After the excitement of yesterday's away day , the day started with a hospital visit for Carol , her foot still swollen and painful after 11 days . After an x-ray , the good news was that no bones were broken , and the bad that it might take 6 months for the bruising to go completely , but at least she is able to go on with more confidence with the good part of the news .
We got home in time for me to have an hour at Spring Park Pond before lunch , but the wind was getting up and that was bringing in the cloud . The only interest was in the vegetation around 
the pond , where I found a Peacock , still in reasonable condition . Only other species of butterfly recorded were Small White and Dingy Skipper , both in the small meadow . A few Azure Damselflies and three male Broad Bodied Chasers , all found tucked away out of the wind , 
included this male BBC with a dent in one of his large compound eyes , probably picked up in an aerial skirmish . Almost along side the dragonfly , was the first Hedge Woundwort/Stachys 
sylvatica that I have seen in flower this year . A look around the small , normally sheltered 
meadow , found where the female BBCs were hanging out , three of them perched amongst the 
Bramble . Also a pair of aliens , Harlequin Ladybirds , caught in a compromising situation , and 
the first of the large hoverflies found this year , Volucella pellucens . A look amongst the Stinging Nettles for any signs of butterfly caterpillars did not produce any , but there were large numbers 
of the Weevil , Phyllobius viridiaris .
the pond , where I found a Peacock , still in reasonable condition . Only other species of butterfly recorded were Small White and Dingy Skipper , both in the small meadow . A few Azure Damselflies and three male Broad Bodied Chasers , all found tucked away out of the wind , included this male BBC with a dent in one of his large compound eyes , probably picked up in an aerial skirmish . Almost along side the dragonfly , was the first Hedge Woundwort/Stachys sylvatica that I have seen in flower this year . A look around the small , normally sheltered meadow , found where the female BBCs were hanging out , three of them perched amongst the Bramble . Also a pair of aliens , Harlequin Ladybirds , caught in a compromising situation , and the first of the large hoverflies found this year , Volucella pellucens . A look amongst the Stinging Nettles for any signs of butterfly caterpillars did not produce any , but there were large numbers of the Weevil , Phyllobius viridiaris . After lunch , with just a few breaks in the cloud but no let up in the wind , I spent an hour walking up on the very dry Common . On the heathland area I found a Black-tailed Skimmer , 
probably a female , but one can never be sure at the early stage . I came across two groups of 
Chiffchaffs , probably family groups , feeding and constantly calling as they did so . Good to see that they have bred successfully again this year . As it was after noon , the Goatsbeard/Jack-goes-
to-bed-at Noon , was true to it's name . My final stop was at the Great Spotted Woodpecker's nest hole , which you can't miss with the noise coming from it now . Both birds looked wary as they 
returned from each search for food , which is noticeably much longer than it used to be ,probably having eradicated all sources around the nest site . And this could well be the explanation , as one
of the youngsters , looking almost as big as the adult , manages to get to the front of the queue for getting food from the female . And . regardless of the size of the youngsters , some things are 
still necessary , but how the female got into the hole and got out with a pooh sack is beyond me .
probably a female , but one can never be sure at the early stage . I came across two groups of Chiffchaffs , probably family groups , feeding and constantly calling as they did so . Good to see that they have bred successfully again this year . As it was after noon , the Goatsbeard/Jack-goes-to-bed-at Noon , was true to it's name . My final stop was at the Great Spotted Woodpecker's nest hole , which you can't miss with the noise coming from it now . Both birds looked wary as they returned from each search for food , which is noticeably much longer than it used to be ,probably having eradicated all sources around the nest site . And this could well be the explanation , as one of the youngsters , looking almost as big as the adult , manages to get to the front of the queue for getting food from the female . And . regardless of the size of the youngsters , some things are still necessary , but how the female got into the hole and got out with a pooh sack is beyond me .And finally , one for the man , a micro I'd say , found around the pond at Spring Park . If , no , when the man identifies it , I still am unable to edit any posts since Blogger went awol , so will only be able to add it to my next post .
3 comments:
There's always something that doesn't work with blogger Greenie!
Good early brood of Chiffies you found, i'm still on the lookout for that - and what is it with the wind this year!!!!!!!!!!!!
Like you say, Greenie, good & bad news regards Carol`s foot.
I`ll have a look at the micro for you when you next do an update.
Hi Greenie, great shots of the Woodpeckers feeding there. And i just mentioned to Warren on his blog, that it seems everyone is finding dragonflies on their patch, but so far all ive seen at Clare park lake is 3 Damselflies! I cant wait to see some Broad bodied chasers finally emerge at my patch!
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