An unlucky sawfly

Spiked Shieldbug, Picromerus bidens, Holme NOA, 15th August 2015 with Turnip Sawfly, Athalia rosae

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.

Late Natterjacks practice their handwriting

Natterjack spawn, Holme NWT, 2nd August 2015

Six great August moths

Marbled Yellow Pearl, Evergestis extimalis, Holme NOA, 2nd August 2015

Ruddy Flat-body, Agonopterix subpropinquella, Hunstanton, 3rd Aug 2015 (caught by Keith & Joan Fox)

Gold-dot Slender, Euspilapteryx auroguttella, Hunstanton, 3rd Aug 2015 (caught by Keith & Joan Fox)

Scalloped Hook-tip, Hunstanton, 6th August 2015

Antler Moth, Holme NOA, 15th August 2015

Twin-spotted Footman, Holme NOA, 15th August 2015

Bee Wolfs and Ornate-tailed Digger Wasps

Male Bee Wolf, Philanthus triangulum, Holme NWT, August 16th 2015

Female Bee Wolf, Philanthus triangulum, at colony on slope above Saltings Car Park, Holme NWT, 16th August 2015

Ornate-tailed Digger Wasp, Cerceris rybyensis, Saltings Bee Wolf colony, 17th August 2015

22 butterfly species on the wing on the patch today !

Robert, Karla and I can add Speckled Wood and Holly Blue (pines) as well as Dark-green Fritillary, Small Heath and both Essex and Small Skippers (all in the dunes) to Adrian's excellent records, bringing the total to 22 butterfly species on the wing today. Common and Ruddy Darters, Blue-tailed and Emerald Damselflies, Banded Demoiselle, Four-spotted Chaser, Black-tailed Skimmer, Emperor, Migrant and Southern Hawkers were all on the wing too.

Chalkhill Blues and other butterflies



On this warm, sunny afternoon at Ringstead Downs I saw 2 Chalkhill Blue males flying among the Small Scabious on the North-east slope.  I hope these are the first of a good number and could be a sign that they bred successfully last year!

The Chalkhill Blue was just one of 17 different species in flight at the downs today. The others were:

Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Comma, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Painted Lady, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Small Copper, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Small/Essex Skipper.

Basil Thyme (Violet and White) at Ringstead Downs

I have found Basil Thyme Clinopodium acinos, with its usual violet flowers, on the North bank at Ringstead Downs for a number of years. However, while walking there on Tuesday I found a number of plants with white flowers. These were in a different location from the violet-flowered plants. Most books, including Stace only mention violet flowers, but Simon Harrap does mention both violet and white in his description. Basil Thyme is classed as Vulnerable in the Red List for England.

Violet-flowered Basil Thyme

White-flowered Basil Thyme

The Large Thyme Thymus pulegioides is also in full flower at Ringstead Downs. Most of these plants have the usual pinkish-purple flowers but there are some plants with pale pink flowers and a few plants with white flowers.

Some insects at Ringstead Downs

Meadow Grasshopper

A Harlequin Ladybird

Another Harlequin Ladybird

6-spot Burnet Moth on Small Scabious

A Drone-fly (species?)

Large White Butterfly on Spear Thistle

A pair of Small White Butterflies

Red Longhorn, Holme NOA, 18th July 2015