Sunday, 31 May 2020

The darling bugs (and beasties) of May 2020.

Since the lockdown eased I have enjoyed 3 visits to a local common, namely Highgate Common, containing a mix of woodland and heathland and is owned by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. It is a popular place so one has to hope there is a space on one of the car parks you wish to start your walk from. The Common is approximately 10 miles from my home, too far away for me to walk to and back home and I do not cycle so by car it has to be!
The weather has been so good lately making walks even more enjoyable and with the birds singing sweetly what more could you ask for!

Bird species seen on the 3 walks (and most seen on each visit) were in no particular order: Tree-pipit, Blackbird, Songthrush, Bullfinch, Carrion Crow, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Garden Warbler, Blue and Great Tits, Chaffinch, Robin, Long-tailed Tit, Moorhen, Jay, Common Buzzard, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Nuthatch, and Dunnock. Cuckoo heard on each visit, and a joy to hear!
 A few images taken over the 3 visits. I trust that  I have the ID's correct though if any are incorrect a comment with advice would be appreciated.

                                           Orange tip butterfly.
 
 Mother Shipton, a day flying moth.

                      Oedemera Nobilis,,,a Thick-legged Flower Beetle.
                                           
                                            Orange tip butterfly.
                                             
                                         Small Heath butterfly.
 
The small pool that the majority of birds were seen at. It appears to be a popular bathing area for them.  They are well hidden in almost the middle of the pool which is surrounded by vegetation and has handy trees for the birds to fly to preen and dry off! The odd dog that ventures in to the water does not seem to upset the birds fortunately!

                                              Large red damselfly

Tree pipit. The bird was up high in the tree but still a delight to see and hear!
 
Broad-bodied Chaser.

                                                     Grasshopper sp.

                                             Harlequin Ladybirds.

                                   Another Large red damselfly.
 
Large Skipper
 
 

                                             Longhorn Beetle sp

              
                                          Water Iris and friend.
 
Willow Warbler
                                               
                                               Banded demoiselle
 
That concludes this episode of the 'The darling buds (and beasties) of May 2020'.
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Posted by at

6 comments:

  1. Conehead541 June 2020 at 06:21

    The Large White is surely a female Orange Tip?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pam1 June 2020 at 08:09

      It certainly is a female Orange tip. Thank you for highlighting my error. My excuse...it had been a long day!;-)

      Delete
  2. John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"1 June 2020 at 06:58

    Lovely photos of things that many people would overlook. I've ben hearing more Cuckoos this year, but no Turtle Doves yet (they used to be here every year).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pam1 June 2020 at 08:15

      Thank you John. Good to know Cuckoos are doing well in your area. They are sad times with the Turtle Doves though.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous3 June 2020 at 11:11

    Lovely to read your latest post Pam, that's a super shot of a Tree Pipit, they are a delight to hear aren't they?
    No Cuckoo here this year but we have been lucky to have both Greenland Wheatear & Lesser Whitethroat in the fields 5 minutes walk from the house, this lockdown has certainly made us appreciate what we have locally!
    Stay well and safe my friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pam3 June 2020 at 16:29

      Good to hear from you Ruth. The Tree Pipit was a delight to hear, it was heard a fair way away from where it was perched!
      Super news with the Greenland Wheatear & Lesser Whitethroat locally to you! We have certainly had more time and the chance to see what we have locally.
      Stay safe and well yourself my friend.

      Delete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)