Seven from Ringstead Downs, 20th May 2020

Xanthogramma pedissequm, female, Ringstead Downs, May 23rd 2020

Myathropa florea, female, Ringstead Downs, May 23rd 2020

Elm-grass root aphid gall, Tetraneuri ulmi, Ringsted Downs, 23rd May 2020

Broad-bodied Chaser, Ringsted Downs, 23rd May 2020

Rhopalus subrufus, Ringstead Downs, 23rd May 2020

Volucella bombylans, Ringstead Downs, May 23rd 2020

Common Malachite Beetle, Malachis bipustulatus, Ringstead Downs, 23rd May 2020

Hawkers at Holme

Just two of the many Migrant and Southern Hawkers at Holme Dunes.

Male Migrant Hawker Aeshna mixta

 

 Male Southern Hawker Aeshna cyanea

Off Patch: highlights from Grimston Warren and Bawsey Pits

The Groundbug Graptopeltus lynceus, Grimston warren, 29th August 2016

Black Darter, Grimston warren, 29th August 2016

The Carabid Omophron limbatum, Bawsey Pits, 29th August 2016

Golden-tabbed Robberfly Eurolmus rufibarbis, Basey Pits, 29th August 2016

Hairy Dragonfly

Hairy Dragonfly, female, Holme NWT, 22nd May 2016

Not the first to be seen this year, but the most obliging ! The first was on the wing on 14th May.

Small Red-eyed Damselfly

This Small Red-eyed Damselfly was in the dunes to the east of the pines on 15th August. On the 16th, there were several others on Redwell Marsh.

Some recent insects

A female Common Darter at Holme Dunes

A Small Skipper on Viper's-bugloss

A leaf-cutter bee; it flew off still clutching its bit of leaf (sorry about the poor photo!)

3 dead flies from my kitchen windowsill.

Scaeva pyrastri ?

Episyrphus balteatus ?

?

and what is this beastie on a grass stem at Ringstead Downs?

Red-veined Darter

Part of a significant influx to the eastern coastal counties of England, several of these colourful beasts could be seen on coastal pools on the patch from 30th June, including at least one pair in tandem which were busy egg-laying on 1st July.

Two fine-looking beasts from the NOA

The hoverfly Rhyngia campestris, Holme NOA, 25th May 2015

Large Red Damselfly, Holme NOA, 25th May 2015

A blast from the past: first record of Red-veined Darter on the patch

Red-veined Darter, Sympetrum fonscolombii, Holme NWT, 9th June 2006

Rubbish shot, but worth having here I think.

Autumn at Ringstead Downs

After the fog had cleared on Monday I went to Ringstead Downs on the off-chance that there might still be some butterflies around as it was sunny and still. As usual the temperature was about 3 degrees higher (17 degrees C) at the downs compared with Hunstanton. The only butterflies to be seen were 2 Walls and 3 Small Coppers sunning themselves on the NE slope near the Small Scabious. A female Common Darter was also warming herself in the sun.
The dew drops from the fog were still on the cobwebs which caused them to sparkle like jewels in the sunlight.
Among the fruits to be found were the "porcelain beads" of the Common Gromwell and the hooked fruits of Agrimony, a nightmare for my dog's long hair!  The hazel bushes exhibited both this year's nuts and next season's catkins.
A number of fungi were pushing through the grass (not identified).

Wall Brown

2 Small Coppers

Common Darter female

Common Gromwell fruits

Agrimony fruit

Hazel nut

Hazel catkins

Last of the year's dragons ?

Migrant Hawker, Holme NOA, 22nd September 2014

Common Darter, Holme NOA, 22nd September 2014

Patch goodies - July 7th and 14th

Emerald Damselfly, Holme NWT Grazing Marshes, 7th July 2014

Lesser Reedmace, Holme NWT Grazing Marshes, 7th July 2014

Water Scorpion, Holme NWT Grazing Marshes, 7th July 2014

Three-lined Soldier, Holme NWT Grazing Marshes, 7th July 2014

Four-barred Major, Holme NWT Grazing Marshes, 7th July 2014

 Lagria hirta, Hunstanton garden, 14th July 2014

Marsh Sow-thistle, Holme NWT Grazing Marshes, 14th July 2014

Four-spotted Footman, Holme NOA, 14th July 2014 - a first for the patch !

Knotted Pearlwort, Holme NWT, 14th July 2014

Frog Rush, Lavender Marsh, Holme NWT, 14th July 2014

Grass Stick-bug Chorosoma schillingi, Holme NWT, 14th July 2014

The sciarid fly Sciara hemerobioides, Holme NWT, 14th July 2014

Heath Assassin Bug, Holme NWT, 14th July 2014