A blog and photo journal about the natural history of north-west England and beyond
Female Common Darter at Arne One of the more widespread Dragonflies with a preference for small ponds and areas of stagnant water. Strong flying this one was found on the edge of an area of woodland resting on Bramble. Common Lizard, again at Arne. Found Read More …
A young Common Lizard sunbathing close to the information hut/visitor centre at the RSPB’s Arne nature reserve. On a warm sunny afternoon in late August few other places I’d rather be than wandering through the lowland heath that lies adjacent to the millionaires playground of Read More …
Just across the estuary from Arnside a few highlights from a first visit to the peat bogs of Meathop Moss. One of the last remaining strongholds of the Large Heath Butterfly, in Spring the moss is better known for supporting large numbers of Green Hairstreaks Read More …
More catching up from September’s visit to Dorset and an area close to Puddletown, part of Thomas Hardy’s Egdon Heath. Despite the chilly breeze a surprising number of insects around with the predatory Red Darter and Common Lizard hoping to take advantage. With Higher Read More …
Common Lizard Enjoying a few rays of sunshine at Norden Heath close to the boundary with Kilwood Nature Reserve. Sand Lizard Great to see the lizard taking advantage of a south west facing banking recently cleared of Gorse. Young Common Lizard Silver Y Moth Common Earthbumball Read More …
The amazing compound eyes of a Common Darter at Higher Hyde Heath. Must be very strange being able to see in every direction all at the same time. Common Darter enjoying a few rays of sunshine. Sand Lizard (female). Although Higher Hyde Heath has Read More …
Sand Lizard (female) A few photographs from a far too brief visit to Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Higher Hyde Heath reserve in late July. Black Darter (female) One of several also plenty of the blue males around. In general compared to previous years far fewer Dragonflies Read More …
Thought I’d seen it all but this is a new one. 28C and gloriously sunny. Next year it’ll be Pimms and Iced Teas. More unexpected cargo being transported across the Millionaire’s playground of Poole harbour. White Admiral Again, another unexpected sighting. I didn’t really expect Read More …
The unmistakeable, male Keeled Skimmer catching the morning sunshine at Higher Hyde Heath. Aggressive and strongly territorial eventually I managed to approach it without spooking it. Fortunately in common with many other insects they do have a tendency to return to a favourite spots for Read More …