Invertebrates steal the show

Five species of Butterflies were on the wing today in the bright sun: Comma at NOA and 3 in the Downs, Brimstone male by Old Town duckpond, Red Admiral at top of Redwell, Peacock on Redwell and in the Downs and probably as many as 10 Small Tortoisehells scattered around the patch. 4 Common Quakers were caught in the trap last night.

I began and ended the day in Thornham Hbr - windy, cold and very sunny first thing and windy, cold and cloudy last thing. Lots of birdlife and much activity as the tide ebbed this morning and flowed tonight, but nothing out of the ordinary. A fine drake Eider was the highlight, accompanied by 10 Red-breasted Mergansers. A Med Gull flew inland and 2 Carrion Crows headed west into the wind. During the morning we noted 220 Redwings moving west in three flocks. Cetti's Warblers were singing on Holme Marsh and at Baker's Carr, where there was also a Chiffchaff in full song. A successful search for Daffodil Flies with Robert yielded what we hope are as easily identified as 'Daffodil Weevils' in the riverside patch by the saltings. A slow walk up Chalk Pit Lane revealed 2 Syrphus torvus hoverflies, a Green Shieldbug, a huge Wasp and numerous flies and other hymenopterans Robert and I have yet to identify.

Syrphus torvus, Chalk Pit Lane, 16th March 2014

Daffodil Fly, River Hun bank, Saltings 16th March 2014

Daffodil Weevil, River Hun bank, Saltings 16th March 2014

Green Shield Bug Palomena prasina, Chalk Pit Lane 16th March 2014