House Martins

The House Martins that return annually to our eaves have been steadily dropping in numbers over the last three Summers. We have nine natural nest cups on our house, along with two more on the neighbouring property, nine were occupied three years ago, now we're down to just three in use so far this year. The first of which successfully fledged a brood on 26th June.

25th April need to do some tidying by the looks of those cobwebs.

26th June Fledging.

Images : Copyright © Don Stone.  

Scarlet Tiger Moth

Had a couple of these colourful daytime flying Moths visiting our garden. 

This one is a bit past it's best.

Images : Copyright © Don Stone.

Cinnabar Moth Caterpillars.

Found several of these colourful caterpillars feeding on Ragwort. Always remind me of Twister ice lollies. 

Images : Copyright © Don Stone.

Bernwood Forest

Bernwood Forest is an excellent location for Purple Emperor butterflies, I've visited for the last five years, still not seen one. Made a couple of visits in the last few weeks, plenty of butterflies to be seen.... but still no Purple Emperor for me!!!!

Red Admiral

White Admiral

Silver-washed Fritillary

Small Skipper

Large Skipper

Gatekeeper

Ringlet

Marbled White

Peacock

Images : Copyright © Don Stone.

  

Fox Family

Images : Copyright © Don Stone.

 Evening Walk

A short evening walk once the day had cooled down, nice to see a Roe Deer close up and a retreating Fox.

Meadow Brown

Red Admiral

Images : Copyright © Don Stone.

Emerging Broad - bodied Chaser

First time I've witnessed this, a Broad - bodied Chaser transitioning from a Nymph.

 

Images : Copyright © Don Stone.

Orchids

Spent a couple of hours at BBOWT College Lake looking for Orchids found three species.

Common-spotted Orchid.

 

Pyramidal Orchid.

Bee Orchid.

Plenty of other flowers to be seen including this one... Dragon's-teeth which I particularly like, just look at those veins in the petals.

Images Copyright : Don Stone.

Grey Heron

Grey Heron stood on the river bank patiently waiting for an unsuspecting meal to appear.

 

Images : Copyright © Don Stone.

Broad - bodied Chaser 

We've had a male Broad-bodied Chaser visiting the garden pond daily since 21st May.

Images : Copyright © Don Stone.