Mixed Success On The Photo Front

After many attempts I got some acceptable images of Red-legged Partridges - the field margins are the only places to see them now as the crops are higher than they are.

Red-legged Partridges

We are seeing young warblers now, these juvenile Chiff Chaffs were seen this morning.

Juv Chiff Chaff

Juv Chiff Chaff in flight

Juv Chiff Chaffs

Song Thrush

Song Thrush

Insect news is good with a new hoverfly species for me, recording a Stripe-faced Drone Fly on a bramble flower.

Stripe-faced Drone Fly (Eristalis nemorum)

Meadow Brown butterflies are emerging and I saw six yesterday morning. Won't be long now until Ringlet and Gatekeepers join them and brighten the meadows even more.

Meadow Brown butterflies

Meadow Brown

Red-eyed Damselflies are being sighted at the hide - I saw two last Monday. Poor photos but I will try and get better ones before the end of the season.

Red-eyed Damselfly

Red-eyed Damselfly

 

Vestal Cuckoo Bee - a beautiful bumblebee

Vestal Cuckoo Bee

 I don't come across many species of fungi through spring and summer, so seeing this magnificent spread of Dryad's Saddle bracket fungus this morning was a lovely surprise. It's also called Pheasant's Back Mushroom.

Dryad's Saddle (Polyporus squamosus)

 A new plant in flower around the Mere is Meadow Vetchling. Widespread and common but also very fetching.

Meadow Vetchling