 |
| 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 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 |
 |
| 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.
