Monday 22 June 2015

The Moorhens that nested unsuccessfully on the post near the bridge have turned their attention to another almost equally unsuitable nest site, on the pontoon structure that is being used to repair the bridge. At least the wire fence makes it a bit harder for a gull to swoop on it.


A Grey Heron near the Italian Garden had got into deeper water than it liked.


It quickly jumped out on to the adjacent Coots' nest, which was unoccupied, and shook itself dry like a dog.


The family of Reed Warblers at the east end of the reed bed by the Diana fountain were unusually visible. The male was singing and the young were calling for food.


There was also a singing male Reed Warbler on the west side of the Long Water.

Both Hobbies could he heard, and one flew out between the trees in the direction of the Round Pond. Maybe it intended to hunt for a House Martin, of which there were a good number flying over the water, but when I got to the pond it had moved on.


There was a family of Pied Wagtails flying around the edge of the pond.


The female Little Owl was in last year's chestnut tree again, and was unusually unworried by being photographed -- in fact I thought she was the calm male when I started taking pictures.


There was a Meadow Brown butterfly in the long grass near the Speke obelisk, the first I've seen this year.


In the wildflower patch behind the Lido, a marigold had attracted what I thought was a honeybee. However, it turns out to be a drone fly.


6 comments:

  1. Hi Ralph
    What butterflies breed on site?
    Thanks

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    1. I have no evidence of breeding, but other common residents are Brimstone, Comma, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Peacock, Red Admiral, Small Skipper, Small Tortoiseshell, Small White, and Speckled Wood.

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  2. Lovely heron photos. They usually look so composed and imposing!

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  3. Hi Ralph.. nice photos, however the Marsh Marigold bee is not a bee at all. It is a drone fly, a bee mimic if you will. -Bill

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the correction, a mere 18 months late. This is supposed to be a blog of record, so I've changed the page. I was also reproved by someone else on another post for calling these flowers Marsh Marigolds. They are in fact Field Marigolds, Calendula arvensis.

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