September 2011 - Butterflies, Dragonflies, Ladybirds and Treecreeper!

Saturday 24th: Had a walk around my local wood in the morning sunshine. Came across a flock of Blue and Long-tailed Tits. Amongst the flock were two Treecreepers. These birds are always a special treat to see and even more to photograph. For such a small bird, they are quick on their feet as they scramble up the bark of a tree - never down. I did see one of them flutter down the ground and then start climbing.

Aside from that flock, not much else. Most birds are either molting or coming to the end of their Summer-moult so tend to keep themselves hidden. But what I did notice was a large number of Ladybirds. These were the resident variety of 7-spots. No Harlequins seen.

 With Autumn now upon us, this is the best time of year to seek-out those elusive fungi. Below is a photo of the Cauliflower fungus (Sparassis crispa).

Later in the back garden I came across an unusual Moth; Angle Shades  (Phlogophora meticulosa). After taking photos, we placed it on a bush where it has stayed all afternoon and was still there at 6pm!

Oh...and Mel got stung again (the second this season) by a Wasp!

The garden provides cover and residence to a large population of House Sparrows. At the last count a few weeks ago, there was 109. Clearly not all of these live in the conifers, but may do, with others from surrounding gardens taking advantage of the variety on food on offer here. Nationally, they may be on the RSPB's Red List, with very low numbers in London, but here they are most definitely on OUR Green List!

Wednesday 21st: My first outing since recovering from sciatica problems with my back. So it was just a local trip up the road to Hatfield Moor and hopefully not too much time on my feet. Fairly uneventful overall. The highlights being 2 Hobbies that flew overhead, with one returning about 20 minutes later - unfortunately no photos. A good view of a GreenWoodpecker through binoculars while Sandra used the scope to get an even better view and later a Great-spotted Woodpecker. Still, quite a number of Emperor and Red Darter Dragonflies about with various other kinds. The ground is damp as would be expected after the rain that we've had recently and various Mushrooms\Toadstools were evident.

 Above: Just one of many Speckled-Wood Butterflies seen at Hatfield Moor (south).

 Above: This Small Copper Butterfly was the only one seen.

Above: Red Darter, as usual, this was the most numerous of the Dragonfly family.

Above: Gadwall in flight.

Above: Shaggy Ink Cap (Coprinus comatus)

Above: Silky Nolanea (Nolanea sericea).

 Above: Woolly Milk Cap (Lactarius torminosus).

Above: Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria).