His Imperial Majesty

Heavily cropped photo of the single Purple Emperor (Apatura iris) observed at Havant Thicket this morning.

Purple Hairstreak (Favonius quercus) were also seen, White Admiral (Limenitis camilla) was notable by its absence on the day.

Dragonflies - Silver Lake, Dorset

We made two visits to this site over the weekend to look for dragonflies. Friday's visit was less successful because it became overcast and cooler such that the dragonfly activity was meagre. We observed the briefest fly-by of a male Broad Scarlet (Crocothemis erythraea) but failed to relocate it.

an overcast Silver Lake on Friday

Beewolf (Philanthus triangulum)

Pyramidal Orchid
(Anacamptis pyramidalis)

Grass Vetchling
(Lathyrus nissolia)

teneral fem. Black-tailed Skimmer 
(Orthetrum cancellatum)

Our visit today in full sunshine, yielded much better results with both Broad Scarlet and Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope) showing well.

Broad Scarlet

Lesser Emperor

Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperitor)
fem. ovipositing

Four-spotted Chaser
(Libellula quadrimaculata)

Black-tailed Skimmer

Hartland Moor - National Nature Reserve

This morning's visit enabled us to make contact with all our target species, including Heath Bee-fly (Bombilius minor) which was way too mobile to be photographed. Several were Lifers for A and I.

Mottled Bee-fly
(Thyridanthrax fenestratus)

Bee Wolf 
(Philanthus triangulum)

Silver-studded Blue
(Plebejus argus)

Large Sharp-tailed Bee
(Coelioxys Cf conoidea)

Green Eyed Flower Bee
(Anthophora bimaculata)

Chrysops sepulcralis

Emperor Moth
(Saturnia pavonia)

Keeled Skimmer
(Orthetrum coerulescens)

Purbeck Mason Wasp
(Pseudepipona herrichii)

Keeled Skimmer

Sand Lizard (Lacerta agilis)
excavation

Boat-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major)

Whilst A & C were busy with a weekend of crafting, P and I decided we would take the opportunity to do some local birding - and for once in an exceptionally long time, I suggested a “filthy twitch”, for the Boat-tailed Grackle, a presumed ship-assisted vagrant, which had jumped ship when reaching Southampton Water. The bird had originally been observed at the start of November on Calshot Spit, then relocated after a small absence a short distance away in Holbury.

On arrival with the rain so heavy, we were not hopeful of a sighting, and I left the camera in the back of the car. When it did show I took some “record shots” with the phone camera, but these do no justice to its blue / purple / black iridescent sheen. I retrieved the camera from the car, but having not checked the settings I took two dismally blurred abominations – before the bird promptly disappeared behind the fence. We left shortly afterwards as we were quite wet through and were both more than happy with the close views that we had enjoyed.

Addendum

On the 21st December Keith Betton (HOS Chairman) announced on the Hampshire Birding Group (Facebook) that DNA analysis of "some poop from our American friend .." had confirmed that the bird is in fact a Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus). On seeing the news I messaged P: "Turns out we twitched the wrong bird!".

Fluted Bird's Nest (Cyathus striatus)

I first noted this fungi on woodchip in the "Phil Haskell Wildlife Garden" two autumns back. However, all that remained were dark empty fibrous cups, set like latticework against the random shapes of decaying wood pulp. There was not enough detail for confirmation to species, so I looked out for them again last year - and they failed to show.

This autumn there is a splendid array of fruiting bodies in all stages of ripening, and they are also to be found under the picnic benches in the car park.

Garden Wildlife .. recent highlights .. incl. Odonata

Since my last garden wildlife update (see below July 21st) Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) has been present on several occasions. A single darter was present in the back garden on Aug 10th. On the 17th a pair were in tandem flight in the front garden, shortly afterwards an individual perched on the hardy fuchsia, provided plenty of opportunity for photography. Suggesting three may have been present?

Common Darter 10th August

Common Darter 17th August

On the 23rd of August, a Common Darter was in the back garden.

Common Darter 23rd August

Today, the sightings went to another level, initially a single male Common Darter was staking out New Pond, as the morning progressed a second male appeared and much territorial posturing followed, with neither male giving ground.

I was then completely thrilled when two other Common Darters appeared, one all but briefly, the second was a female and mating and egg-laying quickly took place with one of the attendant males. I managed to capture some terrible video footage of the pair in tandem (and the second male), which I am more than happy to share!

Other recent highlights include a Median Wasp (Dolichovespula media) photographed on the 10th of August and a Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) which was present on the 15th of August. Singles of Convolvulus Hawk-moth (Agrius convolvuli) and Portland Ribbon Wave (Idaea degeneraria) to 25W Blacklight on the night of 26th August. All four species being “new for garden” (NFG).

Median Wasp

Convolvulus Hawk-moth

Portland Ribbon Wave

Elephant Hawk-moth caterpillar

On the 12th of August, our neighbour knocked the door and presented us with an Elephant Hawk-moth (Deilephila elpenor) caterpillar – the first time that we have ever seen the larval stage of this species.

Humming-bird Hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) has been present almost daily with a maximum count of three on the 31st of August – with both Red Valerian (Valeriana rubra) and our neighbour’s Buddleja davidii providing plenty of nectar to attract this species along with a host of bees and butterflies.

Lizard, Cornwall .. long weekend, non-birding highlights

moth-trap set up at Barnside Cottage

Convolvulus Hawk-moth (Agrius convolvuli)

Dark Sword-grass (Agrotis ipsilon)

Nomophila noctuella

Palpita vitrealis

Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa)

Burnished Brass (Diachrysis chrysitis)

Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea)

Mullein Wave (Scopula marginepunctata)

Windmill Reserve arable weed margins

Emerald Damselfly (Lestes sponsa)

Small-flowered Catchfly (Silene gallica) LIFER

Annual Woundwort (Stachys annua) LIFER

Corn Spurrey (Spergula arvensis) LIFER

Ivy Bee (Colletes hederae) LIFER photo courtesy Tony B

Ping Pong Bat (Favolaschia calocera) photo courtesy Tony B