Woke up to it raining this morning , but unfortunately it didn't last for long . As soon as it stopped , out came the sun and combined with a strong wind , seemed to suck back up any moisture that was lying around . That wind was incredibly strong , especially up on the Greensand Ridge , where I had headed to see if the rain and drop in temperature had had any effect on the reptiles on the heathland area , where they have been few and far between for ages now . I thought that it was going to be a bumper visit , when after 20 minutes or so , I found these
three , two males and a female , tucked away out of the wind . At first there was just a single male with the female , then in came the other male , but it didn't cause any friction , so I can only assume that the female , having mated last year , is on her 'year off' , as the females of the species 
only mate every other year . When I passed by later , it was just the female still laying out , no sign of the two males . But that was all that I did find this morning , and I'm still no further forward to understanding where we are in the season regarding the Adders .
three , two males and a female , tucked away out of the wind . At first there was just a single male with the female , then in came the other male , but it didn't cause any friction , so I can only assume that the female , having mated last year , is on her 'year off' , as the females of the species only mate every other year . When I passed by later , it was just the female still laying out , no sign of the two males . But that was all that I did find this morning , and I'm still no further forward to understanding where we are in the season regarding the Adders .I stopped off at the Common on the way home to check on the Great Spotted Woodpeckers . The place was like Piccadilly Circus , with a Fun Walk in aid of a local hospice in full swing , and the return path being the one alongside the GSW's nest site . Combining the number of people , bands playing not far away and constant loudspeaker announcements , and of course the
wind , the birds had enough to cope with , and after seeing both adults arrive with food , I left them to it .
wind , the birds had enough to cope with , and after seeing both adults arrive with food , I left them to it .And finally , few shots that I didn't have room for on the Glanville Fritillary post . If ever you 
come face to face with one of these butterflies , this is what it looks like .
come face to face with one of these butterflies , this is what it looks like .The track through some parts of the woodland was alive with Wood Ants , and they all seemed to have just one single task , collecting food and getting it back to the nest .
This looks like the remains of the leafhopper , Cercopsis vulnerata .
A dismembered abdomen of another insect .
And even doubling up to drag this larvae .
And this is where it was all going , a heaving pile of material , complete with chimneys to regulate the internal temperature , containing goodness knows how many insects .
And even doubling up to drag this larvae .And this is where it was all going , a heaving pile of material , complete with chimneys to regulate the internal temperature , containing goodness knows how many insects .
3 comments:
I dont think the Adders know where they are in the year either Greenie!
Nice face on the G F :-)
Unfortunately I doubt I ever will see a Glanville Fritillary but what a good photo!
It sounds like the GSWs didn't pick the most sensible place to nest, I hope it has a satisfactory outcome.
Ants really are fascinating creatures!
I didn't realise until you told us that the female Adder only mates every other year.
Some nice shots Greenie, The Adders are seen less here now, especially the males. I have seen 2 young Adders though, and I would say one of them was born last year, it really was quite small in size. They both showed fantastic colouration, as to be expected of young snakes.
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