'n Park

A brief spin around the pond produced lots of Pantaloon Bees, probably the most numerous after Honey Bee. Cheilosia illustrata were in double figures having only seen two previously in 2019. A single Great Crested Grebe was the best bird and the hot perimeter path was good for sunning Black-tailed Skimmers, all males. A robberfly (below) Dysmachus trigonus was polishing off a Sarcophaga spp.

At the park Marbled White is now more numerous that any other species.
This fox must be pretty deaf as it sat scratching and poking about amongst the orchids etc despite me being just yards away and taking pictures; goes to show how quiet mirrorless cameras are. Eventually it turned, saw me and bolted.

The bottom path has been partly mown/strimmed opening up a nice 'flight-corridor' for all the usual butterflies and a male Emperor Dragonfly. A Dark Green Fritillary was nice to see here especially as it was perching frequently. Later, speaking to the Raynors, they had seen many DGFs on Butser, mostly blown around in the strong breeze, but little else barring Bee Orchids.

This male Hybomitra horsefly was sat on the car bonnet on return.