White Satin Moth emerging on Creeping Willow at Ainsdale Dunes
A few highlights from the sun-drenched Ainsdale Dune. Incredible how warm it can be when the heat starts to radiate back from dunes. Perfect conditions for the emergence of White Satin Moths on the Creeping Willow within the slacks.
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- White Satin Moth
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- Larvae of White Satin Moth
Natterjack Toad tadpoles
Probably a bit too warm for the tadpoles of the Natterjack Toad. A few more days of this and they’ll be left high and dry.
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- Northern Marsh Orchid
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- Hybrid Marsh Orchid
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- Early Marsh Orchid
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- Houndstongue
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- Round-leaved Wintergreen
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- Creeping Willow
Plenty of marsh orchids beginning to emerge with Northern Marsh Orchid and Early Marsh Orchid being particularly common. Also plenty of hybrids with several having characteristics more typical of the Southern Marsh Orchid. Possibly slightly early for Bee Orchids. Normally the area around the Sands lake is fairly reliable.
Bird wise the highlight was a Peregrine that came barrelling through and into a group of Starlings.