Interesting insects

Hello

Phew that was a hot one - and more to come it seems! The temperature levels were about thirty degrees Centigrade at Pitsford Reservoir this afternoon. Birds noted at Pitsford today included an Osprey over the Scaldwell Bay this afternoon, a first summer Yellow-legged Gull and at least two Great White Egrets (two seen initially in The Walgrave Bay and two seen subsequently in the Scaldwell Bay). Dragonflies were out in large numbers and the warm weather and low wind speeds saw Blue Emperors and Black-tailed Skimmers hunting right out in the middle of the bays. Pheromone traps were used to attract both Hornet Clearwing and Lunar Hornet Clearwing moths.

Barn Owls were active in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this evening.

Birds at Stanford Reservoir today included two Black-tailed Godwits, ten Little Egrets, a Common Sandpiper, a Hobby, two Ravens and two Cetti's Warblers.

The Lilbourne reserve and DIRFT area provided views of a Common Redstart, four Curlews, two Green Sandpipers and a Little Ringed Plover.

A Purple Emperor was at Salcey Forest - again along the track beyond the Horsebox car park and other butterflies included four White Admirals and three Silver-washed Fritillaries. Marbled White butterflies were active at Heyford Fields today.

Regards

Neil M

Common Swift acting as
a host to the Swift Lousefly
 or Flatfly Crataerina pallida.

Close-up of the remarkable
Crataerina pallida.

Images courtesy of
Sue Hetherington.

Black Arches moth courtesy
of Michelle Spinks.

Elephant Hawk-moth courtesy
of Michelle Spinks.