meantime , will have to make do with another species that does exactly the same usually , but 
today stayed around feeding on the peanuts , and a Greenfinch , having gorged itself once , was waiting to get back on the feeder for seconds .Lunchtime promised better to come , but by the time I reached Fackenden Down , the cloud had rolled in again , and a cool NW breeze was blowing along the slope , not good conditions for reptiles . And so it proved , with just two Slow Worms and two Common Lizards being recorded
on the site and in the surrounding area , one of the Common Lizards having lost it's tail at some time , and looking strange with two legs in the ring of it's body . Butterflies did just as badly , 
with just 6 recorded from 4 species . The only shot was this male Large White , nectaring on one of the few remaining Black Knapweed flowers still in flower . Birds recorded were mainly Corvids , with about 10 Magpies being the most numerous . I did see two Sparrowhawks that 
looked as if they were practising food exchanges , until a couple of the local Carrion Crows decided to have a go at them . They won that one , but were immediately set upon by 6 Magpies , and were obviously outnumbered and driven off , the Magpies seemed to cheer loudly as they went .Not much colour on the slope now , but standing out in patches are the fruits of the Wild
Privet , looking not unlike the fruits of the Buckthorn .Even the Grasshopper numbers have crashed , but I did find a female Dark Bush Cricket ,
identified by the ovipositor at the end of her abdomen . And finally , a green caterpillar , about 
4cms. long , with a yellow collar , that I thought would make it easy to identify . I've looked at pages and pages of images , but haven't ID'd it yet . Any ideas ?A big thank you to Steve/Kingsdowner , for his identification , Green Silver Lines , even down to the red anal prolegs . Cheers Steve .
sunshine , I set off around the reserve , and almost immediately found a Peacock butterfly , 
of that . From the legs back , it looked like a 
that was , was Goat's Rue-
was a very good crop of Rose Hips , that should satisfy the hunger of the Winter Thrushes , when they arrive . Butterflies were very few , with 8 specimens from 6 species being recorded . 
Most were ragged to say the least , but this Small Copper was very dapper indeed . 
within 15 
interest was a Forest Bug-
it was sealed at the top , I assume that she had already laid her eggs . Looking like a hot air balloon , and suspended by a 
of an over mature Common Darter , resting on Bracken , Difficult to say whether a male or female , as they both go a dark beige/brown colour at this time . Next stop was right on the road crossing on the Common , where I first saw a Wasp Spider egg sack , two years ago . An old sack was found , but nothing fresh , until I came across another female , and from the size of her , she 
had not yet laid her eggs , and having made her web across a small track , enabled a full on shot . Also in the shot is the 
the entrance . After a sort while , this enormous specimen , much bigger than any I have seen there , appeared at the entrance , I think it may be one of the future Queens , but cannot be sure . Shortly afterwards , the workers started taking an interest in me , so I backed off , in big strides . A little later , I spent quite some time trying to photograph a female Ichneumon type fly , without success , because she just would not keep still . Walking through the Heather on 
heathland area , I was surprised to disturb yet another Clouded Yellow . This must be my 14/16
find and identify , Small 
and Black 
found , a female , was egg laying as if there was no tomorrow , flitting from here to there , laying , then resting , before starting to lay again . She seemed not to notice me following her , and after several attempts , managed to get a shot of her in the act , the tip of her abdomen depositing 
next year's generation . I found several of the eggs after she had moved on , tiny little specks of white against the green leaf . Eventually she disappeared , probably having layed all her eggs , and hopefully to get a rest . The other species recorded were Speckled Wood , Meadow Brown , Large White and Comma . The rising temperature encouraged the Odonata to emerge . Just two 
species were recorded , 3 Migrant Hawkers , all males , one of them showing the damage 
inflicted when two males clash in mid air over territory , but it made no difference to his flying ability , as they were still squabbling , even though there wasn't a female present . The Common Darters were much much more numerous , with 35/50 recorded , and the majority were either mating or egg laying in tandem . One particular spot seemed to be very popular , as I found 
three pairs in 'the ring' , within 25 cms. of each other , top right , bottom left and just right 
Brown Hawker , and this male Southern Hawker , which gave me a good looking over , even attempting to snatch a yellow logo from my camera bag . I didn't go down to the bottom pond as tree surgeons were working down there , and the Mandarins would have made themselves scarce . Walking back to the car , what looked like a leaf , blowing on the ground , on closer 
inspection turned out to be a moth , lying on it's back , with a Common Wasp looking as if it was eating it . If it was , I know it happens in nature , but I like moths better than Wasps , so i flicked it off with a stick , and turned the moth over . It turned out to be a male , identified by the 
feathery antennae , but that is as far as I have got . But I do know a man who might be able to help !
him in my 'holding pot' , a plastic jar that I think held nuts and raisins originally , whilst we sorted things out . The light in the shot is natural sunlight , I never use flash on these animals . 
He had a good weight , and I 'posted' him back into his home , none the worse for wear . I was hoping to find some interesting fungi today , especially in the damper area where we found him , but very little was about . I did find one specimen of one the lower classes of fungi , 
class , but there are a few , like this 
this Hunting type Spider , sat on top , a female , carrying her egg sack with her . It wasn't till the second site that the only Adder , a female was found under 
pose for a few shots , she was sharing with two immature Grass Snakes . One shot off straight away , but the other stayed to be included in the shot . On this second site , we trebled our Dormouse numbers , when we found a female and a juvenile . The picture is of the juvenile , a 
male weighing in at just 6.5 grammes , he will need to feed up now to get a good hibernation weight . Under 
constant call from this juvenile Great Crested Grebe , hastened my decision to look for wildlife elsewhere . Two species of butterfly were recorded towards the end of the visit , when the sun appeared again , 6 Comma and 3 Small White .
Argus and a couple of Silver Y day flying moths . I had to lift a few tins , but only found 3 Slow 
Worms , a single Common Lizard and an immature , female Adder . More butterfly species were recorded , with Small Copper , Brimstone , Meadow Brown , Large White and Comma going into the book .
identified as 
heavy rain on Friday night . Several more Small Coppers were recorded , this one 
male Adder was found on this site . Taking both sites together , 11 species of butterfly and 4 Silver Y moths were , surprisingly recorded , 
Spider-Araneus diadematus , but a flash of yellow on one , had me taking a closer look . My near three year wait was over , it was a female Wasp Spider . The last time I saw an adult of the 
species , I had 10 females in two patches of Bramble at Spring Park Pond . I have found egg sacks , mainly when working on the Common during the Winter . Strange thing is thou , I have never found an egg sack that looked as if young had emerged from it , they have all looked as if they were still sealed , as the female would do . I had a good look around the area , but did not find any others , but I will keep an eye on this one , would be great to get her egg laying . Chuffed with the find , I headed off to check a previous find , the Hornet nest . All seemed quiet from a distance , but as I drew closer , that was not the case . Whereas on the last
visit , the entrance just looked like a hole in the moss and Heather roots , now the paper type material of the nest can be seen , extending right to the mouth of the entrance , and I would swear that the Hornets were even bigger than last time , four seen here , three heading out and 
one in . I had the feeling of being watched on the heathland area , the watcher turned out to be a cock Pheasant , and he was watching a female . No sign of Brimstones today , but the Buckthorn , 
on which the females laid their eggs and the caterpillars fed , are now looking Autumnal , and their berries turning black . On one of the Heather patches , I found a Common Lizard , one of 
three recorded on site , enjoying the sunshine . Just two butterflies were recorded on site , a 
Small White and this Comma .
cooler temperatures needed . Two species that I did find were Hypholoma sublateritium-
Brickcap and Calocera viscosa , both found on moss covered tree stumps . The only other interest found was this male Dark Bush-Cricket , identified by the saddle on the back and no 
ovipositor , which seemed to be having a Darcey Bussell moment .
seemed to take exception to my presence , circling , noisily , several times , before heading off for a quieter spot . At the same time , I saw a pair of Common Buzzard , two fields away , and unfortunately heading away up the valley . The sunshine really brought the lake to life , with 
50+ Common Darter recorded , all with two things on their minds , mate , and then lay the eggs for the continuance of the species . This was probably the largest number of Common Darter I had seen on the site this year , and definitely the largest numbers recorded mating and egg 
laying in tandem . I also recorded 2 Migrant Hawkers and a single Brown Hawker . I had a look 
around the harvested field edge , and found Common Field Speedwell , and also Field Pansy-
Viola 
pod of one of the Irises , split open and ready to broadcast it's seeds , very Autumnal I thought .
and this Peacock that almost landed on my boots , looking like it had been roused from hibernation by the somewhat 
returned , they were very wary , and stayed amongst the tree branches that were in the water .
Sulphur 
and I couldn't resist . And finally , as I was just finishing my walk , a reminder of a children's craze of a few years ago , Ninja Turtles . I found this terrapin sunning itself about 10 
from the busiest part of the area , where the ice cream van parks . It wasn't worried , as long as it got all parts tanned , especially those large back paddles .
nest . This one was not so busy as the last , the cooler temperatures reducing the activity . Just one butterfly was recorded , a Speckled Wood . The only other thing of interest was found 
amongst the debris brought down by the recent winds , close to where I parked the car . It is the fruits , a nut within leafy bracts , of the Hornbeam-
checking one web , a fly flew or was blown into it and the resident Garden Spider made sure it didn't get away . I walked back to the car along the hedge that we 
showing off it's pink fruits , that will split open in time and reveal it's orange seeds , that will hopefully produce more Spindle plants .
couple of shots , before the beautiful female Marsh Harrier , disappeared into the distance , carried on that wind . I was hoping to find one or two Yellow Wagtails on the track , but they 
must have already headed South . The most numerous bird seen was the Lapwing . Further on , I spotted a Kestrel , continually hovering , then dropping to the ground , only to fly a bit further 
and repeat the whole thing . I couldn't see for sure , but I thought it might have been catching Grasshoppers . A few more distant sightings of Marsh Harrier and a couple of Little Egret , was all that was found on the way to the car park . The hides are a good walk from there , so I got all my gear together and set off . I stopped at the Orchard , but there was no sign of the Long Eared Owls at roost , not surprising , as the trees were almost horizontal . Whilst looking for the 
steady the binoculars , but I did see 4/5 
this specimen , which I think is a 
Teal and about 20/25 
As I was leaving this hide , I came across the biggest Devil's Coach Horse that I have ever seen , it must have been 3/4 
the track , I found this Kestrel , posing on a gate post . I'm not sure if it was the one seen earlier or another one . Just before reaching the road , a small flock of birds were bathing in a puddle .
They flew off as I approached , but this one posed just long enough for a shot on the fence wire , another 
Lavender , and , amongst the 
few bushes of Sea 
that was all I did , as I only recorded 4 Slow Worms under all the refugia , and just one Common Lizard on top of one of the tins . Not a sign of an Adder or a Grass Snake , even though the temperature was still around 16C . In the absence of Reptiles , I had to hope for other interests , 
and wasn't let down , when I found my old friend , the Common Awl Robberfly , taking breakfast on one of the corrugated iron tins . I am not certain , but it looked to me as if the Robberfly had his beak embedded in the back of his victim . After allowing a couple of shots , it flew off to continue it's meal in private .
are still showing well . My first sighting this year of Devilsbit Scabious , and the diminutive 
Dwarf Thistle , which barely has a stem to support the flower .
specimens from 4 species were recorded . A female Chalkhill Blue , in reasonable condition , was found , but no other of the species , so she could well have missed the boat . Small Coppers on the
other hand , could go on to the end of October , given reasonable weather . The one I recorded 
on site was very fresh , but one I found later off site , was decidedly beyond it's sell by date . Also
in the same category , was this Common Field Grasshopper , but it was still fit enough to spring out of sight before a second shot could be taken . Another Hornet was also seen .
Nightshade-Atropa bella-donna . It is of course , these glossy black fruits that make this plant extremely poisonous . Heading back to the car , the roadside bank provided a splash of welcome 
colour in the form of Common Toadflax .
this Squirrel's tail down the garden this morning . We can only guess at who bit it off , the Fox that was lying in the sun the other evening ?
reference book for moth caterpillars , which I think it is . A good colour likeness in the shot , and the pink line running the length on the back , is the prominent feature . Any ideas please ?
identifiable as a couple of Starlings , but , when the action started , not quite so identifiable . 
I start down the garden , and it hears something , bad shot , but I was on the move .
It decides to investigate further ,
Oh , it's only him , I've got time for a stretch and yawn before I slope off .
Unfortunately the sun was going down behind the Fox , which didn't help .
the Nuthatch that has started visiting the garden feeders . I got three shots of it taking a single Sunflower heart on each visit . Then I went down and moved the Summer Jasmine that was masking the shot , and waited for it's return from the carport . Needless to say , it didn't come back again , but we did see it this afternoon . Whilst in the carport waiting , I did manage a shot 
of a young Greenfinch , without the Summer Jasmine . I shall try again for the Nuthatch another day .
the same , with the exception of a juvenile Cormorant , denoted by the pale belly . It seemed very naive about what it should , or should not be doing , but seemed to like to be on the landing stage . As I walked around the lake , it kept a watchful eye on me , and , when I got too close , it 
moved off into the lake , to return to it's favoured spot , once I had passed by . Other birds of note seen on site were , Green Woodpecker ,Mistle Thrush , a pair of Swallows and the pair of Little Grebe .
butterfly , a very worn male Common Blue , but it did provide a good example of the extra spot on the underwing of the Common Blue , compared to the Brown Argus underwing . It's that right hand one of the row of four , at 11 o'clock to it's eye , just under the boomerang shaped spot . Remember though , the wings need to be slightly apart to see this spot . Just after photographing the Common Blue , I disturbed a young male Roe Deer that had been laying in the long grass . By the time I got the camera out again , he was leaping out of sight , but still nice to find . Just one Small White and 9 Speckled Woods , were all the butterflies recorded on what will probably be my last visit to the site for this year .
seen bottom right , and , yet another member of the large Pea family , Hop Trefoil . 
Ruddy Darters , one posing for the camera on some gone over Black Knapweed heads . The lack of water in the ditches did not seem to deter the Damselflies , as they were making the most of
the warm sunshine in sheltered corners . A pair of Blue Tailed Damselflies , and a pair of 
Common Blue Damselflies , both pairs in the ring or wheel position . Also seen were plenty of Common Darters , a few Red Eyed Damselflies and two male Brown Hawkers .
temperatures forcasted to fall over the next few days .
found in good numbers . A fly over Grey Heron was about as exciting as it got . I crossed the railway tracks , and on my way towards the river , met a local birder Allan , who told me that he had just got his first ever Spotted Flycatcher for the site , and also a large Tit flock with a Chiffchaff tagging on . We chatted for a while , then went on our separate ways . It was good to meet you Allan , and enjoyed the chat . As I reached the river , Bullfinch and Blackcap were heard , but neither species showed itself . A short way along the river , there was a lot of wing slapping on water , but I could not see what was causing it , due to the thick vegetation along the bank . When I got to an open area , I found three Mute Swans just leaving the water and onto
the far bank . From the way two of them carried their wings , I would say that they were males , and the third , a female or juvenile . The two males seemed to be handing out a lesson to the third one , with both of them pecking and one at times , holding the third one down . This must have been the source of the noise earlier on . After giving the third one a hard time for several minutes , they all walked away as if nothing had happened . Something had obviously happened 
to the next bird I saw on the far bank . It was an adult Grey Heron , that looked as if it had a broken wing and a broken leg , as it was getting agitated with the conflict with the three Swans , ans was trying to get away from it , but it's injuries wouldn't let it . There was nothing I could do , so had to leave it to it's fate . Shortly afterwards , I came across Alan's Chiffchaff , having separated from the Tit flock , but not lucky enough to find the Spotted Flycatcher . I found a male Kestrel hunting over the Sunken Marsh , and am pretty sure I had a Cetti's Warbler , with a subdued song , not far from the paperworks .
by it's legs . Fortunately it landed almost in front of me , and I managed to get a couple of shots . The piece of wood or straw , turned out to be a female Common Blue Damselfly , that the Wasp must have caught . Once it steadied itself in the stiff breeze , the Wasp proceeded to have the Damselfly for elevenses . I wouldn't have thought that the Wasp could have handled the Damselfly , but I was proved wrong , and as I left , one third of it's meal had already been consumed . Whilst looking for Odonata at one of the fishing platforms , I thought I had come 
across yet another Hornet from a distance , but it turned out to be the largest of the Hoverflies , Volucella Zonaria . The only reptile found on the site was a Common Lizard that was sunning itself on a piece of wood , but not interested in posing for the camera .
one that was getting a hard time , and now doing it's own thing .
think aggressive 
showing the 'springs' that can propel is , when it wants to move quickly .
season .
Marigold . It is one of those plants that doesn't quite open , and this is as good as it gets . Also , 
still in bloom around the edges of the top pond is Common 
it is available , if not she will revert to the vegetation . Unfortunately the light was from behind her , but there was nothing I could do about that . I carried on taking shots , when another 
female landed on the same piece of wood , and back to back synchronised 
several Moorhen . On my way over to the bog area , I came across a stand of Honey Fungus- 
seed heads still give a colourful display , especially with Heather in the background . The only other thing of interest was a blue form , female Common Blue Damselfly , who , from the lack of 
any males seen , has probably missed the boat .
were both under a large Oak tree , from which they probably fell . This one was still moving , just , but the other was wrapped in the Blanket Weed , and I think was dead . Any ideas ?
coloured ones that wraps itself around a stalk when it lands . But when this one landed on Bracken , I could see a faint pattern on it's wings , length about 1.5/2 
managed 6 , and Comma and Brown Argus (pictured) , both made 3 each . 2 Large White , and 
singles of Green Veined and Small (pictured) , along with single Small Copper and Red Admiral finished things off . Up on Burnt Gorse , I encountered another Hornet , but this one was alone , 
and was searching at ground level , in amongst the vegetation . In the same area , and looking like Pearl Barley , the almost silvery seeds of Common 
it's white flowers next year . At the Orchid Bank all was quiet , with the Hemp 
Awl 
several Solitary Bee holes , and of course this species preys on the Bees . Also found on the way round were 5 Common Darter and 1 Migrant Hawker . Close to the end of the transect , I had just recorded a tawny coloured Comma , when a male Southern Hawker landed on the Brambles 
about a metre away . I got a couple of shots from a distance , then started to get closer . 
It didn't move off , so I got closer still , looking straight into that large compound , blue eye 
I must admit , that getting this close , I couldn't help but try to get him to pose on my finger , but , after getting two legs onto my finger , he changed his mind , and disappeared at speed . Only other things of interest were a couple of Silver Y moths , Rose Ringed Parakeets and Coal Tit heard , but not seen .
Conifer , but in or garden . From the amount of roots incorporated in the build , my money is on 
Eventually , he got bored , or tired , and I watched him settle on some Bracken . I slowly made my way over , and got my shots , before leaving him in peace , to enjoy the sunshine .
last Autumn , and I'm pretty sure it was the same specimen that we found there on the last Reptile survey . Being on top of a ridge , the wind was quite gusty , but not as bad as the 
forecast , but it certainly kept butterfly numbers down . I did find one Comma , feeding on Bramble fruit , but it looked very slow and lethargic . In the next glade , which we call the 'Bomb Hole' , because of it's crater shape , two more male Southern Hawkers and a male Common Darter were recorded . Round by the lake , a female Pheasant , with dark markings , casually 
wandered into view , scratched about a bit , then wandered off again . The 
lake produced 2 immature Grass Snakes , but nothing more . Two non reptile species found under 
The wind kept bird sightings well down , the best being a Bullfinch calling and a 
into the 
White and a very tatty Common Blue . I did find one day flying moth , a Silver Y , which definitely looked unhappy with the conditions and was well down in the vegetation . Just a 
handful of Common Darters were recorded , and not a single Damselfly . Just the usual Mallard 
types , Coots and Moorhens were on the water , with just 2 Little Grebe , feeding on the sheltered side . Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker and two small flocks of Goldfinches , feeding on seed heads , were recorded .
Sycamore , I found one of the easier fungi to identify , as it is what it is named , Coral Spot Fungi -
like it was sunbathing on a Heather hammock . I had to pass the Hornet's nest , so had a quick 
look . The activity is still as brisk , so , not pushing my luck , one quick shot , and I was away .
this Brown Argus , 
